If you need orthopaedic surgery, the chances are you’re experiencing pain, stiffness and loss of mobility. You may have a long-term degenerative condition like osteoarthritis or maybe you have an overuse injury caused by making the same movement over and over again, perhaps due to your job or certain types of sport. By the time they’re considering surgery, most people’s quality of life is severely impacted by pain and loss of mobility which takes both a physical and a psychological toll.
Within the UK we are fortunate to have an excellent NHS service that is free at the point of need. Unfortunately, however, the NHS sometimes struggles to keep pace with demand and the result for patients can be lengthy waits for treatment, particularly surgery.
If you’re currently waiting for orthopaedic surgery you might be considering the possibility of going privately and weighing up the pros and cons of private versus NHS. In this blog we’ll cover some of the things to consider when thinking about private surgery.
What are the advantages of private orthopaedic surgery?
Without a doubt, there are many advantages to having your orthopaedic surgery carried out privately if you can. These include:
Shorter waiting times – Most private joint replacement surgeries take place within four to six weeks, which is considerably shorter than the NHS, which, unfortunately, often fails to meet the target set out in the NHS Constitution of 92% of patients waiting no longer than 18 weeks from non-urgent referral to their first treatment [1]. You can find out more about NHS waiting times, including checking your local hospital, here. There is also an argument that if people who can afford to go privately, or have suitable insurance, do so, it helps to relieve pressure on the system for those who can’t.
More rapid diagnostics and treatment – It’s not just surgery that is quicker if you go privately. You can also access more rapid diagnostics and non-surgical treatments by consulting with a private orthopaedic consultant. Sometimes less invasive treatments like pain-relieving steroid, hyaluronic acid or knee Arthrosamid injections can delay the need for surgery, which can be helpful if you’d rather wait for a more convenient time or simply postpone the need for surgical intervention for as long as possible. As surgeons, we recommend waiting as long as possible for joint replacement surgery as all prosthetic implants eventually wear out (normally around 20 years) and replacing a worn-out implant carries a great risk of complications compared to primary (initial) joint replacement surgery.
State-of-the-art technologies and treatments – One of the greatest advantages of choosing to have your orthopaedic surgery done privately is that it gives you access to the latest technologies and treatments which are not always available on the NHS. For example, Andrew Carrothers is a leading pioneer of Mako Robotic Arm-Assisted Joint Replacement surgery, which combines advanced computer software for surgical pre-planning and an innovative robotic arm which supports the surgeon within the operating theatre.
Read our articles: ‘Celebrating More Than 1000 Mako Joint Replacements’ and ‘What Our Patients Say About Mako Joint Replacement Surgery’ for more details.
Getting back on your feet sooner – It stands to reason that more rapid diagnosis and treatment means you will be on the road to recovery sooner and able to enjoy more of the things you love to do.
Personalised care – Opting for private orthopaedic surgery gives you greater flexibility and the chance to personalise your care to suit you. This includes choosing the timing of your surgery to suit you and your existing commitments, choosing a consultant who specialises in your particular condition or who has good reviews on the independent review site iwantgreatcare. It also means choosing the hospital that is most convenient for you.
If you are interested in finding out more about private orthopaedic surgery, as well as diagnostics and non-surgical treatments, contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is private orthopaedic surgery paid for?
There are two ways to pay for private orthopaedic surgery. If you have private medical insurance, either via work or that you have taken out yourself, you may be able to claim. Pre-authorisation is normally needed so be sure to check with your insurer before scheduling surgery. The other option is to self-fund your consultations, diagnostics and treatment.
How much does private orthopaedic surgery cost?
Costs vary so always check with your chosen orthopaedic consultant. You can find more details about Fees on Carrothers Orthopaedics’ ‘Fees’ page here. Before committing to any surgery the chosen hospital will provide a ‘fixed price quote’ for the treatment, with no escalating costs, so that the patient can make a fully informed decision before proceeding with private care.
Sources
[1] https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/
Talk to an orthopaedic consultant | Cambridge
We are always happy to provide information and guidance about the various treatment options, both surgical and non-surgical, including Mako Robotic Arm Assisted Surgery and conventional surgery.
For more information, please contact us.
Our consultation fees are clearly presented here.
For your convenience, we offer appointments at both Nuffield Hospital Cambridge and Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital.
