Treatment Options AbroadMeniscus tears are one of the most common knee injuries among adults, athletes, and physically active individuals. When left untreated, they can lead to chronic pain, swelling, and long-term joint damage. But for uninsured Americans, Canadians, expats, and retirees, the cost of meniscus surgery in the U.S. or Canada is often shockingly high, making treatment financially out of reach. This is why many patients are now choosing medical tourism to access safe, high-quality orthopedic care at far more affordable prices abroad.
This guide breaks down how much meniscus surgery costs without insurance, compares U.S. vs. overseas prices, and highlights the best medical tourism destinations for knee procedures.
Meniscus Surgery Cost Without Insurance in the U.S.
Meniscus surgery (meniscectomy or meniscus repair) is typically performed arthroscopically, but U.S. pricing remains extremely high due to facility fees, surgeon costs, imaging, and anesthesia.
The cost of meniscus surgery without insurance typically ranges from $5,000 to $15,000, with simpler arthroscopic procedures often costing around $5,000–$10,000 and more complex repairs reaching $8,000–$15,000 depending on the facility, surgeon, and rehab needs.
Average U.S. Self-Pay Costs
| Procedure Type | U.S. Cost (Without Insurance) |
|---|---|
| Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy | $7,000 – $18,000 |
| Meniscus Repair (more complex) | $12,000 – $30,000 |
| Bilateral / both knees (if required) | $15,000 – $40,000+ |
Extras that increase the bill:
- MRI scan: $500 – $2,000
- Surgeon fees billed separately
- Facility or operating room charges
- Pre-op labs
- Post-op physical therapy
For uninsured patients, the total can easily exceed $20,000–$30,000, even for a simple outpatient procedure.
Meniscus Surgery Cost Abroad (Affordable Options)
Medical tourism offers significant savings for knee procedures. Countries like Mexico, Turkey, Costa Rica, Thailand, and South Korea provide U.S.-equivalent orthopedic care at a fraction of the cost.
Average Prices by Country
| Country | Meniscus Surgery Cost |
|---|---|
| Mexico | $3,000 – $6,500 |
| Costa Rica | $3,200 – $6,800 |
| Turkey | $3,500 – $7,000 |
| Thailand | $4,000 – $8,000 |
| South Korea | $4,500 – $9,000 |
Most international packages include:
- Consultation
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Surgeon fees
- Anesthesia
- Hospital stay (if needed)
- Postoperative follow-ups
- Airport pickup in many cases
For uninsured patients, the savings can reach 50–70%, even after adding travel costs.
Best Destinations for Meniscus Surgery Abroad
🇲🇽 Mexico
Mexico remains the most convenient and affordable option for U.S. and Canadian patients needing knee surgery quickly and safely.
Why Mexico is popular:
- Arthroscopic surgery available at modern orthopedic centers
- U.S.-trained sports medicine surgeons
- Very affordable pricing
- Short travel time for follow-up appointments
🇹🇷 Turkey
Turkey is known globally for advanced orthopedic care, arthroscopic knee surgery, and sports injury treatment.
Why Turkey is ideal for meniscus surgery:
- High-volume orthopedic hospitals
- Modern operating rooms and imaging technology
- Excellent patient coordination services
- All-inclusive medical tourism packages
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Costa Rica is favored by North American patients seeking safe, accredited, high-quality orthopedic care.
Why Costa Rica stands out:
- Western-trained knee specialists
- Transparent pricing
- Great for recovery due to calm, peaceful environment
- Strong medical tourism infrastructure
🇹🇭 Thailand
Thailand provides luxury-level hospital experiences while offering affordable orthopedic procedures.
Why Thailand works well for knee surgery:
- World-class orthopedic departments
- Advanced arthroscopy techniques
- Smooth international patient process
🇰🇷 South Korea
South Korea offers some of the most advanced orthopedic and sports medicine technologies in the world.
Why South Korea is preferred for complex cases:
- Precision arthroscopy
- Highly specialized orthopedic surgeons
- Excellent outcomes for athletes and active patients
Benefits of Getting Meniscus Surgery Abroad
- 50–70% lower cost than U.S./Canada
- Minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques
- Highly trained orthopedic surgeons
- Faster scheduling (no long wait times)
- Modern imaging (MRI, CT) available at lower prices
- Comfortable recovery facilities
- Transparent package pricing
For uninsured patients, this combination of affordability and surgical expertise is a major advantage.
Tips for Planning Your Meniscus Surgery Trip
- Bring or upload your MRI beforehand
- Confirm if you need meniscectomy or meniscus repair
- Ask for total package pricing
- Check surgeon experience with arthroscopy
- Plan for 5–10 days of recovery before flying back
- Prepare for physical therapy after returning home
FAQs
1. How much is meniscus surgery without insurance?
Meniscus surgery without insurance typically costs $7,000–$18,000 for a meniscectomy and $12,000–$30,000 for meniscus repair in the U.S.
2. What is the cheapest country for meniscus surgery?
Mexico offers the lowest pricing, with arthroscopic meniscus surgery costing $3,000–$6,500, depending on the complexity.
3. Is meniscus repair more expensive than meniscectomy?
Yes. Meniscus repair costs more because it requires suturing the tear, longer operating time, and more complex surgical work.
4. Do hospitals abroad include MRI in the package?
Some do. Others charge separately, but MRI pricing abroad is usually 50–70% cheaper than in the U.S.
5. How long is recovery after meniscus surgery?
Most patients resume light activities within 1–2 weeks. Full recovery takes 4–6 weeks for meniscectomy and 3–4 months for meniscus repair.
6. Is it safe to get knee surgery abroad?
Yes. Countries like Mexico, Turkey, Thailand, and Costa Rica have internationally accredited orthopedic hospitals and experienced knee surgeons.
7. Does medical tourism really save money?
Absolutely. Patients typically save 50–70% even after considering travel costs.
8. Should I get both knees treated in one trip if needed?
It’s possible and commonly done, but your surgeon will decide based on your arthroscopy results.
9. Will I need physical therapy after returning home?
Yes. Most surgeons recommend post-op physical therapy for full recovery.
10. Can I fly soon after meniscus surgery abroad?
Most patients can safely fly 5–7 days after a meniscectomy and 7–10 days after a repair, depending on swelling and mobility.
Conclusion
Meniscus surgery without insurance in the U.S. ranges from $7,000 to $30,000, depending on the complexity of the tear and whether repair or removal is required. For many uninsured patients, these prices simply aren’t feasible. However, medical tourism destinations such as Mexico, Turkey, Costa Rica, Thailand, and South Korea offer the same arthroscopic knee surgery for $3,000 to $7,000, making treatment far more affordable without compromising on quality or safety.
At MyMediTour, we help uninsured patients access accredited orthopedic surgeons and trusted hospitals abroad. Contact MyMediTour to explore safe, affordable options for your meniscus surgery.
