Hip & Knee replacement, ACL abroad! Premium quality, safe and reasonably priced.
Hello!
Orthopaedic Riga is the number one choice for many UK patients who are considering undergoing a hip replacement, knee replacement or ACL reconstruction procedures abroad.
| Procedure | Surgery | Implant |
| Hip replacement | £ 3 380 | from £ 1 740 |
| Knee replacement | £ 3 380 | £ 2 480 |
| ACL reconstruction | £ 2 380 | £ 540 |
| 1700 procedures per year | 97,2
% success rate | 2,8
% revision rate |
Our two leading orthopaedic surgeons each perform over 850 procedures annually.
Patient Reviews
Annabel McMeeking, Livingston
I am 75 years old living in UK. So I needed a total knee replacement surgery. I checked with a clinic at home to go privately and was quoted £12,500. This was a huge amount of money to my husband and myself. Read more
Paul Duncan, Co Tyrone
I have had my right hip totally replaced at Orthopaedic Riga in Sep 2017. I would like to thank them for their excellent work! At the Clinic you feel a difference to a big clinical hospital, it’s a more personal experience. Read more
Matthew Murphy, co Louth Eire
A friend of mine recommended going to Latvia for a knee replacement procedure. I googled and researched it and found Orthopaedic Riga. Read more
Suada Mohamud, London
My son is 16 years old; he plays professional basketball. He had an inquiry. Our doctor at home said my son had to undergo ACL reconstruction surgery and we finally decided to go ahead. Read more
Graeme Milne, Cookham
Romiel from Orthopaedic Riga could not have been more helpful and was very professional. The hospital was only built around a year ago and was spotlessly clean. Read more
Orthopaedic Surgery
Table Of Contents:
Joint Replacement
Knee Replacement
Hip Replacement
Other Orthopaedic Procedures
ACL Surgery
Spinal Fusion
More About Arthroscopic Surgery
After Arthroscopic Surgery
Less Common But No Less Important Forms Surgery
Internal Fixation
Osteotomy
Education and Training of Orthopaedic Surgeons
What Conditions do They Treat?
Types of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Orthopaedic Generalist
Orthopaedic Surgery Specialists
Medical Orthopaedist
How Does a Visit to the Orthopaedist Usually Unfold?
Orthopaedic Riga: Our Surgeons
Dr. Alexander Omelchenko – Senior Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr. Wissam Raphael – Senior Orthopaedic Surgeon
Some of the Many Reasons to Have Your Surgery at Orthopaedic Riga
Orthopaedic surgery is a type of surgery that addresses and treats skeletal problems of the joints, bones and ligaments. These may be problems that originated at birth or they may be the result of injury or, in the case of many joint related problems, a result of age.
Originally the orthopaedic surgeon’s mission was to treat skeletal deformities in children (hence the name ortho-“paedic”), typically by using a variety of braces to try and straighten the child’s bones. Over time however improvements in anaesthesia as well as the evolution of aseptic surgical practices meant that orthopaedics as a discipline was able to broaden its range to include procedures involving the bones, joints and ligaments as previously mentioned. Today, of the more than 320 million surgeries performed each year worldwide a significant percentage of them are some type of orthopaedic procedure.
While some orthopaedic surgeons maintain a general practice others focus on specific types of surgery and such is the case with Orthopaedic Riga. Our world-class surgical team specialise in:
- Hip replacement
- Knee replacement
- ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction
If you believe you are in need of any of these procedures contact our UK Patient Coordinator at the number we’ll provide at the bottom of this guide.
Popular Types of Orthopaedic Surgery
After Arthroscopic Surgery
While arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive orthopaedic surgery and is most often performed on an outpatient basis there may be extenuating circumstances that call for the patient to stay overnight for observation. These instances are rare however.
In general you are likely to experience an overall feeling of fatigue for several days after arthroscopic surgery. You may have a feeling of numbness in and around the knee and the knee will definitely be swollen and discoloured. Bruising and swelling may extend down the shin to the ankle as well although it should go away within a couple of days. The most important things to remember in the early days after surgery is to keep the knee clean and dry and to keep your eyes open for signs of possible infection.
The primary goal of arthroscopic ACL surgery is to restore normal strength and mobility in the knee. It is also crucial to re-establish stability in the knee joint and to prevent, or at least minimize, any loss of function.
Orthopaedic Surgeons
The orthopaedist is on the front lines when it comes to diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Millions of people worldwide are hospitalized every year with joint, ligament and other skeletal problems and without the orthopaedic surgeon most would be facing an uncertain future whose defining characteristics would be pain and incapacity. Thankfully the surgeon is there to fill the treatment void and get these individuals back on their feet. It’s important work that has a larger positive effect than most people realise on our society as a whole.
Education and Training of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Orthopaedic surgeons must undergo extensive training in both the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and conditions of the musculoskeletal system. That typically includes up to 14 years of specialised training and formal education. There are not many other professions that call for such extensive training so in order to complete such a rigorous preparatory regimen the aspiring surgeon needs to be completely dedicated to the goal. Education and on the job training required to become such a surgeon includes:
- 4 years of undergraduate work.
- 4 years of medical school.
- 5 years of orthopaedic residency.
- 1 additional year of specialised training (common though not mandatory).
Following the completion of their residency and any specialised training they must pass both a written and oral exam and demonstrate their overall mastery by way of a peer review process in order to become board certified. It’s a long and arduous path but one that typically results in only the best, most dedicated and qualified individuals becoming orthopaedic surgeons.
But the process doesn’t end there because most will need to undergo recertification every 10 years in order to prove their skills are still sharp and that they have been keeping abreast of recent developments in orthopaedic medicine.
What Conditions do They Treat?
The number and type of musculoskeletal conditions the surgeon treats makes for a long list. Be aware however, as we’ll see below, a good many orthopaedic surgeons find it more useful to specialise in treatment of a given condition or set of conditions (such as joint reconstruction). That said the conditions typically treated by orthopaedic surgeons includes:
- Back injuries, ruptured discs, sciatica and more.
- Fracture bones and dislocated joints.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Osteoporosis.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Bowed legs, knock knees, club foot.
- Abnormalities of the hands and feet.
- Orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine.
- Work related injuries.
- Sprains, strains and torn ligaments.
- And more…
Types of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Orthopaedic Generalist – This type of orthopaedist treats a wide range of musculoskeletal issues and may utilise a variety of surgical techniques ranging from traditional open surgery to state of the art arthroscopic procedures. The orthopaedic generalist may wind up treating one type of condition more than others but that does not mean they specialise in that area, but rather that simply reflects the cases that are being brought to them. Generalists may have their own practice or they may work in hospitals where they are likely to be exposed to every conceivable type of orthopaedic condition. It is not uncommon as well for a generalist to decide in time to focus on one type of orthopaedic procedure and thereby become a specialist.
Orthopaedic Surgery Specialists – There are nearly as many types of orthopaedic specialist as there are bones in the human body. Some will focus on conditions of the hand and arms, others will focus on conditions of the back and may only perform spinal fusions, others will specialise in sports injuries while still others will focus on trauma surgery. At Orthopaedic Riga our world class orthopaedic surgeons focus on hip and knee replacement surgery as well as the repair and/or reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL.
Medical Orthopaedist – The medical orthopaedist is not a surgeon but rather an orthopaedic doctor who treats a range of conditions with non-surgical techniques and therapies. The medical orthopaedist will typically treat muscle sprains and strains or perhaps fractures as well. Tendonitis, bursitis and something like repetitive stress syndrome or carpal tunnel syndrome may also be treated by the medical orthopaedist. The medical orthopaedist also sees a large number of patients with age-related conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis that require treatment but do not always require surgery. Treatments may include physical therapy, dietary changes, lifestyle changes and/or medication.
How Does a Visit to the Orthopaedist Usually Unfold?
Your visit to the orthopaedic clinic will typically begin with a face to face interview during which time you will be asked questions relevant to your particular condition. There will likely be a physical exam and there may be blood tests, X-rays or other diagnostic procedures. The surgeon will then discuss treatment options with you including radiology vs orthopaedic surgery and make sure you understand the pros and cons of each option so that you can make an informed decision.
Dr. Alexander Omelchenko – Senior Orthopaedic Surgeon
Doctor Omelchenko is a highly acclaimed surgeon with more than 30 years of experience in general orthopaedics. Each year Dr Omelchenko performs more than 850 procedures on patients from all over Europe, North America and Asia. He is recognized as an expert in the fields of total hip replacement, total knee replacement as well as ACL/PCL repairs, shoulder joint arthroscopy, ligament tears and more. You would be hard pressed to find a more competent, more experienced or more acclaimed orthopaedic surgeon anywhere. The doctor also speaks fluent English. His CV is an impressive one to say the least:
- Graduate of Riga P. Stradina University in trauma and orthopaedic surgery in 1986.
- He gained valuable experience and honed his skills while conducting further studies in prestigious medical institutions in Sweden, France, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany.
- He is on the board of the Latvian Knee Surgery, Arthroscopy and Sport Trauma Association.
- He is a member of the Latvian Trauma and Orthopaedic Association.
- As well as being a member of the Latvian Burns Association.
Doctor Omelchenko has also attended numerous conferences and congresses over the years including:
- The International Orthopaedic Congress, Sweden.
- Hip Symposium: 25 Years of Hydroxyapatite, DePuy Institute, Switzerland.
- Masterclass: Difficult Primary and Revision Knee, Zimmer Institute, Latvia.
- Hip and Knee, Zimmer Institute, Lithuania.
- Masterclass Hip and Knee, Zimmer Institute, Austria.
- Basic Total Knee Replacement, DePuy Institute, Lithuania.
- Total Joint Replacement, Latvia.
- Shoulder and Knee Arthroscopy, Stryker, Lithuania.
- Upper Limb Periarticular Fractures, AOTrauma, Estonia.
- And many more…
Some of the Reasons to Choose Orthopaedic Riga Include:
- The quality of our facility – Orthopaedic Riga took as its model the top medical facilities in Europe. There are hotel-style accommodations for inpatients that include high-speed WiFi, air conditioning, flat screen TV and accommodations for a friend or family member so that you won’t feel isolated during your stay with us.
- The quality of our staff – As we outlined above our senior orthopaedic surgeons are some of the most accomplished you will find anywhere. Whether you’re having hip replacement, knee replacement or ACL surgery you are in the best of hands at Orthopaedic Riga. Our support staff are also top of the line and make it their mission to help you have the most comfortable and successful experience possible.
- State of the Art Equipment and Surgical Implants – Each and every surgical theatre at Orthopaedic Riga is outfitted with state of the art equipment that allows our surgical staff to deliver the highest quality results in the least amount of time for a price that will surprise you. Every implant used on our patients is sourced from the highest quality manufacturers including Johnson & Johnson, Smith & Nephew, Zimmer, and B-Braun.
- An end to waiting – In the UK you will likely have to wait many months before being able to have your joint replacement surgery. At Orthopaedic Riga we can typically arrange for surgery within 2 weeks (possibly less) of the time your documentation, health questionnaire and preliminary qualifications have been reviewed and approved.
- 10 year follow up – That’s right. 10 years. If you feel you need assistance or have questions our patient coordinator will be at your disposal via telephone or email at any time during the 10 year period following your surgery at Orthopaedic Riga. If you need answers or information just get in touch.
- Half what you would pay in London – At Orthopaedic Riga you will get the same quality of service you would get in London (many patients say it is in fact better) at half the price you would pay for the exact same procedure in the British capital. Our orthopaedic surgery costs are as follows:
| Procedure | Surgery | Implant |
| Hip replacement | £ 3 380 | from £ 1 740 |
| Knee replacement | £ 3 380 | £ 2 480 |
| ACL reconstruction | £ 2 380 | £ 540 |
- No language barrier – If you have ever travelled to a place like Thailand for a medical procedure you know how rare it is to find someone who actually speaks English. That is never a problem at Orthopaedic Riga. Our entire staff of surgeons, nurses and physical therapists are proficient in English.
- Convenient location – Riga is a mere 2 ½ hours by air from Heathrow which means you can leave your home after breakfast and be speaking to your surgeon in person after you’ve had a light lunch in historic downtown Riga. There are a number of airlines with regular service between the UK and Riga including Ryanair, Air Baltic and more.
- Full liability insurance – Orthopaedic Riga provide full surgeon’s liability insurance up to €30,000 on each of our orthopaedic surgeons.
- Post-operative rehab – In the days immediately following private orthopedic surgery our rehab specialists will work with your surgeon to devise an appropriate and effective rehab program for you. If you wish you also have the option of staying at the clinic for an addition period of 1 – 3 weeks in order to take advantage of our rehab staff and facilities.
Conclusion
Orthopaedic surgeries have come a long way in the past century and today there is no reason to suffer in silence or to endure excruciating wait periods while NHS decide whether your surgical needs are legitimate. Contact Orthopaedic Riga orthopaedic surgery clinic where the future of orthopaedic surgery is here today. That’s Orthopaedic Riga, on 0207 993 8535.