Ankle Replacement Abroad: Lithuania

Price in GBP

Price in EUR

Prices in GBP

What is included

Refund for EU patients

Prices in GBP

What is included

Refund for EU patients

Testimonials

Reviews & Facebook group

As seen on

Documentary: Brian from Canada

Our patient Brian filmed a documentary about his journey from Canada to Europe for a hip replacement surgery. He chose Lithuania because of its reputation as a go-to destination for joint replacement procedures.

ITV News: Sean from Wales

Our patient Sean Evans shares his story of knee replacement abroad on ITV news. He was on a 12-month waitlist for a knee replacement when he decided to apply for funding to have the surgery in Lithuania.

BBC: Bronagh from Northern Ireland

Our patient Bronagh was interviewed by the largest UK radio station – BBC radio. She shared her experience of travelling to Lithuania to undergo the hip replacement surgery.

Documentary: Edwina from USA (part 1)

Edwina from the United States traveled to Lithuania to get a hip replacement surgery. She shares the story about her decision to choose to have the surgery abroad, the procedure itself and her overall experience at the clinic.

Documentary: Edwina from USA (part 2)

On the 2nd day after her hip replacement, Edwina is talking about the sensations she’s having, her mobility level after the surgery, and is sharing her positive thoughts about the recovery process at the clinic.

Documentary: Edwina from USA (part 3)

Edwina from the USA talks about rehabilitation, gives her overall impressions of Lithuania and reflects on her experience of medical tourism. See Edwina walk with only one crutch two weeks after a total hip replacement!

Nordorthopaedics Center Of Excellence

One of the world’s leading medical technology companies and orthopaedic implant manufacturers, Smith & Nephew, have chosen Nordorthopaedics as its exclusive partner in the Baltic States and the clinic is now a Center of Excellence for this company in the region.

Experienced ankle and foot surgeon V. Kimtys

More than 20 years of working experience
500 ankle prosthetics performed
1.000 ankle fusion surgeries
Fluent in English
Co-author of scientific articles represented in various medical journals
Read more

Refund for EU patients

Get your surgery for free by claiming a refund from your local health board. The clinic helps patients with the documents needed to claim a refund after following the EU directive route for medical treatment abroad. It applies to patients who are insured under the systems of one of the EU countries and may not get the surgery due to long waiting times.

Our clinic

What sets us apart from other clinics?

Experienced surgeons

Our clinic works with highly professional and educated surgeons. They have 10-20 years of experience in the field of orthopaedic surgery. They each perform 500 surgeries per year. Moreover, our surgeons are members of various prestigious surgical societies both Lithuanian and international. Our joint replacement surgeon S. Tarasevicius is an author of 150 scientific publications in different medical journals. Find more information about our surgeons here.

Modern clinic

The clinic is equipped with modern diagnostic and surgical facilities, all analogous to those in Western European clinics. You will be looked after by professional English speaking staff. The wards are fully furnished and equipped with TV, WC and air conditioning. Free Wi-Fi is available while staying in the clinic.

One of the biggest surgical centres in the Baltics

Our clinic is one of the biggest surgical centres in the Baltic region. We work with patients from various countries, among which the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Canada etc.

Despite the size of the clinic we provide our patients with personal care and assistance. The majority of big public hospitals due to high volume of patients do not have enough resources and medical personnel to pay personal attention to each patient. Whereas we are fully focused on providing exceptional care and undivided attention for our patients.

Without any additional fees patients are tended in the clinic as long as they need. It may take up to 3 days. We only discharge our patients from the clinic when they are in a good health state and ready to leave.

Half the price

All inclusive price, which is twice lower than in Western European clinics.

Our clinic works with medical professionals of highest education and experience level and uses the same materials as the clinics in Western Europe. More often than not, the quality of our clinic‘s facilities exceed the ones in Western European clinics. The price difference is only due to considerably lower average salaries and taxes – which is the main reason for medical travel everywhere around the world.

Medical care of European Union standards

Our clinic works according to the highest standards set by the European Union. This helps to guarantee the quality of medical service.

24/7 personal assistance

During your entire stay in Lithuania you will receive personal care as well as transport to and from the clinic, hotel, and airport. You will not have to worry about a thing. You will be assisted from the moment of plane landing in Vilnius or Kaunas airport till your departure.

No waiting lines

We have no waiting line so we can schedule your surgery as soon as you are ready to do so.

All English speaking staff

Everyone in our clinic speaks English, including nurses, assistants and the surgeon.

Testimonials from former patients

You can find lots of testimonials from our previous patients online. Reading all the positive feedback on Google or Facebook can help you make a final decision.

Direct flights

2-3 hour regular flights operate from all main airports in the UK & Ireland. Lithuania is closer than you thought. You can find the list of direct flights here. Please note that airlines constantly add new flights and new destinations, therefore feel free to contact us if you need help choosing the flight that suits you best.

Credibility of country

Lithuania has been a part of the EU and NATO since 2004. Lithuania has one of the fastest growing economies in the whole region and the second fastest internet speed in the world. Lithuanian medical schools have trained many medical professionals who are highly appreciated and employed by many foreign hospitals, among which hospitals in the UK. Our clinic works according to the highest standards set to the medical institutions by the European Union.

COVID-19 situation: We're open!

Our clinic is open and operates in accordance with all safety requirements. All the procedures are implemented as usual. You can read about the latest COVID-19 updates here.

When ankle replacement is necessary?

Usually ankle replacement is recommended for patients complaining about permanent joint pain and decreased mobility. Such symptoms appear if chronic inflammatory joint disease is present (for example, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis) or a joint is damaged due to bone fraction or infection. However, it is important for a doctor to suggest this procedure in early stages of disease while the joint function might still be preserved.

In some cases the surgeon may recommend ankle fusion instead of ankle replacement. Ankle fusion is the surgery performed in order to alleviate the pain which occurs when ankle joint wears off. During the procedure the articular cartilage of the ankle joint is removed and tibia grows together with talus bone.

Ankle fusion - more appropriate to younger patients The ideal candidate for the ankle replacement procedure is a patient without major deformity of the ankle and who is about 55 years and older. Meanwhile, ankle fusion is considered to be more appropriate to younger patients who require heavy use of the ankle. However, the best and most reliable way to find the most beneficial type of ankle surgery is to discuss it with your doctor.

FAQ about ankle replacement with our surgeon

Play

Our orthopaedic surgeon Dr Vytautas Kimtys explains what to expect after ankle replacement surgery.

Ankle anatomy

The ankle joint works like a hinge allowing feet to perform flexion and extension. It is composed of three bones – two thigh bones, tibia and fibula and the talus. Joint stability is secured with medial and lateral collateral ligaments and tendons.

Procedure

Ankle replacement surgery is performed under general or spinal anaesthesia. Although a doctor will advise which type is better, you will make the final decision. The incision will be placed in front of the ankle. The procedure will start by removing damaged cartilage and reshaping bone surfaces. Smooth and firm surface will serve as a better platform for prosthesis. The next step is to place an artificial joint.
There are three types of ankle prostheses:

Scandinavian total ankle replacement – the structure of this prosthesis is the closest to normal ankle joint, therefore joint mobility is expected to be the greatest. However, in order to place the prosthesis it is essential to reshape all ankle forming bones. In some cases it is undesirable or even impossible.
InBone ankle replacement – this type of prosthesis consists of two parts. One part is deeply inserted into the thigh bone, the other forms a surface for the talus bone. This type of prosthesis is well known for high improvement in function and longevity.
Salto talaris ankle replacement – ankle prosthesis with the lowest profile, therefore reshaping is performed on relatively small level, leaving damaged tissues untouched. In the future it might cause inflammation and conversional surgery might be required.