The knee is a complex joint in the body, one on which we rely heavily in our daily lives. If you receive a knee injury in an accident, it can create a crisis on multiple levels. Besides the pain and restricted movement, one of the biggest questions you may have is: what is it going to cost to fix? The answer can be based on many factors, of course, including where you live (knee surgeries tend to cost more in Los Angeles than they do in Riverside or San Bernardino, for example). Otherwise, it largely depends on the severity of the injury, expected recovery times, and so on. Let’s explore this question further.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Knee Surgery
Just as there are different types of knee injuries, there are different procedures to repair them—all clocking in at different costs. Some factors that may affect the cost of knee surgery include:
- The extent of the damage. If the bones are fractured or shattered, for instance, more reconstruction will need to be done.
- Whether the surgery is inpatient or outpatient. Inpatient surgeries generally cost more because a hospital stay is longer, and there’s a higher chance of an extended recovery time.
- Arthroscopic surgery versus partial/total knee replacement. Arthroscopic surgeries are less invasive, can usually be performed on an outpatient basis, and cost less. Partial or full knee replacements are more complex and require longer recovery times, so they cost more.
- If your body responds badly to surgery or your incisions get infected, it can increase your medical bills and recovery times.
- What your insurance covers.
Average Costs of Knee Procedures
Taking all these factors into account, the cost of knee surgery varies widely. That said, not taking insurance coverage into account, you can expect to pay somewhere in the following ranges in 2021:
- For arthroscopic knee surgeries: $5000-$25,000 (national average $18,975)
- For full knee replacements: $30,000-$50,000 (average $37,300)
Additional Costs to Consider
Of course, these figures only account for the knee surgery itself. There are many other issues that you need to factor into the actual, total cost of the knee injury and what it will take you to recover from it. These include:
- Cost of medications.
- Cost of hospital stays if any.
- Physical therapy.
- Time off work. (Any lost wages should be calculated into the actual cost of your injury.)
- Loss of earning capacity. (If your injury prevents you from working for an extended period.)
If your knee injury resulted from an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you should talk to an experienced Los Angeles-area work attorney or personal injury attorney as you may be eligible to have your surgery and other costs covered by the responsible party. Accident Defenders can help you receive a settlement that covers the actual cost of making you whole again. Give us a call at 323-818-HURT or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.