How much does a knee replacement cost? Can medical insurance reimburse me? Prof. Guan Zhenpeng: Imported joint prosthesis usually costs 30,000~60,000 dollars, while domestic ones cost 15,000~20,000 dollars. Together with other costs such as surgery, the total cost of using an imported joint is 50,000 to 70,000 yuan, while the cost of a domestic one is 50,000 to 60,000 yuan. In Beijing, the joint prosthesis can be reimbursed for 9,000 RMB, while other costs, including anesthesia, surgery, blood transfusion, etc., are reimbursed on a sliding scale. The situation varies from province to province, so you need to ask the health insurance department for details. What are your clinic hours? How can patients who want to have joint replacement surgery get your number? Prof. Guan Zhenpeng: My clinic hours are Monday morning and Wednesday afternoon at Xizhimen Campus of Peking University People’s Hospital. I am most specialized in artificial joint replacement, such as artificial knee replacement, artificial hip replacement, and revision surgery for hip and knee replacement. In particular, hip and knee replacements are needed due to rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis with high flexion contracture. In addition, O-legs, ectropion, and severe deformities, we are experienced in doing them. Patients with these needs can register with me or make an additional appointment through the website. What information should patients bring with them to the doctor’s appointment to determine if they can have surgery? Prof. Guan Zhenpeng: If knee replacement is needed, it is recommended to take a standing X-ray, and if the local hospital does not provide standing films, it is recommended to come to our hospital. In addition, orthopantomogram, lateral radiograph and patellofemoral axial radiograph of the knee joint are needed. As for the blood test, it is mainly to find out whether the patient suffers from hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, etc., and then make an assessment. Therefore, if the results are abnormal, it is best to bring them along with you to your appointment. How long does it take to line up the bed for surgery? Prof. Guan Zhenpeng: Usually it takes 2~3 weeks, the fastest is about a week, and the slowest is not more than a month. If the patient has an emergency, he/she will need to be contacted again.