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How Much Does Knee Replacement Cost in 2026?

Total billed: $30,000–$50,000. With insurance: $3,000–$10,000 out of pocket. Medicare: $2,000–$5,000. Outpatient surgery centers save 30–40% vs. hospital inpatient. Physical therapy adds $1,500–$4,000.

Updated Mar 2026Health$2K–$50K
Knee Replacement Cost Calculator
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⚠️  Get a pre-authorization from your insurer before scheduling. Request an itemized cost estimate from the surgery center. Ask if the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and physical therapist are all in-network to avoid surprise bills.

Knee Replacement Cost Breakdown

ComponentOutpatientHospital (1-2 nights)% of Total
Surgeon fee$5,000–$8,000$5,000–$10,00015–20%
Facility fee$8,000–$15,000$15,000–$25,00040–50%
Implant$4,000–$8,000$4,000–$10,00015–20%
Anesthesia$1,500–$3,000$2,000–$4,0005–8%
Physical therapy$1,500–$4,000$1,500–$4,0005–10%
Pre-op & imaging$500–$1,500$500–$1,5002–3%
Total billed$20,500–$39,500$28,000–$54,500100%
Where Your Money Goes
9%
23%
9%
51%
Surgeon fee 9%
Facility fee 23%
Implant 9%
Anesthesia 3%
Physical therapy 4%
Pre-op & imaging 1%
Total billed 51%

Pro Tips for Knee Replacement

Choose an outpatient surgery center if you qualify. Same-day or next-day discharge saves 30–40% on facility costs. You need to be generally healthy, have a BMI under 40, have someone to care for you at home, and live within 30 minutes of the facility. Most patients under 75 qualify. The surgery itself is identical to inpatient.
Physical therapy is not optional. Patients who complete a full PT program (6–12 weeks) have significantly better range of motion, less pain, and faster return to normal activities than those who skip it. Budget $1,500–$4,000 for PT — it is the single biggest factor in your outcome after the surgeon’s skill.
Ask about bundled pricing. Many surgery centers and hospitals offer a bundled or package price that includes the surgeon, facility, anesthesia, implant, and post-op follow-ups in one price. Bundled pricing is typically 10–20% cheaper than itemized billing and eliminates surprise bills from unknown providers.
Verify every provider is in-network. The surgeon may be in-network but the anesthesiologist, assistant surgeon, or physical therapist might not be. The No Surprises Act protects you from out-of-network emergency bills, but proactively confirming everyone is in-network before surgery prevents headaches.
Pre-hab before surgery saves recovery time. Strengthening your knee, quads, and hip muscles for 4–6 weeks before surgery (called “prehab”) leads to faster recovery and better outcomes. Ask your surgeon for a pre-surgery exercise program. Patients who do prehab return to walking unassisted 1–2 weeks faster.
Schedule early in the year if you have a high-deductible plan. Knee replacement will likely hit your out-of-pocket maximum. Having surgery in January or February means all your other medical expenses for the rest of the year are covered at 100% after you hit the max. This can save thousands on medications, PT, and follow-up visits.

Total vs. Partial Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement (TKR) replaces the entire knee joint and accounts for about 90% of knee replacements. Partial knee replacement (PKR) replaces only the damaged compartment and costs 15–20% less with a faster recovery (4–6 weeks vs 6–12 weeks). However, only 10–15% of patients are candidates for partial replacement — the damage must be limited to one compartment with intact ligaments. Partial replacements may need to be revised to a total replacement later (about 10–15% within 10 years), while total replacements last 20–25 years for most patients.

Recovery Timeline and Hidden Costs

Beyond surgery and PT, budget for: prescription pain medication ($50–$200), a walker or cane ($30–$80 or free from insurance), ice machine rental ($100–$300 or covered by insurance), home modifications (grab bars, raised toilet seat: $100–$300), and 4–8 weeks of lost income if your employer does not offer paid disability leave. Some patients need a short stay in an inpatient rehab facility ($5,000–$15,000, often covered by insurance) if they live alone or have a complicated recovery. Transportation to PT appointments (24–36 trips) is another cost people overlook.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does knee replacement cost without insurance?▼
$30,000–$50,000 for a total knee replacement at a hospital. Outpatient surgery centers charge $20,000–$35,000. Cash-pay discounts of 20–40% are common — ask the billing department. Medical tourism (Mexico, Costa Rica, India) costs $8,000–$15,000 all-inclusive but requires careful vetting of the surgeon and facility. Some domestic surgery centers offer all-inclusive cash prices of $18,000–$25,000.
How much does knee replacement cost with Medicare?▼
With Original Medicare: Part A covers the hospital stay ($1,632 deductible in 2024), Part B covers the surgeon at 80% ($240 deductible then 20% coinsurance). Total out-of-pocket: approximately $2,000–$5,000. With a Medigap supplement plan (Plan F or G), nearly all out-of-pocket costs are covered, bringing your cost to $0–$500. Medicare Advantage plans vary — check your specific plan’s surgery benefit.
How long does a knee replacement last?▼
Modern knee implants last 20–25 years for 85–90% of patients. Factors that affect longevity: body weight (lower weight = longer lasting), activity level (low-impact activities preserve the implant), implant quality, and surgical technique. Revision surgery (replacing a worn implant) costs 20–40% more than the original and has a longer recovery. Most surgeons recommend knee replacement for patients who expect to outlive the implant only if the pain significantly impacts quality of life.
Is robotic knee replacement worth the extra cost?▼
Robotic-assisted knee replacement adds $2,000–$5,000 to the cost. Studies show slightly better implant alignment and marginally faster early recovery, but no significant difference in long-term outcomes or implant longevity compared to conventional surgery by an experienced surgeon. It may be worth it if your surgeon is experienced with the robotic system. An experienced conventional surgeon typically produces equal or better results than an inexperienced robotic surgeon.
How much does physical therapy cost after knee replacement?▼
Without insurance: $100–$250 per session, with 12–36 sessions typical (total $1,200–$9,000). With insurance: $20–$50 copay per session. Medicare covers PT at 80% after the Part B deductible. Most patients do 2–3 sessions per week for 6–12 weeks. Home health PT (therapist comes to you for the first 2–4 weeks) is covered by most insurance and Medicare.
Related Calculators
Hip ReplacementPhysical TherapyShoulder SurgeryACL SurgeryHealth InsuranceMedicare Cost
📊 Data Sources
Costs from Healthcare Bluebook, CMS DRG payment data, AAOS joint replacement registry, and FAIR Health consumer data. Updated March 2026. Not medical advice. Methodology.