Traveling for the Best Orthopedic Surgeon: Is It Worth It?

Orthopedic injuries can be severe and have long-term consequences for your quality of life if your treatment isn’t performed correctly. For this reason, it’s important to work with the best orthopedic surgeons and choose the facilities that offer the most advanced treatments and technology. You can likely perform your procedure near home if you can access the best possible orthopedic care in your local area. However, many people lacking access to top-tier orthopedic facilities find that traveling for the best orthopedic surgeon is worth the effort.

At Colorado Advanced Orthopedics, medical tourism comprises a significant portion of our patient base. We regularly treat individuals from other parts of the state and country, as well as international patients, seeking the best orthopedic surgeons and surgical outcomes.

What Is Medical Tourism?

Medical tourism involves traveling to another location for high-quality medical care. Patients choose this option for a variety of medical services, such as:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Cardiac surgery
• Cancer treatment
• Fertility treatments
• Organ or tissue transplants
• Plastic surgery

Medical tourism allows you to choose the best surgeon and medical facility to perform the specific procedure you need, regardless of where you live. It levels the playing field for individuals who don’t have access to the best possible healthcare in their local area.

Why Should I Choose Medical Tourism for Orthopedic Surgery?

There are several significant benefits you’ll experience when you choose medical tourism for orthopedic surgery:

• Access to the best orthopedic surgeons – Not all orthopedic surgeons deliver the same outcomes. In many instances, working with the best orthopedic surgeons specializing in the type of procedure you need can help you reduce recovery time and achieve better surgical outcomes.
• Access to the most advanced technology – Recent advances in medical technology have dramatically improved the surgical outcomes possible. For example, surgeons and facilities that utilize robotic surgery systems can create more customized surgical plans and achieve greater levels of precision during surgery. This can dramatically improve your outcomes, speed up recovery time, and minimize your risk of complications.
• Access to procedures unavailable near your home – New surgical techniques are rapidly developing, but not all surgeons are fellowship-trained. If you’re unable to receive the proper procedure or techniques near home, traveling for surgery can provide you with access to the best treatment options for your specific injury.
• Faster access to medical services – Many surgical facilities are understaffed and cannot treat patients promptly. This is one of the reasons why the average wait time to see an orthopedic surgeon in the United States is 16.9 days (a 48% increase from 2017), and in some instances, the wait time can be significantly longer. If you have a severe injury that requires prompt treatment, medical tourism can potentially allow you to have your orthopedic surgery performed faster so you can start the recovery process as soon as possible.
• More comfortable recovery environment – Certain orthopedic procedures may require a multi-day stay in the hospital, and in some instances, you may even need to be admitted into an inpatient rehabilitation facility following your hospital stay. Medical tourism allows you to spend this initial recovery time in state-of-the-art facilities that will make your stay as comfortable as possible.

Colorado Advanced Orthopedics Provides the Top-Tier Treatments You Need

Medical tourism at Colorado Advanced Orthopedics continues to rise each year. Between July 1, 2020, and April 1, 2023, 60% of our orthopedic patients came from out of town. There are several important reasons why CAO has developed a reputation as a top-tier orthopedic surgery destination.

The most important reason patients travel from around Colorado and across the country to receive treatment at CAO is our exceptional medical care. Our orthopedic surgeons are all board-certified and fellowship-trained, ensuring they have the background and experience to deliver the high-quality surgical care you deserve. Based on our patient outcome data, our surgeons regularly achieve surgical outcomes exceeding industry standards, ensuring you receive the same quality of care commonly found in major metropolitan areas.

Pioneers Medical Center (PMC) recently received the Healthgrades 2024 Joint Replacement Excellence Award™, making it the only hospital on the Western Slope to be honored with this recognition. Recipients of this prestigious honor rank among the top 10% of hospitals nationwide for the specialty in which they have been recognized.

PMC was also awarded two 5-star ratings for total knee replacement and total hip replacement procedures. The Healthgrades Joint Replacement Excellence Award is given to hospitals that demonstrate exceptional clinical performance, with clinical outcomes being the sole criterion for winning the award. The 2024 hospital assessment focused on patient mortality and complication rates among 35 common conditions and procedures, and over 4,500 hospitals nationwide were evaluated.

In addition, the town of Meeker provides a beautiful location for you and your family to enjoy some downtime while you undergo your procedure. Meeker is surrounded by the White River National Forest, giving you access to world-class:

• Hiking
• Biking
• Camping
• Fishing
• Snowmobiling
• Motorized recreation trails
• Hunting
• Water sports

You can also soak in the quaint atmosphere in our lovely mountain town. Downtown Meeker contains excellent dining options and great shopping. Meeker also hosts various large events throughout the year, providing fun for the entire family.

If you’re looking for access to the best medical care and an opportunity to enjoy a beautiful mountain backdrop while you recover, Colorado Advanced Orthopedics provides the best of both worlds. Find out why many other patients have traveled to Meeker for orthopedic surgery.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment.