Beijing Jishuitan Hospital Orthopedic Guide for International Patients (2026)

Jishuitan Hospital's orthopedic department is the largest and most experienced in China. Key reasons international patients choose it:

- Volume and experience: The hospital performs over 10,000 joint replacement surgeries per year. High volume consistently correlates with better outcomes and lower complication rates. - Specialist teams: Dedicated teams for each sub-specialty — joint, spine, sports medicine, hand surgery, trauma. You are treated by surgeons who do the same procedure every day. - Technology: Robotic-assisted knee and hip replacement (Mako system), navigation-guided spine surgery, arthroscopic sports medicine. Equipment matches the best Western centres. - Cost: Total knee replacement at Jishuitan runs approximately CNY ¥40,000–80,000 (roughly USD 5,500–11,000), compared to USD 30,000–60,000+ in the US. - Implant options: Both domestic and imported implants (Zimmer Biomet, Stryker, DePuy) are available. Imported implants cost more but are available on request.

Joint Surgery Department (关节外科) Specialises in total knee replacement (TKR), total hip replacement (THR), partial knee replacement, hip resurfacing, and revision surgery. This is Jishuitan's flagship department — the team has performed tens of thousands of procedures.

Spine Surgery Department (脊柱外科) Covers lumbar disc herniation, spinal stenosis, scoliosis correction, cervical spine surgery, and complex spinal deformity. Strong in minimally invasive techniques.

Sports Medicine Department (运动损伤科) ACL/PCL reconstruction, meniscus repair, shoulder rotator cuff surgery, ankle ligament repair. Well-established relationships with national sports teams.

Hand Surgery Department (手外科) One of the best hand surgery centres in China — complex finger/wrist reconstruction, replantation, carpal tunnel, Dupuytren's.

Trauma Department (创伤骨科) Complex fracture management, limb-lengthening, non-union treatment.

Jishuitan does not have a dedicated international medical department (unlike PUMCH or Fuwai), so most international patients go through the standard outpatient process:

Step 1: Initial online consultation (recommended) Before flying to Beijing, we strongly recommend an online consultation to confirm that Jishuitan is the right hospital and department for your condition, and that your imaging (X-ray, MRI) meets the requirements for an initial assessment.

Step 2: Appointment booking Book via 京医通 app (requires Chinese phone number) or through a patient escort service that can book on your behalf. Senior consultants (主任医师, 副主任医师) have the most experience — these slots are more competitive but worth pursuing.

Step 3: First outpatient visit Bring all existing imaging (X-ray films, MRI discs and reports) and a bilingual medical summary. The surgeon will assess your case and recommend a treatment plan. If surgery is indicated, you will be placed on a waiting list.

Step 4: Pre-surgical workup Before admission, you will need blood tests, ECG, chest X-ray, and anaesthesia assessment. These are done at Jishuitan or can sometimes be done at a local hospital and brought.

Step 5: Admission and surgery Waiting times for elective surgery vary — typically 2–8 weeks for joint replacement. Plan your Beijing stay accordingly.

Medical records to bring: - Current X-rays (standing, weight-bearing for knee/hip; specific views for spine) - MRI scans (disc/CD + original report) - Previous surgical records if you have had prior procedures - List of current medications (generic names, dosages) - Any known allergies (medications, metals, contrast dye) - Blood type if known

Practical preparation: - Arrange accommodation near the hospital. Jishuitan's main campus is in Xinjiekou, Xicheng District. Hotels within 1km include Courtyard by Marriott Xinjiekou and local business hotels. - Plan for a longer-than-expected hospital stay: joint replacement typically requires 5–10 days inpatient, spine surgery varies from 3 days to 2 weeks depending on complexity. - Arrange a post-discharge recovery plan before admission — you will not be discharged until you can manage basic mobility, but having support organised in advance is important. - International health insurance: Jishuitan accepts insurance reimbursement (you pay upfront and claim back). Bring your insurance card and pre-authorisation if required.

*Note: All costs below are paid directly to Jishuitan Hospital in CNY. Our patient escort service fee is quoted separately in USD.*

Approximate procedure costs (self-pay, CNY): - Outpatient consultation: CNY ¥50–500 depending on seniority - Knee/hip X-ray set: CNY ¥200–400 - MRI (knee or hip): CNY ¥600–1,200 - Total knee replacement (domestic implant): CNY ¥30,000–50,000 - Total knee replacement (imported implant, e.g. Zimmer): CNY ¥50,000–80,000 - Total hip replacement: CNY ¥40,000–90,000 depending on implant - Lumbar disc surgery (microdiscectomy): CNY ¥15,000–30,000 - Spinal fusion (1–2 levels): CNY ¥40,000–80,000 - ACL reconstruction: CNY ¥20,000–40,000 - Hospital stay: CNY ¥500–1,500 per day (standard ward)

Exchange reference: 1 USD ≈ 7.2 CNY (2026).

All costs are approximate and will be itemised by the hospital. Ask for a written cost estimate (费用预算) before admission.

Jishuitan has no dedicated English-language service. All signage, forms, kiosks, and medical consultations are in Chinese. For international patients, options are:

1. Professional patient escort with medical interpretation — the most practical approach. A bilingual escort accompanies you, interprets during the surgical consultation, assists with admission paperwork, and provides an English summary of the surgeon's plan.

2. Bring a Chinese-speaking companion — if you have a fluent Mandarin-speaking friend or colleague in Beijing, they can provide essential day-to-day support. Note that medical terminology is highly specialised — orthopedic and surgical terms in Chinese are technical and a non-medical interpreter may miss critical nuances.

3. Written communication — surgeons at Jishuitan often have some reading knowledge of medical English. Bringing your questions and key medical history in both English and Chinese (our medical record preparation service can help) significantly improves what can be communicated.

Post-surgery in Beijing: Jishuitan's physiotherapy team begins rehabilitation the day after joint replacement — early mobilisation is standard. Before discharge, a physiotherapist will demonstrate exercises and walking aids. You will be given a written rehabilitation plan in Chinese; ask your escort to translate the key milestones.

Travel home after surgery: - Joint replacement: most surgeons recommend waiting 4–6 weeks before long-haul flying (DVT risk). Plan your recovery accommodation in Beijing accordingly. - Spine surgery: 2–4 weeks minimum before long-haul flying; your surgeon will advise based on the specific procedure. - Bring compression stockings for the flight.

Medical records for home: Before leaving Beijing, obtain: - Discharge summary (出院小结) — request an English version if possible, or have it translated - Full operation report (手术记录) - Post-operative X-rays - Rehabilitation plan - Prescription for any ongoing medications

These documents are essential for your home-country orthopaedic follow-up.