From nearly 640,000 medical tourists arrivals in 2011 to approximately 1.2 million in 2018, the Malaysia medical tourism market was 1.2 Bn USD in 2020.
As per the recent survey, the medical tourism market is expected to be around 5.1 Bn USD by the end of 2028.
Malaysia welcomes millions of medical tourists annually and is evolving as a global giant in the medical tourism industry. It is home to 12 JCI-accredited hospitals in popular tourist destinations like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, etc. The Orthopedic Department of hospitals in Malaysia has some of the best medical professionals and offers healthcare services meeting international standards to patients.
The country offers advanced medical care and orthopedic treatment at cost-effective prices making it one of the evolving medical tourism destinations and setting a benchmark for what the healthcare industry in entire Asia should aspire to be.
Why Prefer Orthopedic Surgery in Malaysia?
Malaysia is emerging as a favorite destination for people seeking budget-friendly medical treatment because of the following reasons:
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Infrastructure & Technology: The reason people across the globe seek medical treatment in Malaysia is that Malaysian hospitals offer state-of-the-art infrastructure and advanced technology equivalent to the hospitals in the US, UK, and Europe. Malaysia has well-equipped hospitals and treatment centers with negligible waiting lists.
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Cost-effective treatment: Medical treatment in Malaysia is affordable and costs 60 percent less compared to medical treatment in the US, UK, and Europe. Orthopedic surgery in Malaysia is available at hospitals offering the latest amenities and state-of-the-art facilities.
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Well-qualified Orthopedic Surgeons: The orthopedic surgeons are well-qualified and highly experienced with their expertise in Joint replacement surgeries - both primary and revision surgeries of the hip, knee, shoulder, and Uni-Compartmental Knee replacement. They are well-trained and have achieved certifications from some of the prestigious medical institutes across Europe, the USA, and the UK.
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Success rates: The average success rate of orthopedic surgery in Malaysia is approximately 95% because of the advanced medical technology used.
What is Orthopedic Surgery and When is it Required?
Orthopedic surgery is a medical specialty that deals with the treatment of acute injuries, congenital and acquired as well as chronic arthritic conditions of bones, joints and the associated soft tissues, ligaments, nerves, and muscles. The physicians who specialize in performing orthopedic surgeries are orthopedic surgeons or orthopedists.
There are many conditions where orthopedic surgery is the only solution and they are:
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Conditions of the knee: tear of the anterior cruciate ligament, knee arthritis, meniscus cartilage tear, runners’ conditions affecting the knee, and limited cartilage defects of the knee.
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Conditions of the shoulder: Bursitis, Impingement Syndrome, Rotator Cuff Tear, Shoulder Separation, and Shoulder Dislocation.
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Conditions of the hip: Bursitis of the hip, Avascular Necrosis, and Arthritis of the Hip.
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Other conditions: Elbow Pain and Problems, Fibromyalgia, Foot Pain and Problems, Hand Pain and Problems, Neck Pain and Problems, Osteoporosis, Lower Back Pain, Paget’s disease of the Bone, Scoliosis, Fractures, and Soft-Tissue Injuries.
What are the Advantages and Benefits of Orthopedic Surgery?
In addition to improving the quality of life, orthopedic surgery:
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Is a curative treatment for several joint problems where excessive pain and reduced mobility has affected daily activities.
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Reduces pain and increases function.
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Corrects body postures and relocates bone dislocation.
What are the Common Orthopedic Surgeries Performed in Malaysia?
Some of the common orthopedic procedures performed at Malaysia’s top hospitals are:
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Knee arthroscopy and meniscectomy
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Carpal tunnel release
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Removal of support implant
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Knee/hip replacement
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Repair of femoral neck fracture
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Laminectomy
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Lumbar spinal fusion
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Repair of trochanteric fracture
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Repair of ankle fracture (fibula)
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Incise finger tendon sheath
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Shoulder arthroscopy and debridement
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Repair of the rotator cuff tendon
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Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
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Lumbar spinal fusion
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Knee arthroscopy and chondroplasty
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Debridement of skin/muscle/bone/fracture
What are the Risks Associated with Orthopedic Surgery?
Orthopedic surgery is one of the major and complicated surgery. Like other major surgeries, this surgical treatment also comes with a bunch of risks and complications. They are:
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Allergic reaction to medications
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Blood loss
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Heart attacks, stroke, bladder infections, kidney failure, or pneumonia
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Nerve blocks such as nerve damage or infection
If you notice any unfavorable change in your body, seek immediate medical help.
How Much Does Orthopedic Surgery Cost in Malaysia?
The entire cost of orthopedic surgery includes the expense of travel, food, accommodation, hospital fees, etc. Malaysia is one such popular medical destination people are traveling to for cost-effective medical treatment. Also, the cost of orthopedic surgery is nearly 50-60 percent lesser as compared to the US, or UK.
| Procedure | Price |
| 4,800-6,700 USD | |
| 4,800 USD | |
| 7,000 USD | |
| Arthroscopy surgery | 4,800-8,400 USD |
| 4,800-6,700 USD | |
| 8,400-9,000 USD |
What Factors to Look for While Selecting the Best Hospital in Malaysia?
Seeking the right hospital for budget-friendly medical treatment could be challenging especially if you’re in a foreign country. Following are the tips you should consider while looking for a good hospital in Malaysia:
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International Accreditation: The first thing you need to check about any hospital is its international accreditation. JCI (Joint Commission International) is an independent and non-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations across the globe. Other than JCI, you can also check for other accreditations and certifications such as ISO 9000, etc.
There are seven JCI (Joint Commission International) accredited hospitals in Malaysia. -
International Patients’ Center: Being on a medical visa, it is important to check whether the hospital has an individualized center for international patients with well-trained staff. The staff must provide assistance with medical visas, airfares, online medical consultation, doctor’s appointment arrangements, etc.
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Translator facility: Don’t forget to look for language translation or bi-lingual services while finalizing a hospital.
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Location and transportation: As everything will be new to you, you need to check the distance between the airport and the hospital and whether the hospital provides transportation services to international patients.
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Doctor’s credentials and experience: Along with the hospital information, you need to go through the doctor’s information and experience. Check for the doctor’s credentials online and what other patients have views about them.
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Additional factors: You need to check the hospital’s year of establishment, technologies used while diagnosing and treating, certifications, specialties, number of procedures performed annually, etc.
Hospitals in Malaysia are well-equipped with advanced technology and equipment that are used for orthopedic surgery.
Top Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery in Malaysia
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Gleneagles Hospital, Kuala Lumpur: Established in 1996, it is a 370-bedded multi-specialty hospital that has been providing patient safety and healthcare services for 25 years. In 2019, the hospital was awarded the Best Urology Service Provider and is known for its expertise in Cardiology, Oncology, and Orthopedic & Trauma Surgery.
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KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital, Ampang: Founded in 1996, it is the first in Malaysia to receive full accreditation status by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) for the 6th consecutive 4-year term 2016-2020. It is a 200-bedded multi-specialty hospital that offers medical and surgical services in 25 health departments such as Cardiology, Neurology, Orthopedic, Nephrology, Pediatrics, etc.
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Pantai Hospital, Kuala Lumpur: Established in 1974, the hospital has JCI accreditation along with a certification by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH). It is also a certified Baby-Friendly Hospital.
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Pantai Hospital Ayer Keroh, Malacca: It is a 35-year-old tertiary care hospital and is one of the 14 hospitals operated by Pantai Holdings Sdn Bhd (Pantai Group), Malaysia's leading private healthcare group.
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Pantai Hospital Penang: It is a 190-bedded multi-specialty hospital founded in 1970. It is known for its expertise in various medical specialties and is accredited by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) which is under the Ministry of Health.
Leading Orthopedic Surgeons in Malaysia
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Dr. Mahmood Merican: Dr. Merican is a Senior Orthopedic Surgeon with nearly 63 years of experience and an expert in performing orthopedic procedures, particularly of the spine and for cases of trauma.
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Dr. Sharifah Roohi: Dr. Roohi is a skilled Hand Surgeon with nearly five decades of vast experience. She has been honored with several awards and has over 50 publications published in national and international journals.
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Dr. Gobinder Singh: Dr. Singh is a leading Orthopedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon with over 45 years of experience. He holds expertise in joint reconstruction, joint replacement, and joint preservation procedures.
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Dr. Reza Ng Ching Soong: Dr. Soong is a skilled Orthopedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon with 24 years of experience. He has co-authored several international publications.
Get Your Malaysia Medical eVisa Online
Malaysia re-opened its tourism gates on April 1, 2022. Getting a medical visa in Malaysia is relatively easy. The country allows a single entry for 30 days per applicant. Also, the passport should be valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
To apply for a medical visa, you must have the:
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Applicant photo
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Passport personal details scan
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Last page of passport (if applicable)
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Hospital letter
The documentation requirement may vary depending on your country of origin.
Bottom Line
Malaysia is a good option if you’re looking for a medical tourism destination. The hospital offers healthcare services meeting international standards within your budget.
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