Arthritis Treatment in India 2024

Overview

Arthritis is a common condition in India, affecting millions with chronic joint pain and disability. It encompasses various forms, with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis being the most prevalent. The treatment landscape in India offers a range of options from medication and physical therapy to advanced surgical interventions. Approximately 15% of the Indian population, or nearly 180 million people, suffer from some form of arthritis, emphasizing the need for effective management strategies.

Dr. Pramod Bhor, a renowned Joint Replacement Surgeon based in Mumbai, shares his insights: 

"Arthritis treatment requires a multifaceted treatment approach. From advanced biological treatments to culturally adapted lifestyle changes and surgical options, each patient's treatment plan must be tailored to their specific conditions and needs. Early intervention is crucial to manage symptoms effectively and improve quality of life."

Commonly seen symptoms are:

• Pain
• Redness of the joint
• Stiffness
• Swelling of the joint
• Tenderness
• Warmth

Arthritis is usually diagnosed with the help of a blood test to check uric acid levels. An x-ray of the affected joint might also be required to determine cartilage health.

If you're experiencing arthritis or noticing joint discomfort, it's crucial to seek expert advice. Consult with an orthopedic specialist to explore your treatment options and tailor a plan that best suits your health requirements.

Let's explore how to tackle arthritis head-on, affordably and effectively.  

Searching for the best doctors for arthritis treatment? Your search is over! We have curated a list of some of the most renowned doctors just for you!

Top Arthritis Specialists in India

The first step in starting your arthritis treatment is going to the right doctor. 

So, which specialists should you see for your condition? 

We have made a city-wise list of the top arthritis specialists in India to make your search a little bit easier.

Mumbai

1. Dr. Samir Rajadhyaksha

• MBBS, MD in General Medicine, CCT in Rheumatology
• Over 29 years of experience
• He practices at Global Hospital, Parel

2. Dr. Dipti Patel

• MBBS, CCT in Rheumatology
• Over 19 years of experience
• She practices at Wockhardt Hospital

3.Dr. S.M. Akerkar

• MBBS, MD in General Medicine, Fellowship in Rheumatology
• Over 18 years of experience
• He practices at Dr. Akerkar’s Mumbai Arthritis Clinic and Research Centre

Click here to learn more about doctors for arthritis treatment in Mumbai.

Delhi

1.Dr. (Maj Gen.) Darshan Singh Bhakuni

• MBBS, DNB in General Medicine, PGCC in Rheumatology
• Over 40 years of experience
• He practices at Manipal Hospital, Dwarka

2.Dr. Neetan Sachdeva

• MBBS, DNB in Orthopedic Surgery, Diploma in Orthopedics, Fellowship in Rheumatology
• Over 24 years of experience
• He practices at Nest Gynae and Ortho Speciality Clinic

3.Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal

• MBBS, MD in General Medicine, DNB in Rheumatology
• Over 15 years of experience
• He practices at Max Super Speciality Hospital Patparganj and Max Super Speciality Hospital Ghaziabad.

Click here to learn more about doctors for arthritis treatment in Delhi.

Chennai

1.Dr. Ramakrishnan S

• MBBS, MD in General Medicine, DM in Rheumatology
• Over 42 years of experience
• He practices at Apollo Hospital, Gream Road

2.Dr. Vishwanath Kaushik

• MBBS ,MRCP (UK), FRCP in Rheumatology
• Over 22 years of experience
• He practices at Apollo Hospital, Gream Road

3.Dr. Mathai Thomas

• MBBS, Diploma in Child Health (DCH), MD in General Medicine, DM in Rheumatology
• Over 25 years of experience
• He practices at Apollo Speciality Hospital, Vanagaram

Click here to learn more about doctors for arthritis treatment in Chennai.

Bangalore

1. Dr. Srinivasa.C

• MBBS, MD in General Medicine, DM in Rheumatology
• Over 19 years of experience
• He practices at the Sri Rheumatology And Immunology Center

Dr. Vijay Rao K R

• MBBS, MRCP (UK), CCT - Rheumatology
• Over 20 years of experience
• He practices at Divisha Arthritis and Medical Center

Dr. Satish Kalanje

• MBBS, Fellowship in Rheumatology
• Over 30 years of experience
• He practices at Manipal Hospital, Millers Road

Click here to learn more about doctors for arthritis treatment in Bangalore.

Hyderabad

1.Dr. Dheeraj Kondagari

• MBBS, MD in General Medicine in Fellowship in Rheumatology
• Over 19 years of experience
• He practices at Endorheuma Care

2.Dr. Aruna Sree Malipeddi

• MBBS, MRCP (UK)
• Over 26 years of experience
• She practices at Continental Hospitals, Hyderabad

Click here to know more doctors for arthritis treatment in Hyderabad.

Seeking a good hospital for arthritis can be challenging. But why settle for good when you can choose the best?

We have curated a list of some of the best orthopedic hospitals for arthritis treatment for you. You cannot go wrong with any of the hospitals mentioned below.

Top Arthritis Hospitals in India

Choosing a good hospital is an essential step in getting successful orthopedic treatment. When deciding on a hospital, it helps to keep certain points in mind, like:

• Modern infrastructure,
• Good accreditations
• Expert medical professionals
• Reasonable cost

We have created a list of the best hospitals for arthritis treatment that fulfill all these criteria.

Mumbai

1.Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

• It is accredited by JCI, NABH, NABL and CAP
• Has received the Best Multi-Speciality Hospital Award-Western Region by ET

2. Hinduja Hospital

• It is accredited by CAP, NABL, IFCC, HACCP, and NABH
• Hinduja was awarded the Best Hospital by Newsweek Worlds Best Hospital Survey in 2020 and 2021.

3.Fortis Hospital

• It is accredited by NABH, NABL, and JCI
• It was awarded Best Orthopedic Hospital at the Indian Healthcare Award 

Take charge of your health and your life. Contact us today!

 Delhi

1.Manipal Hospital, Dwarka

• It is equipped with the most advanced infrastructure including 13 OTs and 118 critical care rooms
• The hospital is led by some of the most reputed doctors in India

2.BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital

• It is the largest private sector bank in Delhi
• It is accredited by ilac-MRA, JCI, NABH and NABL

3. Indraprastha Apollo Hospital

• It has been providing their expert health services since 1996
• It is a JCI, NABL, NABH accredited hospital 

Bangalore 

1.Manipal Hospital

• It is ranked amongst the top 10 multi-speciality hospitals in India
• Access to International currency conversion and foreign language support within the facility

2.Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road

• It has been providing standard healthcare services since 2002
• It has received numerous awards for being the best hospital in Bangalore.  

Chennai

1.Apollo Hospital, Greams Road

• It is the flagship hospital of Apollo Groups providing best-in-class services in India
• It has over 60 specialty departments led by the top doctors of India.

2. Gleneagles Global Hospital

• It is an associate hospital of IHH Healthcare, which is amongst the world’s largest healthcare providers.
• It is accredited by NABB, NABH, and NABL

 Hyderabad

1.Yashodha Hospital

• They are the 1st to introduce 16 channel MRI system in South Asia
• They have received “Hospital with Highest Standard in Patient Care” award at CIMS Medica Healthcare Excellence Awards 

2.Apollo Health City, Jubilee Hills

• Apollo, Hyderabad is ranked amongst Asia’s top health service providers.
• It is accredited by JCI and AAHRPP

Arthritis Treatment Cost in India

Expenses come first in everyone’s mind when seeking treatment for any disease. You will be glad to know that treatment expenses in India are a fraction of what you will have to pay in most Western countries.

The factors that affect the cost of arthritis treatment in India:

The average cost of medications in India is 923 to 1075 INR. Laboratory tests usually cost 1500 to 5000 INR. Surgical expenses range from 50,000 to 4.5 lakh INR. Post-surgery physiotherapy will cost around 20,000 to 25,000 INR for two weeks.

No matter which part of India you live in, we have got you covered!

 

We have provided the costs of arthritis treatment in different cities of India so that you can choose the ideal destination for arthritis treatment for you.

City-wise Cost of Arthritis Treatment in India

The cost of medicines is similar across the country. However, surgical costs can vary in different cities. 

Below are the costs of knee replacement surgeries in different cities of India.

Cost Comparison of Arthritis Treatment in India with Other Countries

There is a sizeable difference in the cost of arthritis treatment when compared with other countries. The best treatment for arthritis in India can be accessed for a relatively lower cost. For example, the cost of a knee replacement surgery is 700 to 6000 USD in India. The same surgery costs 30,000 USD in the USA.

Similarly, the cost of medicine for arthritis in India is also significantly lower in India.

Below is a cost comparison of arthritis treatment in India with other countries.

Arthritis Types and Treatments Available in India

We have made a detailed list of treatments and their costs to help you determine which is the right treatment for you.

1. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Stem Cell Treatment in India

Stem Cell Treatment is the latest innovation in the field of rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Stem cells can differentiate into any tissue of the body. 

They work on reducing inflammation of the joints, thus relieving painful symptoms of RA.

This procedure is in its early stages of being tested. 

However, it has shown optimistic results. In addition, it is safe. No side effects have been reported so far. It is also minimally invasive, allowing the patient to recover quickly.

Take the first step to recovery. Get in touch with us for your treatment.

The cost of stem cell therapy is 8000 to 12000 USD. The number of cycles depends on the severity of the condition.

While the pool of patients in clinical trials is quite small right now, nearly 70% of them have noted a significant reduction in pain and inflammation.

Other Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis usually occurs with old age. The purpose of treatment for OA is to reduce pain and restore mobility that is lost due to the wearing of cartilage.

Stem Cell Therapy in India

Stem cell therapy for OA aims to reduce joint pain by regenerating worn-out cartilage. Mesenchymal cells are used for this procedure. It has shown very good results in clinical trials.

This procedure is significantly less expensive when compared to conventional knee replacement surgeries. It is also non-invasive and has a minimum recovery time. In addition, there have been no reported long-term side effects in a decade of studies.

The success rate of the treatment is 65% to 75%. Patients report a significant reduction in pain. There is also a long-term decrease in stiffness and improved mobility.

The cost of stem cell therapy in India depends on the severity of the osteoarthritis and the number of cycles required. 

The average cost of stem cell therapy ranges from 8000 to 12,000 USD. Each cycle costs around 2000 USD. 

In comparison, most European countries charge 25,000 to 35,000 USD for the same procedure, and it costs up to 105,000 USD in the USA.

Other Treatments for Osteoarthritis

Success Rate of Arthritis Treatment in India

Before taking the plunge into any treatment, it is natural to want to know how successful it will be. Individual data gives us an idea of just how successful the treatment of osteoarthritis is in India.

Nearly 60% of patients on medications report a significant reduction in pain and improvement in quality of life.

95% of patients who have undergone knee replacement surgery have been able to return to activities like swimming and cycling again. The success rate of stem cell therapy is also pegged at 65-75%.

Yes, you read that right! 

Now let's discuss, 

Why Choose India?

The success rates of arthritis treatment in India might have given you the answer to this question. 

But that's not it! 

There are other reasons also that make India an ideal destination for arthritis treatment.  

To help you make an informed decision, let’s talk about the main advantages of choosing India.

• Affordable Healthcare; The cost of every treatment is significantly lesser than in other western countries.
• Top-class medical facilities equipped with the latest technology.
• Highly trained medical professionals and well-regulated clinical settings.
• Lower cost of living
• The easy application process for medical visas

 FAQs

How can diet and lifestyle changes help manage arthritis in India? 

Eating a balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, and fish can help reduce arthritis symptoms. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding stress can also improve joint health and reduce pain.

Are there affordable options for arthritis treatment in India? 

Yes, there are many affordable options for arthritis treatment in India, including government hospitals, community health centers, and low-cost clinics that offer medications and therapies at reduced prices.

What role do physiotherapists play in treating arthritis? 

Physiotherapists help arthritis patients by teaching exercises to strengthen muscles around the joints, improve flexibility, and reduce pain. They create personalized exercise plans to help maintain joint function.

Can arthritis be cured, or is it only manageable? 

While arthritis cannot be cured, its symptoms can be effectively managed with the right combination of treatments, including medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes, allowing many people to lead active and fulfilling lives.

What should I expect during a consultation with an orthopedic doctor for arthritis? 

During a consultation, the orthopedic doctor will review your medical history, ask about your symptoms, and may order tests like X-rays or blood work. They will then discuss treatment options and create a plan tailored to your needs.