Dislocated Knee Cost

Typical costs:

• Without health insurance, diagnosis and treatment for a patellar dislocation typically includes the cost of the X-ray, a facility fee and a doctor fee for a typical total of less than $1,000 for non-surgical treatment without anesthesia and up to $16,000 or more if surgery is required. A knee X-ray costs an average of $200, according to NewChoiceHealth.com[1] , but some providers charge $1,000 or more. Non-surgical treatment without anesthesia costs about $462, not including the doctor fee, while surgical treatment costs about $8,400-$15,000, not including the doctor fee, according to Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center[2] in Lincoln, NE. A typical doctor fee would include $90 to $200 for an office visit and could also include $250 to $950 for the procedure, according to Carolina Orthopaedic Surgery Associates[3] .
• Treatment for a patellar dislocation is typically covered by health insurance. A patient with insurance would typically pay an X-ray copay, an office visit copay and coinsurance of 10% to 50% for the procedure. The cost could reach the yearly out-of-pocket maximum if surgery is required.

• A doctor usually will order an X-ray or MRI to check for damage to the bone or cartilage. Then, the doctor will use local anesthesia and move the kneecap back into the proper position, if that has not happened spontaneously, then will place a cast or immobilizer on the leg to keep the knee stable during healing.
• In some cases, general anesthesia and surgery might be required to stabilize the kneecap. Surgery typically would be outpatient and recovery would take about six to 12 weeks. The University of Connecticut Health Center[4] has information about surgery for patellar dislocation.
• The National Institutes of Health[5] offers an overview of patellar dislocation and treatment.

• Going to an emergency room for initial treatment could add an emergency room visit fee of $500 or more to the final bill.
• Crutches typically cost $15 to $40 for basic crutches or up to $100 for deluxe forearm crutches. Crutches typically are covered by health insurance with a durable medical goods copay.
• A standard manual wheelchair costs an average of $500.
• Physical therapy, at $50 to $75 or more per session, might be required to help improve range of motion in the knee. For example, Akron General[6] in Ohio offers a physical therapy price list.
• A patellar brace typically costs about $50.

• Some hospitals and orthopedic specialists offer discounts for uninsured/cash paying patients. For example, the Southern California Orthopedic Institute offers discounted services for cash-paying patients, and the Northwest Community Hospital Orthopedic Services Center[7] , in Chicago, offers discounts for prompt payment.
• Some free clinics, such as the Community Health Free Clinic[8] in Chicago, offer orthopedic specialty care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services[9] offers a directory of federally funded health centers. These centers are open to anyone and fees are charged on a sliding scale based on federal poverty guidelines; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends contacting clinics directly for specific information on their discount policies.

• A patellar dislocation might require immediate treatment at a hospital emergency room. An orthopedic surgeon would treat a patellar dislocation. Or, a sports medicine doctor could treat a sports-related injury.
• The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery[10] offers an orthopedic specialist finder by city, state or zip code. The American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine offers a doctor locator.

1.  www.newchoicehealth.com/Directory/Procedure/106/Knee%20X-Ray
2.  tp.chi.acelogicus.net/nese/Default.aspx
3.  www.c-osa.com/charges.htm
4.  nemsi.uchc.edu/clinical_services/orthopaedic/knee/patellar_dislocation.html
5.  www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001070.htm
6.  www.akrongeneral.org/portal/page/portal/AGMC_PAGEGROUP/Price_guide/PRICE_GUIDE6
7.  www.nch.org/medical-services/orthopedic-services/index.php
8.  www.communityhfc.org/referals.htm
9.  findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx
10.  www.abos.org/find-a-certified-orthopaedic-surgeon.aspx

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