How a Patient from Kenya Recovered with Bone Grafting in India

Bone Grafting in India

Bone graft is one of the surgical procedures in which the bone harvested from the same patient or a different one is moved within the body to reconstruct tissues that have been harmed.

It’s commonly done for:

• Dental implants
• Fractures that don’t heal properly
• Bone loss from infection, disease, or trauma
• Spine fusion surgeries

Why Consider Bone Grafting in India?

India is a preferred country for a number of reasons:

• Affordable: Cost of treatment could be 50-70% lesser than the US, UK or Australians.
• There are many hospitals of international standards, which are accredited with NABH and JCI.
• Highly experienced surgeons: Most of them have trained in other countries and have handled many complicated surgeries.
• Short waiting time: The scheduling of an appointment is shorter than in other countries.
• Tourism advantage: It is also common for most of the hospitals to provide assistance for visa, transportation from the airport, accommodation and after surgery care.

Factors Affecting Bone Graft Cost

Bone Graft Material Type

• Autograft (your own bone): Expensive since an additional surgery will be required for bone harvesting.
• Allograft (donor bone): Lower cost compared to autograft.
• Xenograft (animal bone): Usually mid-prices.
• Synthetic grafts: (such as hydroxyapatite, calcium phosphate) differ depending on brand and type — some quality ones can cost more.

Procedure Type

• Simple bone graft (e.g., miniature dental graft) is less costly.
• Complex reconstruction (e.g., for spine, jaw, or multiple fractures) will cost more due to the surgical complexity.

Surgeon's Experience

• Very experienced or internationally trained surgeons have higher consultation and surgery charges, but generally provide superior results.
• Less experienced surgeons can provide lower charges.

Hospital Category

• Corporate hospitals (e.g., Apollo, Fortis, Medanta) = premium charges, luxury services.
• Specialty clinics or mid-tier hospitals = moderate to low charges.

City of Treatment

• Metro cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore): They are more expensive because overall cost is more.
• Tier-2 cities (Pune, Coimbatore, Kochi, and Jaipur): It's 15–30% lower, but can still be great quality.

Anaesthesia and Operating Room Charges

• General anaesthesia and long surgery time = more expensive.
• Local anaesthesia (for minor grafts) = less expensive.

Diagnostic Tests and Imaging

• X-rays, CT scan, MRI — required pre-surgery — get added to the final price tag.
• Some of them include them, some not.

Hospital Stay

• 2–5 days of stay for complex bone grafts add to the expense.
• Simple bone grafts as outpatients (mainly dental) are more affordable.

Post-Operative Care

• Medications, wound dressings, physiotherapy (orthopedic grafts) add additional expense.
• Some of the grafts involve multiple follow-ups and minor procedures.

Medical Tourism Services

• If you are a foreign patient employing a package (visa assistance, translators, accommodation, etc.), that cost will be included also.

Bone Graft Surgery

Steps in Bone Graft Surgery:

Consultation

• Imaging tests (X-ray, CT scan, MRI) to determine damage.

Anaesthesia

• Local or general, depending on graft size and location.

Harvesting Bone (if using autograft)

• A small incision to harvest bone tissue.

Placing the Bone Graft

• Surgeon inserts the graft material into the repair site and may use screws, pins, or plates to hold it in place.

Closure

• Surgical site is stitched and bandaged.

Recovery

• Healing starts as the bone grows into the graft over months.

Bone Graft Types

Autograft (Autologous Bone Graft)

Source: Your own bone, typically harvested from the hip, rib, pelvis, or wrist.

Pros:

• Highest success rate (because it's your own tissue).
• No risk of disease transmission.

Cons:

• Additional surgery required (to harvest bone).
• Potential pain at donor site.

Best for: Complicated fractures, spinal fusions, extensive bone defects.

Allograft (Donor Bone Graft)

Source: Bone harvested from a deceased human donor (processed and sterilized from a bone bank).

Pros:

• No second surgery on your body.
• Easily available in different shapes and sizes.

Cons:

• Minor risk of immune rejection (extremely rare if processed correctly).
• No living cells (primarily functions as a scaffold).

Best for: Dental grafts, spinal fusions, limb operations.

Xenograft (Animal Bone Graft)

Source: Bone from animals (typically cow or pig), specially processed to eliminate proteins.

Pros:

• Extremely safe after processing.
• Excellent scaffold for new bone formation.

Cons:

• Increased healing time.
• Less natural incorporation than autograft.

Ideal for: Dental procedures, jawbone reconstruction.

Alloplastic Graft (Synthetic Bone Graft)

• Source: Made of man-made substances such as:
• Calcium phosphate
• Hydroxyapatite
• Bioactive glass

Advantages:

• No risk of disease transmission.
• Can be tailored to individual requirements.

Disadvantages:

• May not incorporate as naturally as natural bone.
• Occasionally slower recovery.

Ideal for: Dental implants, small defects, mild orthopedic use.

Patient from Kenya Recovered with Bone Grafting in India

Patient Name: Mr. Peter Otieno

Gender: Male

Country of Origin: Kenya

Doctor Name: Dr. Rakesh Sharma

Hospital Name: Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi

Treatment: Bone Grafting Surgery

Confronting a challenging bone injury is a significant life hurdle, but recovery becomes achievable with proper medical assistance and treatment.

Mr. Peter Otieno, from Kenya, was experiencing severe pain and restricted movement due to a severe non-healing fracture of his tibia (shinbone), which had significantly affected his daily activities.

Despite undergoing several treatments locally, his condition showed little progress. Seeking better medical options, Peter found GetWellGo online and decided to submit an enquiry through their website.

Shortly after, a dedicated case manager contacted him to understand the seriousness of his condition. His medical records were carefully evaluated, and the team helped him plan his journey to India for advanced treatment.

Peter, who was with his cousin, flew to India, where he was received warmly at the airport. Good and low-cost accommodation was already in place courtesy of the GetWellGo team.

An appointment was scheduled immediately with Dr. Rakesh Sharma of Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, which was renowned for its quality in orthopedic treatments. After a thorough evaluation, the doctor suggested bone grafting surgery to bridge the gap of the bone and facilitate natural healing.

The operation was a success, with bone grafting and internal fixation to immobilize the fracture. Peter experienced considerable pain relief shortly after the surgery and started walking with support within weeks.

He remained in India for recovery and rehabilitation for around six weeks before he went back to Kenya, where he continues to recover steadily with follow-up.

With gratitude, Mr. Peter said,
"I am really grateful to GetWellGo for helping me through each stage of my treatment process. The medical doctors and hospital staff were wonderful, and today I am healthy, stronger, and free from pain. I strongly recommend GetWellGo to anybody seeking quality medical care outside their home countries. Thank you immensely!"

We hope Mr. Peter Otieno recovers fully and quickly!