190: The Relaxback UK Show with Mike Dilke - Episode 190190: The Relaxback UK Show with Mike Dilke - Episode 190
UK Health Radio Podcast
This episode focuses on British patients travelling to Spain for hip and knee replacements, comparing cost, care and recovery with UK options. A surgeon and a former patient share their experiences, highlighting practical benefits, risks and questions to ask before making such a decision.
31:18•10 Nov 2026
Hip Replacements in Spain: Why Some Brits Say It’s Worth the Trip
Episode Overview
- Long NHS waiting times can push some patients to seek surgery abroad to avoid extended periods of pain.
- Total costs for surgery in Spain, including travel and hotel, can be significantly lower than UK private fees.
- Fast track recovery with minimal incision and internal sutures can reduce early wound problems and support quicker mobility.
- Patients are advised to stay at least five to seven days after surgery to cover the period when early complications are most likely.
- Travel insurance for planned surgery overseas may be hard to obtain, so people need to factor that gap into their decisions.
“It's not a huge amount of money compared to the ongoing pain you're in and your quality of life is all important.”
In this eye-opening episode, you'll learn about the growing trend of Brits heading to Spain for hip and knee replacements, and why some feel it’s worth the risk and the money. The Relaxback UK Show, hosted by Mike Dilk, takes a practical look at this choice through a straight-talking chat with Spanish surgeon Dr Fernandez and British patient Sue Field.
Sue explains how an 18‑month waiting list for her hip replacement pushed her to look abroad, especially as ongoing pain was changing her gait and causing problems elsewhere in her body. She compares costs frankly, saying her full trip to Spain – surgery, hotel and flights – was around £11,000, while a friend paid £17,500 for the same procedure privately in Norfolk.
As she puts it, "it's not a huge amount of money compared to the ongoing pain you're in and your quality of life is all important." Dr Fernandez outlines his 15 years’ experience in hip and knee replacement and talks through why prices may be lower in Spain, including differences in health systems and hospital costs. He stresses that implant prices across developed countries are broadly similar, so big price gaps are likely coming from other parts of the process.
He also describes their "fast track" recovery, minimal incision approach, and suture techniques that allow patients to shower straight after surgery. The conversation doesn’t shy away from possible complications. They cover infection risks, fractures, dislocation, and what happens if something goes wrong once the patient is back in the UK.
Sue shares that she checked carefully how the NHS and the Spanish team would support her if there were post‑op issues, and also found that getting travel insurance for planned surgery abroad was almost impossible. If you’ve ever wondered whether travelling for surgery could be worth it to escape long waiting lists and constant pain, this episode might prompt you to weigh up your own options and questions.
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.