Direct Costs

• The operation's cost depends on many factors, including where you live. According to Washington Post's Christopher J. Gearon, the average cost of knee replacement surgery in metropolitan Washington is $28,774. Costhelper states that at the Kapiolani Medical Center in Aiea, Hawaii, the price is about $33,000.
  
  

Other Factors That Affect Cost

• There are many factors that affect the price of surgery, including choice of physician and hospital. According to Costhelper, the surgery is more cost-effective at high-volume institutions.
  
  

Out of Pocket Costs

• Out of pocket costs vary wildly depending on your insurance plan and could range from several hundred to several thousand dollars. Costhelper states that as of 2008, knee replacement out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare patients at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, totaled $4,257.
  
  

Additional Costs

• Total knee surgery replacement patients need extended home care in addition to the week-long hospital stay. Your home may need to be fitted with bathroom safety bars and a toilet seat riser; modifications may also need to be made for temporary one-story living.
  
  

Other Factors to Consider

• Total knee replacement surgery is not a permanent solution to knee problems. Total knee replacement surgery will need to be repeated every 10 to 15 years.