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26-05-2026

Joint replacement surgery: mobility is restored for thousands of patients every year

Iliustracija

More than a thousand joint replacement surgeries are performed every month in Lithuania. During these procedures, a worn or damaged joint is replaced with an implant, gradually restoring a person’s ability to move freely. This is a relatively common and effective surgery, funded by the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund. The National Health Insurance Fund reminds patients how to make use of this service smoothly.

Replacing a joint with an artificial implant helps restore mobility and, after full treatment, allows a person to return to normal life – this is why demand for such operations is high. Last year, nearly 14,000 joint replacement surgeries were performed, requiring more than EUR 17 million in fund resources. The majority – over 13,000 – were hip and knee replacements. So far this year, almost 5,000 endoprosthetic surgeries have already been carried out.

The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) centrally procures knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, thumb, and ankle joint implants and their components using fund resources, and distributes them to hospitals. “Centrally procured implants meet high quality and safety standards, and in certain cases, individually tailored implants for specific patients can also be covered when medically necessary,” emphasizes Lina Taminskienė, Advisor at the Medical Devices Reimbursement Department of the NHIF.

The path to surgery begins with a family doctor. If a joint injury is suspected, the doctor issues a referral for the patient to see an orthopedist-traumatologist. The specialist assesses the condition and explains treatment options. If surgery is necessary, the doctor registers the patient’s request for a reimbursable joint endoprosthesis in the information system and submits it to the Health Insurance Fund.

Patients are free to choose the healthcare institution where they would like to undergo surgery, as long as it has a contract with the Health Insurance Fund for this service. Currently, there are  20 such institutions in Lithuania. “Residents can choose a hospital with a shorter waiting time or a more convenient location,” advises a representative of the NHIF.

In addition, the surgery can be postponed once for up to one year or the treatment facility can be changed while retaining your original place in the waiting list. However, it is necessary to follow the deadlines: after receiving notification about an allocated endoprosthesis, you must contact the medical institution within 30 days, and the surgery must be performed within 120 days from the assignment of the endoprosthesis.

Information about the queue and the surgery is sent to patients by their chosen method – SMS, email, or letter. The patient’s place in the queue can also be checked by logging into their account on the Electronic Government Gateway portal.

The NHIF also reminds that from May 1, an updated payment procedure for more expensive endoprostheses is applied. The Health Insurance Fund covers 100% of both the surgery and the endoprosthesis. However, if there is a need, it is possible to choose a different implant – for example, a more expensive one or one with specific features. In such a case, a clear rule applies: the patient pays only the price difference.

“It is very important that a person makes an informed decision about a more expensive endoprosthesis. The healthcare facility must not only clearly explain the possible additional medical benefits, but also remind the patient that an insured person has the right to a fully reimbursed option,” emphasizes L. Taminskienė.

An equally important part of treatment is recovery after surgery. After joint replacement surgery, priority medical rehabilitation is provided – these patients are referred to rehabilitation facilities on a priority basis. The rehabilitation time is coordinated by the healthcare institution that issued the referral, so patients do not need to take care of it themselves.

According to the representative of the NHIF, endoprosthetic surgery and rehabilitation allow patients to return to daily activities more quickly and maintain their quality of life.

The NHIF invites you:

Last updated: 09-06-2026

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