Why international and out-of-town patients elect to travel to see Dr. Leone for hip and knee replacements
While the term “medical tourism” can sound like anything but a relaxing vacation, getting relief from the crippling pain of damaged or worn joints is more gratifying than even the greatest travel package. For people who suffer with hip or knee pain, getting topflight surgical care from a highly trusted joint replacement surgeon can be well worth the rigors of travel. The Leone Center for Orthopedic Care at Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is experienced in providing safe, expedient care for out-of-town patients, whether they’re arriving from an international location or traveling here from any place in America.
Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Dr. William Leone has operated on thousands of patients from all over the world at The Leone Center for Orthopedic Care, which he founded in 2009. Also certified in both computer-assisted knee replacement surgery and robotic-assisted partial and total knee replacement surgery, Dr. Leone is particularly sought out by those having complex hip and knee problems that require the critical combination of experience, state-of-the-art technology and a highly skilled surgeon.
Why Travel to See Dr. Leone for a Hip or Knee Replacement?
Since 2020, the number of out-of-town and international patients seeking medical care at Holy Cross Health and The Leone Center has more than tripled, with the majority of those traveling from the Caribbean, as well as from South and Central America. North Americans traveling from within the United States and from Canada comprise the second-highest number of medical travelers who seek out Dr. Leone and Holy Cross Health, with others traveling here from Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Australia.
Importantly, Dr. Leone understands and respects his patients’ cultures, having traveled both nationwide and worldwide as a sought-after consultant for implant, instrument design and clinical application for orthopedics. Involved in clinical trials and reviews of new orthopedic techniques and equipment, he has taken an active role as chairperson and faculty at symposiums that provide continuing medical education for hip and knee surgeons in the United States, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition to lectures, he has mentored orthopedic surgeons and joint replacement fellows and medical students in patient care and surgical techniques.
Those traveling to The Leone Center from either inside or outside of the United States are seeking the high-caliber training, resources, and proven techniques and procedures that only an experienced surgeon like Dr. Leone can provide. Many live in areas that are hours away from any comparable care. They took the time to research the references and credentials of top orthopedic doctors and ultimately determined that Dr. Leone and his team provide the expertise and patient-centered care they seek.
How to Plan and What to Expect if You’re an Out-of-Town Patient
While most local joint replacement patients can expect to leave the hospital on the same day of their surgery, for medical tourists, planning pre-operative visits and post-op logistics entails additional considerations.
The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) notes that clear communication with one’s doctor and his or her staff, along with personnel at any ancillary facilities involved in a medical or surgical procedure, is necessary to ensure all expectations are met and potential misunderstandings about care are limited.
To serve our international visitors, Dr. Leone and his staff can schedule appointments and provide information in English and Spanish. When necessary, other members of the Holy Cross staff who are fluent in other languages can assist communicating with patients, their caregivers and even those providing transportation to and from The Leone Center.
The teams in the International Department and The Leone Center work very hard to mitigate any anxiety associated with travel, communication and coordinate your care. International and out of state patients work with patient liaisons to ensure all questions and concerns are addressed. Your patient liaison also facilitates confidential communication with clinical personnel and helps patients and their families with non-medical issues, such as arranging private rooms and VIP meals, access to post-operative care as well as other medical appointments.
After your discharge, arrangements are made for home visits from trained nurses and physical therapists, outpatient therapy, or continued rehabilitation therapy no matter where you live. In addition, a follow-up appointment will be made with Dr. Leone and his team.
“Many of our patients elect to remain in the South Florida area for 2 weeks after their surgery where they return to The Leone Center office for suture removal and an X-ray. Some folks return to The Leone Center office sooner for an examination, reassurance and sometimes a dressing change. Other patients elect to travel home much sooner to continue their care and have their suture removed. Every patient’s post-operative plan is customized for their individual needs based on their medical condition, what surgery was performed, and their comfort level” says Dr. Leone.
Typically, patients return to our office six weeks after their surgery. For those patients who travel to the Leone Center for their care, this often is not practical and instead communicate using their phone or computer. “Nothing is set in stone, we just need to know that you are safe and doing well”, says Dr. Leone.
A pre-travel consultation withyour local health care provider is advised four to six weeks before any surgical procedure. We ask that you bring your medical record and any X-rays or other imaging studies such as an MRI scan for your consultation with Dr. Leone. If a determination is made to proceed with surgery, then the Leone team will help you make an appointment to see a medical physician for preoperative clearance, if this is not already done.
The CDC also recommends that medical tourists pack a travel health kit with their prescription and over-the-counter medicines in their original packaging. It’s always a good idea to bring enough of your regular prescription or over-the-counter medicines to last your whole trip, plus a little extra in case of delays.
Dr. Leone has earned a reputation over 30 years as one of the nation’s top orthopedic surgeons for solving hip and knee issues that other physicians may choose not to treat. As head of the Leone Center for Orthopedic Care, he has been instrumental in building the stature of Holy Cross Health as a nationally recognized leader in hip and knee replacement surgery and patient care. His outstanding reputation among his peers in the medical community and the numerous referrals of new patients he receives from those he has treated in the past are a testament to his extraordinary skill and his entire team’s commitment to exceeding patient expectations.
If you would like additional information about Dr. Leone’s practice or to schedule an appointment, please call our office at 954-489-4575 or email us at leonecenter@holy-cross.com. We welcome the opportunity to hear from you.
