Orthopedic Surgery Ranking: Top Procedures, Recovery Times, and Who Performs Them Best

When it comes to orthopedic surgery, surgical treatment for bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Also known as bone and joint surgery, it’s one of the most common types of major surgery in India, especially as people live longer and stay active. Not all orthopedic surgeries are the same—some take hours, others take months to recover from. The orthopedic surgery ranking isn’t about which is "best," but which matches your condition, lifestyle, and healing capacity.

Joint replacement, a procedure to replace damaged joints like knees or hips with artificial ones is one of the most frequent. It’s reliable, with high success rates, and often gives people back their mobility within weeks. Then there’s spinal fusion, a complex surgery that joins two or more vertebrae to reduce pain from instability or degeneration. This one? It’s on the other end of the recovery spectrum—sometimes taking over a year to feel fully healed. And while both are orthopedic, they demand very different levels of care, physical therapy, and patience.

Who you see matters just as much as what surgery you get. An orthopedic surgeon, a doctor specially trained to operate on the musculoskeletal system with experience in your specific issue—like knee arthritis or a slipped disc—can make a huge difference in outcomes. In India, many hospitals now have dedicated orthopedic centers with teams focused on just one type of surgery, like hip replacements or sports injuries. That specialization leads to better results.

Recovery time isn’t just about healing the cut—it’s about rebuilding strength, regaining balance, and adjusting to new movement patterns. A knee replacement might let you walk without pain in six weeks, but you won’t climb stairs easily until three months. Spinal fusion? You might need six months before driving again. And if you’re overweight or have diabetes, your recovery could take even longer. That’s why knowing your body’s limits and following rehab plans isn’t optional—it’s the difference between getting back to life and staying stuck.

Some people avoid surgery thinking it’s risky, but for many, it’s the only way to get out of constant pain. Others rush into it without checking if non-surgical options like physical therapy or weight loss could help. The key is knowing your options, understanding the trade-offs, and choosing based on real data—not fear or hype.

Below, you’ll find real-world insights from people who’ve been through these procedures. From how long each surgery takes in the operating room, to what you can and can’t do after, to which doctors to trust—this collection cuts through the noise and gives you what actually matters for your recovery.