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MMedicay Global
Orthopaedic Surgery

Tendon Transfer

A procedure that reroutes a working tendon to restore function lost due to nerve or tendon damage.

What is Tendon Transfer?

Tendon transfer surgery reroutes a healthy, functioning tendon from its original position to compensate for a lost or non-functioning muscle-tendon unit, most often used to restore movement following nerve injury, tendon rupture, or certain neurological conditions. Your surgeon carefully selects a donor tendon that can be spared without significant loss of its original function, then reattaches it to perform the movement that has been lost. This requires detailed pre-surgical planning to select the most suitable donor tendon for your specific functional needs, and is performed under general or regional anaesthesia.

Why is this procedure performed?

  • Loss of specific hand, wrist, or foot movement due to nerve injury
  • An irreparable tendon rupture affecting movement
  • Certain neurological conditions causing muscle imbalance
  • A desire to restore specific lost function where nerve repair is not possible or has not succeeded
  • As part of reconstructive surgery following injury

How does this procedure help?

Tendon transfer can restore meaningful function that would otherwise be permanently lost, allowing you to regain movements essential to daily activities and independence. Because it requires the brain to learn a new way of activating the transferred tendon, recovery involves dedicated therapy to retrain this movement pattern, typically over several months. Many patients achieve significant functional improvement, particularly with committed participation in post-surgical rehabilitation.

How quickly can this be arranged in India?

Typical timeline in India

2–3 weeks

Compared to Canada / USA

75–85% faster

Cost savings vs. Canada / USA

70–85% less

Context

Orthopaedic procedures such as knee and hip replacement have average wait times of 12–24 months in Canada. In India, the same procedures are typically scheduled within 2–3 weeks.

Timeline data based on publicly available data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) and NHS/Commonwealth Fund comparative studies. Cost estimates based on publicly available medical tourism cost comparisons, including Patients Beyond Borders. Actual costs vary by hospital and case complexity and are confirmed during your clinical assessment.

How does Medicay Global help?

We coordinate access to this procedure through our vetted hospital network in India, handling everything non-clinical along the way. Your Personal Medical Representative manages scheduling, logistics, and communication on your behalf, so you can focus on your health. Medicay Global coordinates access — all clinical decisions are made by licensed physicians.

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