Orthopedic Surgeon for Patients from Pitești and Argeș County
Patients from Pitești and Argeș County — Consultations, Arthroplasty, Arthroscopy
I am Dr. Alexandru Grecu, a senior consultant orthopedic and trauma surgeon with a practice in Craiova. I regularly see patients from Pitești and the rest of Argeș county for hip, knee, and shoulder evaluations, for both conservative treatments and surgical interventions.
Book a ConsultationWhy Patients from Argeș County Come to Craiova
Pitești and Craiova are separated by approximately 130 km, a drive of about 1h 50min via DN65 / E574. For patients needing specialized surgery or an informed second opinion, this distance can be reasonable, especially when compared to traveling to Bucharest (130 km but 2 hours through traffic).
Patients from Argeș choose the Craiova practice for several practical reasons: access to joint replacement surgery at a high-volume center (MedLife Private Hospital Craiova — a recently inaugurated multidisciplinary operating theatre); shorter waiting times for appointments than in Bucharest hospitals; the option of the CAS route through the National Endoprosthetics Program; continuity of care — the same doctor from consultation to surgery and recovery; and more affordable private costs than in Bucharest.
Conditions Treated for Patients from Argeș County
Knee
- • Knee replacement (total or partial arthroplasty) for knee osteoarthritis
- • Knee arthroscopy — for meniscus tears, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, and cartilage damage
- • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction
- • Injections with PRP or hyaluronic acid
Hip
- • Hip replacement (total arthroplasty) for hip osteoarthritis
- • Hip replacement for avascular necrosis of the femoral head
- • Treatment of hip dysplasia in young adults
- • Intra-articular injections
Other Procedures
- • Shoulder replacement (arthroplasty)
- • Fracture treatment
Hip replacement
Total arthroplasty for hip osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, and adult hip dysplasia.
View service pageKnee arthroscopy
Meniscus tears, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, cartilage damage, ACL reconstruction.
View service pagePRP and hyaluronic acid injections
Regenerative treatment for osteoarthritis and tendinopathies.
View service pageLogistics for Patients from Pitești
Route
Pitești → DN65 → Slatina → Craiova. Distance ~130 km, estimated duration 1h 50min. Alternatives: Pitești–Craiova train (4–5 hours — not recommended); coach (3 hours).
Clinic / Consultation Location
MedLife Private Hospital Craiova, 2A Științei Street, 200440 Craiova, Dolj. On-site parking available. Near Auchan Craiova — Electroputere (an easily accessible landmark from DN65 / E574).
For Surgical Interventions
Private route — MedLife Private Hospital Craiova, 2A Științei Street. CAS route via National Endoprosthetics Program — Craiova County Emergency Clinical Hospital, 1 Tabaci Street.
Served Localities
Pitești, Mioveni, Curtea de Argeș, Câmpulung — all are 80–130 km from Craiova.
The CAS Route for Patients from Other Counties
Step 1 — Referral Letter
Your family doctor in Pitești can give you a referral letter to the Orthopedics and Traumatology specialty. The letter does not need to specify a particular doctor's name.
Step 2 — Appointment
Call 0251 960 (MedLife) or +40 787 210 391. Appointments available in 1–3 weeks.
Step 3 — Consultation
Bring the referral letter, CAS card, and any existing medical imaging. We will discuss your case. I will explain all options — CAS or private.
Step 4 — Enrollment in the National Endoprosthetics Program
If you are a candidate for joint replacement, I will help you with the paperwork; the waiting list is 3–9 months; the surgery takes place at a contracted hospital; the implant, operating room, and hospitalization are fully covered.
Step 5 — The Private Alternative
If the waiting time is not acceptable, the private option offers surgery scheduling within 2–4 weeks.
Step 6 — Recovery
For CAS patients, there are vouchers for spa treatment (Călimănești-Căciulata, Băile Govora, Olănești — near Pitești). Post-operative check-ups: 6 weeks + 3 months + 6 months + 12 months.
What to Bring to Your Consultation
Recent X-rays, MRI scans if available, a referral letter from your family doctor (for CAS), and a list of any medications you are currently taking.
Investigations Done in Pitești
- Hip and knee X-rays can be done locally (Pitești County Hospital, private clinics), and the films or CDs can be brought to the consultation.
- MRI, if recommended, is available at several imaging centers in Pitești.
- For patients with reduced mobility, a single trip can include both the consultation and any additional imaging done locally near the clinic in Craiova.
About MedLife Private Hospital Craiova
A multidisciplinary hospital inaugurated in 2024–2025, part of the MedLife network. It features a modern operating theatre with two rooms, one equipped with a collaborative digital system. 87 beds (35 for continuous hospitalization, 7 for ICU, 45 for day hospitalization). 24/7 anesthesia and ICU team. High-volume orthopedics department. Modern rooms, with accommodation for family members available.
Frequently Asked Questions from Patients in Argeș County
How often do I need to travel to Craiova?
For a typical joint replacement case: 5-6 trips in one year (1 initial consultation, 1 admission for surgery with a 4-6 day hospital stay, and 4 post-operative check-ups at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months).
Can I have my investigations (X-ray, MRI) done in Pitești?
Yes, absolutely. X-rays and MRIs can be done locally in Pitești. Please bring the CDs with the images and, if available, the radiological films to your consultation.
Is telemedicine available for post-operative check-ups?
For non-complicated cases, yes — we can discuss your progress over the phone or video, especially for intermediate check-ups.
What about accommodation in Craiova for family members?
There are hotels near the MedLife Private Hospital in Craiova. The hospital also has companion beds available for family members.
How does Craiova compare to Bucharest for the same type of surgery?
The surgical quality is comparable. Private healthcare costs are generally lower in Craiova, and waiting times for appointments are usually shorter than in Bucharest hospitals.
What should I do if complications arise on the way home?
Upon discharge, you will receive a concrete emergency plan: contact phone numbers, a list of hospitals in Pitești with an emergency orthopedic department, and the warning signs for which you should seek immediate medical attention.
I live in Câmpulung Muscel / Curtea de Argeș / Mioveni — does the distance matter?
Not significantly. From these towns, it's another 80–100 km to Craiova, which means an extra hour of driving compared to Pitești.
Contact
Clinic
2A Științei Street, Craiova, Dolj
If you are from Pitești and need an orthopedic evaluation, book a consultation. We will first discuss your condition and find the right solution. An initial assessment can clarify whether surgery is needed or if alternatives exist.
Book a Consultation