Orthopedic Surgeon for Patients from Râmnicu Vâlcea & Vâlcea County
Patients from Râmnicu Vâlcea & Vâlcea County — Consultations, Joint Replacement, Arthroscopy
I am Dr. Alexandru Grecu, a senior consultant orthopedic surgeon based in Craiova. I regularly see patients from Râmnicu Vâlcea and the rest of Vâlcea county for hip, knee, and shoulder evaluations, for both conservative treatments and surgical procedures.
Book a ConsultationWhy Patients from Vâlcea County Travel to Craiova
Râmnicu Vâlcea and Craiova are separated by approximately 110 km, a 1h 30min drive on DN67. For patients needing a specialized procedure or an informed second opinion, this distance is reasonable, especially compared to traveling to Bucharest or Cluj.
Patients from Vâlcea county choose our Craiova clinic for several practical reasons: access to high-volume joint replacement surgery at a specialized center (MedLife Private Hospital Craiova — with a newly inaugurated multidisciplinary operating theatre); shorter waiting times for appointments compared to Bucharest hospitals; the option of using the National Endoprosthesis Program (CAS); continuity of care — the same doctor from consultation through to surgery and recovery; and more accessible private healthcare costs than in Bucharest.
Specific advantage for patients from Vâlcea: the partner spa resorts under Romanian National Health Insurance (CAS) — Călimănești-Căciulata, Băile Olănești, Băile Govora — are all in Vâlcea County. Post-operative recovery can be done very close to home.
Conditions for which I see patients from Vâlcea County
Knee
- • Knee replacement (total or partial arthroplasty) for knee osteoarthritis
- • Knee arthroscopy — meniscus tear, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, cartilage damage
- • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction
- • PRP or hyaluronic acid injections
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 Râmnicu Vâlcea
Route
Râmnicu Vâlcea → DN67 → Craiova. Approximate distance: 110 km / 1h 30min by car, on DN67. Alternatives: Râmnicu Vâlcea–Craiova train (not recommended, long journey); regular bus service.
Clinic / Consultation Location
MedLife Private Hospital Craiova, Str. Științei nr. 2A, 200440 Craiova, Dolj. On-site parking available. Near Auchan Craiova — Electroputere.
For Surgical Procedures
Private route — MedLife Private Hospital Craiova, Str. Științei nr. 2A. CAS route via the National Endoprosthesis Program — Craiova County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Str. Tabaci nr. 1.
Served Localities
Râmnicu Vâlcea, Drăgășani, Călimănești, Băile Olănești, Băile Govora, Horezu — all within 60–140 km of Craiova.
CAS Route for Patients from Other Counties
Step 1 — Referral Letter
Your family doctor in Râmnicu Vâlcea can provide a referral letter to the Orthopedics and Traumatology specialty. The letter does not need to specify a particular doctor's name.
Step 2 — Booking
Call 0251 960 (MedLife) or +40 787 210 391. Appointments available within 1–3 weeks.
Step 3 — The Consultation
Bring the referral letter, CAS card, and any investigation results. We will discuss your case and I will explain all options — CAS or private.
Step 4 — Enrollment in the National Endoprosthesis Program
If you are a candidate for a joint replacement, I will assist with the paperwork; the waiting list is 3–9 months; the surgery takes place at a contracted hospital; the implant, surgery, 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, spa treatment vouchers can be for Călimănești-Căciulata, Băile Olănești, or Băile Govora — all in your county. Post-operative check-ups: 6 weeks + 3 months + 6 months + 12 months.
What to Bring to Your Consultation
Recent X-rays, MRI if available, referral letter from your family doctor (for CAS), and a list of your current medications.
Investigations Done in Râmnicu Vâlcea
- Hip and knee X-rays can be done locally (Vâlcea County Hospital, private clinics in Râmnicu Vâlcea), and the films or CDs can be brought to the consultation.
- The MRI, if recommended, is available at several imaging centers in Râmnicu Vâlcea.
- For patients with reduced mobility, a single trip can include both the consultation and any additional imaging assessments done locally near the clinic in Craiova.
About MedLife Private Hospital Craiova
A multidisciplinary hospital inaugurated in 2024–2025, part of the MedLife network. Features a modern operating theatre with two operating rooms, one equipped with a collaborative digital system. It has 87 beds (35 for continuous hospitalization, 7 for ICU, 45 for day-case surgery). 24/7 anesthesia and ICU team. High-volume orthopedic department. Modern rooms, accommodation for family members available.
Frequently Asked Questions from Patients in Vâlcea County
How often do I need to come to Craiova?
For a typical replacement surgery case: 5–6 trips in one year (1 initial consultation, 1 admission for surgery with 4–6 days of hospitalization, 4 post-operative check-ups at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months).
Can I have the investigations (X-ray, MRI) done in Râmnicu Vâlcea?
Yes. X-rays and MRIs can be done locally, in Râmnicu Vâlcea or Drăgășani. Bring the CDs with the images and, if available, the radiological films to the 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.
Accommodation in Craiova for relatives?
There are hotels near the MedLife Private Hospital in Craiova. The hospital also has companion beds available for relatives.
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 Râmnicu Vâlcea with an emergency orthopedics department, and warning signs for which you should seek immediate medical attention.
Contact
Clinic
Str. Științei nr. 2A, Craiova, Dolj
If you are from Râmnicu Vâlcea or another town in Vâlcea county and need an orthopedic evaluation, book a consultation. We will first discuss your condition and find the right solution. For patients from Vâlcea, Craiova is often a more practical option than clinics in the north.
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