Orthopedic Surgeon for Patients from Slatina & Olt County

    Patients from Slatina & Olt County — Consultations, Joint Replacement, Arthroscopy

    I am Dr. Alexandru Grecu, a senior consultant orthopedic surgeon based in Craiova. I regularly see patients from Slatina and the rest of Olt county for hip, knee, and shoulder evaluations, for both conservative treatments and surgical procedures.

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    Why Patients from Olt County Travel to Craiova

    Slatina is the closest county capital to Craiova—approximately 50 km, a 50-minute drive on DN65. For patients from Olt, Craiova is practically the most accessible orthopedic reference center.

    Patients from Olt 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 Olt: the shortest distance of all surrounding counties. The consultation, check-up, or an imaging investigation can be comfortably done in a single day, without accommodation.

    Conditions for which I see patients from Olt 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

    Knee replacement

    Total or partial arthroplasty for knee osteoarthritis.

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    Hip replacement

    Total arthroplasty for hip osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, and adult hip dysplasia.

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    Knee arthroscopy

    Meniscus tears, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, cartilage damage, ACL reconstruction.

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    Shoulder arthroplasty

    Shoulder replacement (anatomic and reverse).

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    PRP and hyaluronic acid injections

    Regenerative treatment for osteoarthritis and tendinopathies.

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    Logistics for Patients from Slatina

    Route

    Slatina → DN65 → Craiova. Approximate distance: 50 km / 50 min by car, on DN65. Alternatives: Slatina–Craiova train (1h 30min); regular coach / minibus (1h 15min).

    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

    Slatina, Caracal, Balș, Drăgănești-Olt, Corabia — all within 50–100 km of Craiova.

    CAS Route for Patients from Other Counties

    Step 1 — Referral Letter

    Your family doctor in Slatina 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 Romanian National Health Insurance (CAS) patients, spa treatment vouchers are available (Călimănești-Căciulata, Băile Govora, Olănești). Post-operative check-ups: 6 weeks + 3 months + 6 months + 12 months—all feasible within a single day, without an overnight stay.

    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 Slatina

    • Hip and knee X-rays can be done locally (Slatina County Hospital, private clinics), and the films or CDs can be brought to the consultation.
    • The MRI, if recommended, is available at several imaging centers in Slatina.
    • 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 Olt County

    How often will I need to travel to Craiova?

    For a typical joint replacement case: 5–6 trips over one year (1 initial consultation, 1 hospital 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 my investigations (X-ray, MRI) done in Slatina?

    Yes, absolutely. X-rays and MRIs can be done locally in Slatina. Please bring the image CDs 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.

    Is accommodation available in Craiova for family members?

    There are hotels near MedLife Private Hospital Craiova. The hospital also has companion beds available for accompanying 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 appointment waiting times are typically shorter than in Bucharest hospitals.

    What should I do if complications arise on my way home?

    Upon discharge, you will receive a concrete emergency plan: contact phone numbers, a list of hospitals in Slatina with emergency orthopedic departments, and warning signs that require immediate medical attention.

    Contact

    Clinic

    Str. Științei nr. 2A, Craiova, Dolj

    If you are from Slatina or another town in Olt county and need an orthopedic evaluation, book a consultation. We will first discuss your condition and find the right solution. For patients from Olt, the short distance makes post-operative check-ups very easy to organize.

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