Orthopedic Surgeon for Patients from Târgu Jiu & Gorj County
Patients from Târgu Jiu & Gorj County — Consultations, Joint Replacement, Arthroscopy
I am Dr. Alexandru Grecu, a senior consultant orthopedic surgeon based in Craiova. I regularly see patients from Târgu Jiu and the rest of Gorj county for hip, knee, and shoulder evaluations, for both conservative treatments and surgical procedures.
Book a ConsultationWhy Patients from Gorj County Travel to Craiova
Târgu Jiu and Craiova are approximately 120 km apart, a 2-hour drive on DN66 / DN67. For patients from Gorj County, Craiova is a much more practical alternative than traveling to Timișoara when seeking an orthopedic evaluation or surgery.
Patients from Gorj 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.
For post-operative recovery, there is the Băile Săcelu resort right in Gorj County, as well as Călimănești-Căciulata or Băile Govora in Vâlcea (accessible from Gorj). The Craiova – recovery resort chain works well for patients from Gorj.
Conditions for which I see patients from Gorj 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 Târgu Jiu
Route
Târgu Jiu → DN66 / DN67 → Craiova. Approximate distance: 120 km / 2h by car, on DN66 / DN67. Alternatives: Târgu Jiu–Craiova train (3 hours — not recommended); bus (2h 30min).
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
Târgu Jiu, Motru, Țicleni, Bumbești-Jiu, Tismana, Novaci — all within 100–150 km of Craiova.
CAS Route for Patients from Other Counties
Step 1 — Referral Letter
Your family doctor in Târgu Jiu 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 can be for Băile Săcelu (in Gorj) or Călimănești-Căciulata and Băile Govora (in Vâlcea). 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 Târgu Jiu
- Hip and knee X-rays can be done locally (Târgu Jiu 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 Târgu Jiu.
- 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 Gorj 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 Târgu Jiu?
Yes, absolutely. X-rays and MRIs can be done locally in Târgu Jiu. 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 Târgu Jiu with emergency orthopedic departments, and warning signs that require immediate medical attention.
Contact
Clinic
Str. Științei nr. 2A, Craiova, Dolj
If you are from Târgu Jiu or another town in Gorj county and need an orthopedic evaluation, book a consultation. We will first discuss your condition and find the right solution. For patients from Gorj County, Craiova is usually the closest valid option for arthroplasties and arthroscopies.
Book a Consultation