Mexico’s social security institute, IMSS, says its surgical marathons (“jornadas quirúrgicas”) are shortening waiting lists for joint replacement and other high-demand operations. From January through August 2026, IMSS held 1,164 jornadas and performed 16,067 additional surgeries, La Crónica reported on October 7, 2026.
Orthopedics among the top specialties
According to IMSS, the specialties with the most demand and participation are:
- Traumatology and orthopedics, mainly spine surgery and knee and hip replacement
- Ophthalmology, mainly cataract surgery
Better follow-up after surgery
For the orthopedic jornadas, IMSS added a tracking record for every patient. It logs the surgery, days in the hospital, any repeat operations, discharge date, appointments, rehabilitation sessions and, for workers, sick leave and return-to-work date. Patients are monitored in the hospital and then followed in outpatient clinics and rehabilitation when needed, as is common after joint replacement and spine surgery.
Orthopedics also growing in Baja medical tourism
On the private side, orthopedics is one of the specialties that has rebounded in Baja California’s medical tourism market, Fabián Walters, president of the Baja Health Cluster, told Grupo Animal on October 12, 2026.
Tips for joint replacement patients
- Ask about rehabilitation. Physical therapy after a knee or hip replacement matters as much as the surgery itself.
- Check the surgeon’s certification. In Mexico, orthopedic surgeons can be certified by the Mexican Council of Orthopedics and Traumatology (CMOT).
- Know the implant. Ask which brand and model will be used, and get the implant record for your files.
Resumen en español
De enero a agosto de 2026, el IMSS realizó 1,164 jornadas quirúrgicas con 16,067 intervenciones adicionales para reducir listas de espera. Traumatología y ortopedia, en especial cirugía de columna y reemplazo de rodilla y cadera, y oftalmología, sobre todo cirugía de catarata, están entre las especialidades con mayor demanda. En ortopedia se implementó una cédula de seguimiento para cada paciente. Además, el Baja Health Cluster reporta un repunte de la ortopedia en el turismo médico de Baja California.
Sources: La Crónica, October 7, 2026; Grupo Animal, October 12, 2026.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice.
