Specialty

정형외과 in Korea treat bones, joints, spine and sports injuries. Outpatient orthopedic clinics in Gangnam usually have X-ray and ultrasound on site, and some have MRI. Many combine a doctor's diagnosis with physical therapy, manual therapy and shockwave in the same building.

You can walk in without a referral. A typical first visit is a consultation, an X-ray (results in minutes) and, if needed, an ultrasound-guided injection on the same day. Spine and joint hospitals near Hakdong and Cheongdam handle MRI and surgery when outpatient care is not enough.

NHIS covers consultations, X-rays, standard injections and basic physical therapy for insured patients. MRI is covered only in specific cases. Manual therapy, shockwave, PRP and many specialty injections are non-covered, and visitors pay full price for all of it.

What to expect

Bring your passport and any recent scans or reports from home.
Wear clothes that allow easy access to the painful joint or your back.
X-ray results are usually discussed during the same visit.
Injections and shockwave can often be done on the first visit.
Payment is after treatment. Ask for an itemized receipt with diagnosis codes if you plan a travel insurance claim.

Tips for international patients

Ask for an English medical certificate (진단서) if you plan to claim on travel insurance. Clinics charge a small fee for it.
PRP usually needs 2 to 3 sessions a few weeks apart, so plan around your stay.
Bring your MRI on a disc or USB; many clinics can read it on the spot.

Last reviewed October 2026. General information only, not medical advice. A doctor confirms what suits you at consultation.

Orthopedics treatments

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): Acoustic pulses aimed at chronic tendon pain such as plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow and calcific shoulder. Usually 3 to 5 weekly sessions of about 10 minutes.
PRP Joint Injection (Knee): Your own platelet-rich plasma injected into the knee. Approved in Korea as new medical technology for mid-stage osteoarthritis. Usually 1 to 3 shots.
Spinal Injection (Nerve Block): Image-guided injection of local anesthetic and steroid near an irritated spinal nerve. Takes about 15 minutes; relief from days to several months.

Orthopedics clinics near Apgujeong

Jeil Orthopedic Hospital (제일정형외과병원)
Orthopedics, 8 min walk from Cheongdam Station
Apgujeong Note Orthopedic Clinic (압구정노트정형외과의원)
Orthopedics, 9 min walk from Apgujeong Station
Apgujeong Bon Orthopedic Clinic (압구정본정형외과의원)
Orthopedics, 4 min walk from Apgujeong Station
Eun Seungpyo Korea Orthopedic Clinic (은승표코리아정형외과의원)
Orthopedics, 11 min walk from Apgujeong Station

Orthopedics in Korea: questions

Do I need a referral to see an orthopedic doctor?

No. Outpatient clinics accept walk-ins and bookings without a referral.

Can I get an MRI on the same day?

At clinics or hospitals with their own scanner, often yes. Others will refer you to a nearby imaging center.

How many shockwave sessions are typical for plantar fasciitis?

Usually 3 to 5 sessions about a week apart. Some people feel a change after the first 2.

Is a cortisone injection the same as a PRP injection?

No. Cortisone reduces inflammation quickly. PRP uses your own platelets and acts more slowly over weeks.

Will travel insurance cover my visit?

Many policies pay for acute injuries. Keep the receipt, the detailed bill (진료비 세부내역서) and an English diagnosis certificate.

Can I get a knee brace or insoles at the clinic?

Many orthopedic clinics sell braces and can refer you for custom insoles. Off-the-shelf supports are usually available on the day.

Questions before you visit?

Specialty · 정형외과

Orthopedic Clinics in Apgujeong

At a glance