Prof. Etienne Cavaignac is one of France’s leading orthopedic and sports surgeons, treating complex knee injuries with state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Prof. Cavaignac received specialized surgical training at some of the top orthopedic hospitals in Europe.
Prof. Cavaignac has been an orthopedic surgeon for 15+ years and performs more than 1000 surgeries per year. This expertise has made Prof. Cavaignac a sought-after referral surgeon for a wide range of sports clubs. He works with soccer teams like Toulouse FC, Rodez Aveyron Football and Pau FC. His influence extends significantly into the rugby world, where he's trusted by the French Rugby Sevens National Team and numerous prominent clubs including Toulouse Olympique XIII, Stade Toulousain, Castres Olympiques, Section Paloise, USAP, CA Brive Corrèze and US Montauban. This diverse portfolio of top-tier teams across two sports underscores his reputation in treating and preventing sports-related injuries.
Recently awarded Gold Membership in the Medical Tourism Association (MTA), Prof. Cavaignac shares his experience as an orthopedic surgeon over the past decade and his plans for international patients.
What do you do and what is your experience in the healthcare industry?
I am an orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee surgery. I practice at the Toulouse University Hospital in the Clinique Universitaire du Sport located in France and I also practice in Andorra.
My clinical activity (over 1,000 surgeries per year) focuses exclusively on knee surgery. A significant proportion of these surgeries are related to sports traumatology, in particular anterior cruciate ligament injuries (500+ ACL reconstructions per year).
My research activity also focuses on the knee. I have contributed to over 200 publications in peer-reviewed medical journals. I am a member of the ACL Study Group that won the 2024 award for the most impactful VJSM publication of the year.
I am currently developing an “à la carte” approach to offer personalized surgery to patients. The aim is to understand why their injury happened, identify every individual lesion, and determine how to best treat it.
In addition to teaching at the Toulouse Faculty of Medicine (professor since 2020), I lecture about surgical technique to other surgeons in France and throughout the world. I am also developing an innovative educational approach through a new type of course for surgeons: https://www.practicalcourseorthopedics.com
How many international patients do you receive per year?
I receive 20-30 international patients every year from different parts of the world.
How do you see the future of medical travel?
We live in an increasingly globalized world, with multiple interactions and interconnections throughout the world. We don’t hesitate to travel to find the best of something, no matter where it is. This approach to excellence also applies to medicine. It's a relatively undeveloped field at the moment… one that can only grow.
Currently, there are countries where access to healthcare is very complicated, either because of a lack of facilities or because the standard of care is not good. At the same time, there are countries such as France, whose public health insurance system provides a high level of expertise and a high volume of activity, making it a destination of choice for high-quality care. Indeed, in surgery, experience and therefore volume of activity is a major factor in guaranteeing the highest quality care.
The evolution of connections and means of communication will inevitably bring together those who have a need and those who can provide a first-rate response. Medical travel will therefore become the top-of-the-range solution for people who want to be well looked after.
What is something unique that you do as a healthcare provider?
I offer comprehensive care for the entire patient, not just their knees! I use a personalized approach to offer surgery and postoperative care tailored to each patient. I have extensive experience in sports surgery (over 1000 surgeries per year), particularly for high-level athletes.
I work at the Toulouse University Hospital, a facility that meets all the highest international standards. Our center is regularly voted the best hospital in France. Within this hospital, there is a renowned facility for the treatment of sports-related injuries, the Clinique Universitaire du Sport. Our treatment choices incorporate scientifically validated techniques (more than 200 publications). We offer the best possible treatment to every patient, whether they are a recreational or professional athlete. We want to give every patient the care he or she deserves.
What services do you offer to medical travelers?
I perform both simple and complex knee procedures such as ACL reconstruction, lateral tenodesis, knee joint replacement, arthroscopic meniscal repair, and osteotomy.
Once the proposed treatment and the cost—which is fixed in advance with no hidden additional fees—has been approved by the patient during a teleconsultation, all the elements are managed by my team going forward. My team is always available by email.
Toulouse is an easily accessible regional hub. The international airport is less than 10 minutes from the hospital. The hospital is very modern and extremely well equipped (air-conditioning, WIFI, etc.). It is located in a recently revitalized area of the city with many hotels and is easily accessible from the city center or the airport.
As a patient, you will receive:
• All the equipment needed during your postoperative care (bandages, cold pack, compression stockings, crutches)
• A course of dietary supplements specific to the immediate post-operative phase
• Access to an online patient portal to coordinate your pre- and postoperative care
• An optional stay at a physiotherapy center specializing in treating athletes (additional cost)
• Unlimited contact with Prof. Cavaignac's team from anywhere in the world.
To learn more about Prof. Cavaignac’s services or to contact his team, click here.
