Dr. Gabriel Garavito, Orthopedic Surgeon

Dr. Gabriel Garavito is a board-certified orthopedic and trauma surgeon with advanced fellowship training in adult hip and knee replacement. He is an expert in the anterior approach to hip replacement, a minimally invasive technique.

He sees patients at Hospital CMQ Riviera Nayarit, serving Bucerías, Nuevo Vallarta and Puerto Vallarta, and consults in English and Spanish.

About Dr. Garavito

Dr. Garavito earned his medical degree at the University of Guadalajara. He completed his orthopedic residency and his adult joint replacement fellowship at Hospital Civil de Guadalajara, one of Mexico’s largest teaching hospitals. He also serves as a Department Head at Hospital Civil de Guadalajara, where he treats complex cases every day.

He has refined the anterior approach to hip replacement, which reaches the joint between the muscles instead of cutting through them. For suitable candidates, this can mean less pain after surgery and a faster return to walking. He also holds a Master’s degree in Health Services Management, which shapes how he coordinates every step of your care — from the first evaluation through rehabilitation.

What conditions does he treat?

Hip and knee osteoarthritis

Wear and tear of the cartilage that cushions the joint. It causes pain, stiffness, and swelling that worsen over time, and it is the most common reason people need a joint replacement.

Arthritis with progressive deformity

When arthritis changes the shape of the knee (bow-legged or knock-kneed) or the hip, the joint loses motion and stability. He evaluates whether conservative treatment or replacement surgery is the better option.

Fractures

Including hip fractures in older adults and other fractures that need surgery to fix the bone with plates, rods or screws (internal fixation).

Ligament and meniscus injuries

Knee ligament tears, meniscus injuries and sprains — common in sports or after a twist or fall. Many can be treated arthroscopically.

Sports injuries

Whether it happened on the golf course, the tennis court or a hiking trail, he evaluates and treats activity-related injuries so you can move safely again.

Considering joint replacement in Mexico? What to know

Many patients from the U.S. and Canada choose to have their hip or knee replacement in the Puerto Vallarta area. If you are planning, keep these points in mind:

• Send your imaging first. Recent X-rays or MRI results let the doctor give you an initial opinion before you book travel.
• Plan your stay. Your surgeon will tell you how long to stay in the area after surgery for follow-up and early rehabilitation.
• Ask about flying. Long flights after joint surgery increase the risk of blood clots. Your surgeon will tell you when it is safe to fly and what precautions to take.
• Arrange follow-up at home. Ask for a written summary of your surgery and recovery plan to share with your doctor and physical therapist back home.

When should I see an orthopedic surgeon?

• Hip or knee pain that lasts more than a few weeks or wakes you up at night.
• Stiffness when you get up or after sitting.
• Difficulty walking, climbing stairs or putting on your shoes.
• Pain medication or physical therapy no longer help.
• Your leg is changing shape, or your knee “gives way.”
• A sports injury with swelling or instability.

If you fall and cannot put weight on your leg, or there is an obvious deformity, go to our 24/7 Emergency Room.

What to expect at your first visit

The doctor will ask how your pain started and how it affects your daily life. He then checks the joint’s motion and strength and reviews your imaging.

Bring previous X-rays, MRI or CT scans, a list of your medications, and any reports from past surgeries. If new imaging is needed, it can be done at the same hospital. You will leave knowing what is going on with your joint and what your options are, with or without surgery