International Patients

The issues confronting Canadians related to having joint replacement surgery in Canada vs. the United States

Canadians are fortunate in that they enjoy a great healthcare system where costs are covered, as the cost of healthcare is paid for by national taxes. For emergency care, there is little difference between the Canadian healthcare system and the United States healthcare system.

However, there is a huge difference when the healthcare problem relates to non-emergency surgeries like hip replacement surgery, knee replacement surgery, hip dysplasia surgery or hip preservation surgery.

All these surgeries relieve the person from excruciating pain from arthritis and bone-on-bone joint discomfort that can eliminate a person’s ability to walk, let along enjoy their recreational activities.

Worse, in the case of hip dysplasia, the longer a person delays hip preservation surgery, the joint can become irreparably damaged, which can be devastating to the person’s quality of life.

Consequently, hip replacement surgery, knee replacement surgery, hip dysplasia surgery and hip preservation surgery that would otherwise get the person quickly back to their life, their job, and their favorite recreational activities, can be delayed for two years within the Canadian healthcare system.

Worse, even essential MRI diagnostic studies can involve being on a six month long waiting list. This can further lengthen the waiting time for hip surgery or knee surgery as the primary care physician doesn’t have the appropriate diagnostic studies to be able to even refer the person to a hip surgeon or knee surgeon for assessment of the damaged joint.

According to the Fraser Institute report which audits waiting times in Canada for treatment, the report cited that in addition to waiting for treatment, the Canadian patient also has to be very “patient” through the diagnostic process as well. The report noted that the AVERAGE waiting time for an MRI — which is the typically one of the basic diagnostic tests for knee and hip joint problems — is three months.

What is the waiting time for hip replacement surgery or knee replacement surgery in Canada?

According to the Canadian province of Alberta, the waiting time for Hip Replacement Surgery for someone living in Calgary is 63 weeks, or more than a year and 2 months. For the entire province of Alberta, the average waiting time for Hip Replacement Surgery is 73 weeks, or about a year and a half. The waiting time for Hip Replacement Surgery for someone living in Edmonton is 64 weeks, or more than a year and 2 months.

The waiting time for Knee Replacement Surgery in Canada is even worse. According to the Canadian province of Alberta, the waiting time for Knee Replacement Surgery for someone living in Calgary is 88 weeks, or almost 2 years. The waiting time for Knee Replacement Surgery for someone living in Edmonton is 84 weeks. For the entire province of Alberta, the average waiting time for Knee Replacement Surgery is 94 weeks, or about 2 years.