For many patients, the first 24 to 72 hours after a surgery can be the most challenging part of the healing process. Pain may be the most prominent during this time, since the body is working hard to repair tissues, control inflammation, and restore function.
Canada’s publicly funded healthcare system attempts to make medically necessary surgeries affordable or sometimes free at the point of care. However, the trade-off is often long delays, especially when accessing procedures like hip replacements or knee replacements.
Many Canadians travel abroad for joint replacement surgery, often heading to places like the United States. In turn, these patients can circumvent Canada’s joint replacement wait times and get quicker access to highly specialized orthopedic care.
Minimally invasive hip replacement is a surgical technique that replaces the damaged hip joint with as few incisions as possible. By creating only one or two 3 to 6-inch incisions, surgeons are able to minimize disruption to surrounding muscles and soft tissue.
Approximately 760,000 hip replacements are performed on Americans each year. The procedure is incredibly popular due to its high success rate of relieving pain and restoring mobility in people with severe joint issues caused by arthritis, injury, or degeneration.
Any patient traveling from Canada or another country to receive joint replacement surgery in the United States must consider various logistics. U.S.-based medical providers can help prepare the body and mind for surgery and provide suggestions for packing.
With the right surgeon on your side, a joint replacement surgery can drastically enhance your quality of life by improving your mobility and alleviating pain. However, to receive the most optimal results possible, evaluating the specialist performing the procedure is essential.
Dr. Shane Martin
