The prevalence of knee pain has increased by nearly 65% over the past two decades, resulting in a rise in demand for knee surgery across the Great White North. However, Canada’s public healthcare system has been struggling to keep up with the heightened demands, forcing many Canadians to wait anywhere from 6 months to a year or more for their surgery.
Traveling to another region or country for medical care is known as medical tourism. This trend has been skyrocketing in popularity; in fact, the total medical tourism market size is projected to grow by 144% from 2024 to 2030.
Over time, the repetitive impact of running can take a toll on the joints, making knee injuries a common setback faced by runners of all levels. Whether you’re a recreational runner or a seasoned marathoner, you may be vulnerable to knee injuries from various sources, including overuse, poor running mechanics, or weak supporting muscles.
For many people, there is a direct correlation between pregnancy and knee pain, as joint discomfort can be caused by the hormonal and posture changes, weight gain, or fluid retention that are all a natural part of pregnancy. Even so, you shouldn’t have to live with knee pain during pregnancy—those nine months are hard enough as is.
Many expectant mothers experience hip pain during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters, due to the natural adjustments the human body makes to accommodate a growing baby. More specifically, most pregnancy hip pain stems from hormonal shifts, weight gain, or changes in posture.
Some people admire Canada for its publicly funded approach to healthcare; however, when it comes to elective surgeries, such as hip and knee surgery, patients often encounter frustrating delays that jeopardize their well-being.
As wait times for orthopedic surgeries in Canada continue to rise, an increasing number of Canadians are turning to medical tourism to access the timely and specialized care they need.
Dr. Shane Martin
