Executive Summary
- For elective joint replacement surgeries, Canadians often face long wait times of 6 to 12 or more months, encouraging many medical tourists to travel to the U.S. for faster access to high-quality care.
- The United States offers more specialized medical facilities than Canada, many of which are equipped with cutting-edge technology like robotic-assisted systems.
- Although joint replacement surgeries in the U.S. require many patients to pay out of pocket, reliable medical centers like the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale offer transparent, economical pricing.
- Traveling for surgery requires careful planning, from securing documentation and completing virtual pre-surgery consultations to booking direct flights, arranging for mobility assistance, and bringing a support person.
Why the Country You Choose for Surgery Matters
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. Unfortunately, when you’re living with joint pain, every day spent waiting for surgery can feel like an eternity, making it essential to get treatment as soon as possible.
Providing an alternative to joint replacement wait times in Canada, which can sometimes last many months or even over a year, the United States operates primarily on a private healthcare model. While out-of-country medical tourists will likely have to pay out of pocket for U.S. medical services, most Canadian patients believe it is worth it due to the benefits of quicker access to care, more specialized surgeons, and the latest surgical innovations.
You should read through the considerations below to better understand the pros and cons of getting a joint replacement surgery in Canada vs. the U.S.
Wait Times & Accessibility
Surgery wait times can affect a patient’s comfort levels, long-term mobility, and recovery potential. As illustrated below, how quickly you can get your joint replacement surgery depends heavily on the healthcare system you choose.
Canada
In Canada’s public system, orthopedic surgery wait times are often measured in months rather than weeks due to the disproportionately high demand and smaller force of qualified medical professionals.
From initial referral to surgery, the wait time for hip or knee replacement in Canada can span 6 to 12 months or more. In some cases, Canadian patients with more severe or urgent cases are scheduled sooner, meaning people with lower pain scores may wait longer.
While some provinces allow patients to pay for private orthopedic surgery, availability is minimal and may require travel to another province.
United States
The U.S. healthcare system offers a very different experience from what is found in Canada. For instance, U.S. facilities typically have shorter wait times. This means that Canadians can access surgery sooner by traveling to the United States. In fact, many medical tourists are able to schedule surgery within weeks of their initial consultation. This is because the United States has private hospitals and clinics with dedicated orthopedic centers, meaning they will likely have higher availability of surgical slots.
If rapid access to surgery is your priority, the U.S. can offer a significant advantage due to its scheduling speed. Plus, some U.S. medical facilities have medical tourism programs designed specifically for international patients, making it easier on Canadians by offering bundled pricing and concierge-style services to coordinate care.
Quality of Care & Surgical Expertise
Both the United States and Canada have highly trained orthopedic surgeons, but their availability and level of specialization can vary greatly, as depicted below.
Canada
Canada’s orthopedic surgeons are highly trained and skilled, especially those in larger cities and teaching hospitals. Most surgical protocols and quality standards are consistent across the entire public system, ensuring patients receive safe, evidence-based care regardless of where their procedure is performed in Canada. However, patients generally have little to no choice in selecting their surgeon or hospital, which limits their control over their own surgery.
United States
In the U.S., patients have more options—they can pick highly specialized doctors who focus exclusively on joint replacement and perform hundreds of such surgeries per year. Patients can also choose doctors who employ advanced techniques like minimally invasive surgery with muscle-sparing approaches that can expedite recovery.
Even though both countries can deliver excellent outcomes, the U.S. gives patients the unmatched ability to select their surgeon, facility, and even request specific surgical technologies.
Technology & Innovation
Access to cutting-edge technology can influence the precision of a surgery, which plays a significant role in the patient’s recovery time and the long-term results they experience. So you should take the following technological considerations into account.
Canada
Canadian hospitals use safe and proven surgical tools. However, it typically takes these publicly-funded facilities longer to adopt the latest innovations, partly due to budget constraints and provincial approval processes, which can be slow and restrictive. So, although care in Canada is reliable, patients may not always have access to cutting-edge equipment like the surgical robots or advanced imaging systems that are seen in the United States.
United States
The impressive advanced technology offered in many orthopedic facilities in the United States is one of the most noteworthy reasons Canadians choose U.S. surgeons. Some examples of innovative tools and approaches patients may have access to in the United States are:
- Robotic-assisted joint replacement through equipment like Mako SmartRobotics™ and the CORI surgical system, which offer increased precision
- 3D imaging for pre-surgical planning
- Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols for faster rehabilitation
In short, if accessing the newest technology is important to you, traveling to the United States may be the best option.
At The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale, we are experts in robotic surgery, using the latest technology and compassionate care to provide an exceptional level of joint care.Transform Your Life for the Better
Costs & Insurance
The financial aspect of joint replacement surgery varies widely between Canada and the United States, making it essential to understand what’s covered before you commit to a joint replacement surgery in either country. The following information can help you tailor your expectations.
Canada
Provincial health plans usually cover the full cost of medically necessary joint replacement surgeries but not elective ones. This means that out-of-pocket expenses are usually minimal. However, travel and accommodation costs may apply if you have to go to another province for your joint replacement surgery.
United States
Although Canadians typically have to pay out of pocket for U.S.-based joint replacement surgeries, many medical tourism providers offer all-inclusive packages with affordable, transparent pricing that is easy to predict. Nevertheless, prices depend on location, facility, and complexity of the procedure.
Sometimes, travel insurance plans or financing programs can help manage medical tourism expenses. Even if you do have to pay out of pocket, the investment of a U.S. surgery can be worth it due to the faster recovery and earlier return to work or daily life, which can offset costs for some patients.
Recovery Support & Follow-up
Your surgery is only the beginning of your journey to healthier, more functional joints. Post-operative rehabilitation is imperative to the long-term success of your implant, and each country handles post-op care differently.
Canada
In Canada’s public system, many rehabilitation services involve wait times, especially in high-demand parts of the country. Thankfully, private physiotherapy is usually available sooner, but it must be paid out of pocket. Since post-surgery rehabilitation is a crucial part of joint replacement recovery, it is important to consider the U.S. for its rehab-conducive environment.
United States
One of the most noteworthy benefits Canadians get from private knee surgery or hip replacement in the United States is the top-of-the-line recovery support. U.S. care models often integrate surgery and rehab for a more seamless recovery experience. Typically, rehab begins within 24 hours of surgery, and it is based on customized therapy plans that are designed around your lifestyle and recovery goals.
If you live in Canada, you can take advantage of the United States’ impeccable recovery support by choosing to extend your stay for on-site rehabilitation and monitoring before returning home.
Travel Considerations
Although it yields a myriad of unique benefits, as illustrated above, traveling for surgery adds an extra layer of logistics. Nevertheless, careful planning can make the process smooth. Some travel considerations Canadians should keep in mind are:
- Documentation – You’ll need a valid passport and relevant medical records. You may also need a referral letter from a medical provider in your home country.
- Pre-surgery consultation – In many cases, Canadians can meet with their U.S. surgeon virtually to complete their pre-surgery consultation.
- Flight arrangements – Consider scheduling direct flights to minimize travel-related strain on your joints.
- Post-op mobility – If needed, it is a good idea to arrange for wheelchair assistance or mobility aids in advance to ensure availability.
- Support person – Having a helpful companion take the journey with you can make travel and recovery easier and more enjoyable.
Many U.S. orthopedic centers, especially if you choose Scottsdale for your medical tourism needs, provide concierge-level assistance, meaning they can offer reliable suggestions for coordinating flights, ground transportation, and lodging. In many cases, the teams at U.S. medical facilities can even suggest areas for local sightseeing once you have been cleared for light activity.
Deciding What’s Best for You
Choosing where to have your joint replacement surgery is ultimately up to you and your preferences. Some factors to consider for this deeply personal decision are:
- How urgently you need surgery
- Your budget for medical care and travel expenses
- Your overall comfort level with traveling for treatment
- How important it is to access advanced technology
- How much post-surgery recovery support you desire
If you are contemplating medical tourism, a practical next step is to consult with both your local orthopedic surgeon and a joint replacement specialist based in the United States to compare options, timelines, and recovery strategies.
Choose the Right Team for Your Recovery
By traveling to the United States, many medical tourists can undergo procedures within weeks of their initial consultation, thanks to the high availability of surgical slots in private hospitals and specialized orthopedic centers. So, if you are from Canada and quick access to surgery and dependable results are essential to you, the United States’ healthcare system may offer you the advantages you are looking for.
When choosing a U.S. joint replacement surgeon, you should look for a team with proven expertise, access to advanced technology, and a personalized approach to care—the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale offers all of this and so much more. Being able to give people the care they need when they need it drives us; we are proud to be a popular choice for Canadians seeking timely, high-quality knee or hip replacement surgery.
Regardless of what country you are from, we can take care of you from your initial virtual consultation to your safe return home so that you can focus on your recovery. Contact our team today to schedule an initial consultation.