Benefits of Private Hip Surgery for Canadians

Key Takeaways

• Canada’s public healthcare system often causes patients to wait upwards of 26 weeks for hip replacement surgery, but medical tourism can provide access to private joint replacement centers with more convenient availability.
• By reducing wait times, private hip surgery can lead to better surgical outcomes, faster relief, and improved mobility.
• When traveling to the United States for private hip surgery, most Canadian patients pay out of pocket. However, some private insurance policies or personal savings accounts may offer financial assistance.
• Scottsdale, Arizona, is a popular destination for Canadians seeking private hip surgery due to the city’s access to expert care, transparent pricing, and a welcoming environment for recovery.

Why More Canadians Are Considering Private Hip Surgery

Chronic hip pain can negatively impact someone’s quality of life by restricting mobility, hindering sleep, and reducing independence to the point of making everyday activities difficult. Therefore, it is essential to address hip issues promptly; however, this is not always possible for everyone.

Despite the best efforts of Canada’s public healthcare system, many Canadians face wait times of 6 to 18 months or longer to get hip replacement surgery. During that time, pain tends to worsen, and mobility can decrease. To avoid prolonged delays, an increasing number of Canadians are circumventing their country’s public healthcare system and opting for private alternatives abroad.

Private hip surgery in the United States offers a way to skip unnecessarily long wait times for joint replacement in Canada and receive expert care sooner. Specifically, Scottsdale, Arizona, has become a preferred destination for Canadians seeking timely, top-tier surgical care, since the city offers fast access to skilled orthopedic surgeons and advanced technology.

Read through the considerations below to gain a better understanding of what to expect from private hip surgery and the benefits it can offer.

The Canadian Healthcare Bottleneck

In Canada, joint replacement surgeries, such as total hip arthroplasties, are typically managed through the country’s public healthcare system. Although Canada’s publicly funded healthcare makes surgery sound easily accessible, the demand far outweighs the available resources, leading to long wait times that further jeopardize residents’ health.

In fact, the Canadian Institute for Health Information reported that only 66% of patients received hip replacement surgery within 26 weeks in 2023, illustrating a 9% decrease since 2019. Many patients with delayed hip surgeries have to endure unnecessary pain, restricted movement, and reduced quality of life for months or even years before a medical professional can give them the relief they deserve.

Some potential consequences of waiting too long to get a hip replacement include:

• Worsened joint degeneration
• Muscle atrophy that causes stability issues
• Prolonged dependence on medication for pain relief
• Decline in mental health due to chronic pain

Wait times aside, Canada’s public healthcare system is often limited in the amount of one-on-one care it can provide. Overloaded caseloads can deprive patients of individualized attention both before and after surgery, potentially hindering overall outcomes.

Explaining Private Hip Surgery

Private hip surgery offers an alternative path to traditional, publicly funded healthcare in Canada, prioritizing timeliness and personalization to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Some examples of ways that private care differs from the public system include:

• Patients have more control over choosing their surgeon and surgery timeline
• Procedures are performed in high-quality facilities with shorter wait times
• Care is tailored to the individual’s needs every step of the way, from the pre-operative assessment to the recovery stages.

Types of Hip Surgery Executed by Private Orthopedic Centers

In the United States, private orthopedic centers like the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale offer various types of hip surgery, such as:

• Anterior total hip replacement – Complete replacement of the hip joint with a prosthetic device via a minimally invasive, direct anterior approach, involving an incision over the front of the hip and a muscle-spreading technique.
• Partial hip replacement – Sometimes, small fractures or other minor forms of damage can be addressed by replacing only part of the hip joint.
• Total hip revision – Injuries, natural deterioration, or improperly installed prosthetics may demand a follow-up surgery to correct or improve a previous hip replacement.

Why Choose Scottsdale for Private Hip Surgery?

In recent years, Scottsdale, Arizona, has emerged as a leading destination for medical tourism. The city offers top-tier orthopedic care in a supportive, sunny environment that patients love. 

The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale is a key factor in Arizona’s significant increase in Canadian patients seeking hip replacement surgery. Our experienced team of joint specialists is spearheaded by board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Shane Martin, who specializes in joint replacement and revision surgeries using advanced, robot-assisted techniques that are minimally invasive.

Some things that set us apart from other private hip surgery options are:

• Expertise – The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale has been performing hip replacements since 2006, delivering excellent outcomes that have given relief to numerous patients.
• Advanced technology – We use cutting-edge robotic equipment, such as Mako SmartRobotics™, to ensure precision during surgery and promote a faster recovery.
• Ideal climate – Scottsdale’s warm, dry weather provides the perfect backdrop for the early stages of healing. The higher temperatures can improve blood flow to joints and reduce stiffness.
• Prime location – There are many direct flights connecting Phoenix to major Canadian cities, making getting here stress-free and straightforward.

Many Canadian patients appreciate Scottsdale’s ease of travel, the familiarity of language and culture, and the ability to pair surgery with a restful recovery thanks to the nearby world-class resorts and relaxing entertainment opportunities.

The Benefits: Faster Access, Better Outcomes

One of the most significant advantages of choosing private hip surgery is speed. For example, at the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale, Canadian patients can usually be seen by a surgeon within 4 weeks, which is exponentially quicker than the 6-month and year-long waits that many Canadians experience through their public healthcare system.

Early surgical intervention can lead to better outcomes. This means choosing private hip surgery with shorter wait times than what is offered by public healthcare can help you prevent further joint damage, reduce chronic pain, and increase your chances of returning to an active lifestyle sooner.

Some benefits the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale’s patients receive that exceed those of the public system are:

• 1:1 attention with our compassionate, knowledgeable care team
• Thorough pre-op preparation and dependable post-op follow-up
• A customized recovery plan tailored to your specific lifestyle and goals

Cost Considerations and Value

Going outside of Canada’s publicly funded healthcare system for medical attention usually requires Canadians to pay out of pocket for their services. Sometimes, private insurance policies or personal savings accounts can help offset the cost. Regardless, independently paying for a private hip replacement in the United States can be more affordable than you think, and the benefits make the investment well worth it. 

Some examples of things that are bundled into the Joint Replacement of Scottsdale’s economical hip replacement surgery cost are:

• Pre-operative assessments and virtual consultations
• Surgical fees that cover equipment and prosthetic costs
• Surgeon and anesthesia fees
• Post-operative follow-up and guidance

Our straightforward, transparent pricing eliminates surprise bills. Our team is committed to your health and financial well-being, so we provide a comprehensive cost breakdown to help you make an informed decision. Our Canadian patients agree that the overall value outweighs the upfront financial investment, especially when compared to the cost of prolonged pain and lost productivity that accompany delayed treatments in Canada.

How to Get Started as a Canadian Patient

Traveling across the border for medical care is usually easier than people think. Our team supports Canadian patients through every step of the journey.

Some steps that are usually involved in a private hip replacement at the Joint Replacement Center in Scottsdale are:

1. Initial contact – You can effortlessly reach out to us by phone or through our online contact form.
2. Virtual consultation – From the comfort of your home and without long delays, you can meet with Dr. Martin to discuss your condition and confirm your suitability for surgery.
3. Submit imaging – To minimize the amount of travel required, you can share your existing X-rays or MRIs for review with our team before you visit the United States.
4. Plan your trip – We can offer helpful guidance to help with travel arrangements, accommodations, and local transportation.
5. Surgery and recovery – Once you are in Scottsdale, you can rest easy knowing that you will receive prompt, expert-level care and easy access to in-person attention during the early stages of recovery.
6. Post-op support – Even after you return home to Canada, you can stay in touch with our team as needed to get helpful follow-up support.

Our practice supports Canadian patients through every step of the journey. We are committed to making the process as clear, manageable, and beneficial as possible.

Consider Private Surgery for Faster Recovery

Canadians with hip complications don’t have to be at the whim of their public healthcare system. Private hip replacement surgery can save Canadians from waiting around in pain. Consider taking a quick trip to the beautiful, medically advanced city of Scottsdale, Arizona, for a faster, more personalized path to relief. 

Whether you’ve been stuck on a surgical waitlist, need second opinions on your pre-existing treatment plan, or are just beginning to explore your options for addressing hip pain, the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale provides the expert care and dedicated support needed to move forward with confidence. Our team is here to guide you to a healthier, happier life. Thanks to our speed and efficiency, Canadians no longer have to settle for hip pain and surgery delays fueled by their public healthcare system.

Canadians can schedule an initial consultation with our team to skip the wait and get their hip replacement sooner.