Executive Summary
- Recently, many Canadians have been facing extended wait times for joint replacement surgeries, negatively impacting their quality of life.
- Medical tourism can provide a solution to Canadian joint replacement wait times by providing faster access to expert orthopedic care abroad.
- Scottsdale, Arizona, is an appealing destination for Canadians due to its proximity, high-quality healthcare options, and recovery-friendly environment.
- The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale offers expedited access to world-class, personalized care, helping Canadian patients seek relief from chronic hip and knee pain.
The Plight of Canadian Patients Waiting for Joint Surgery
Joint pain shouldn’t mean putting life on hold. However, that’s the reality for many Canadians. Due to the current landscape of Canada’s public healthcare system, surgical waitlists for joint replacement surgeries can stretch from several months to years. In addition to prolonging pain and immobility, these delays can worsen the underlying condition.
Thankfully, medical tourism offers a practical alternative for Canadians seeking timely and dependable orthopedic care. If you are frustrated by healthcare delays outside of the United States, consider traveling to places like Scottsdale, Arizona, for faster access to hip and knee replacement surgery. After a short plane ride, Canadians can get expert care from skilled joint specialists with access to top-of-the-line technology.
This guide explores why so many Canadians have been turning to medical tourism. Read through the considerations below to learn what makes Scottsdale a top choice for medical tourists and to tailor your expectations for your prospective trip.
The Reality of Wait Times for Joint Replacement in Canada
According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, the median wait time for hip replacement surgery in Canada is approximately 26 weeks. However, some provinces report delays exceeding 12 months. Unfortunately, knee replacements often take just as long, or longer.
These extended delays can negatively impact the patient’s quality of life. Some examples of issues Canadian patients report due to extended wait times for joint surgery are:
- Increased pain
- Restricted mobility
- Newfound dependencies on pain medications
- Heightened emotional stress
- Worsening of joint degeneration
With so much on the line, it is easy to see why frustration grows when individuals are told they must endure a long wait for their joint replacement surgery. As a result, some seek out-of-country solutions.
Medical Tourism as a Solution for Delayed Surgery
Medical tourism is the practice of traveling to another country for quicker, cheaper, or more accessible medical care. Recently, this practice has gained popularity, particularly among Canadians who face delayed or unavailable treatments in their home country.
Some benefits medical tourism can offer joint replacement patients include:
- Drastically reduced wait times
- Access to experienced joint specialists
- Advanced surgical options with cutting-edge technology
- Improved outcomes that yield high satisfaction rates
The main appeal lies in restoring mobility and physical independence sooner. However, the added benefit of being able to choose the surgeon, schedule, and setting is attractive to many patients.
Canadians who opt for medical tourism in the United States typically pay out of pocket, which differs from Canada’s publicly funded healthcare options. However, the speed, effectiveness, and affordability of joint replacement in the U.S. make it a worthwhile investment. Sometimes, private insurance coverage offers financial support for international medical services.
Why Scottsdale Is an Ideal Destination for Joint Replacement Surgery
Scottsdale, Arizona, has established itself as a hub for orthopedic medical tourism by combining top-tier healthcare with a fun, welcoming environment that makes the early stages of the healing process enjoyable.
Some reasons people choose Scottsdale for medical tourism include:
- Easy travel from Canada – Major Canadian cities, such as Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto, frequently have direct flights to Phoenix, Arizona, making Scottsdale highly accessible.
- No language barrier – Traveling to the United States gives Canadians access to English-speaking staff, a familiar culture, and North American medical standards that make them feel right at home.
- Ideal recovery climate – Scottsdale’s warm, sunny weather fosters a comfortable recovery environment that encourages outdoor mobility.
- Abundant amenities – Scottsdale is home to world-class resorts and offers a variety of delicious, healthy dining options. Plus, there is an abundance of pharmacies and physical therapy clinics.
Many medical tourism patients say that surgery in Scottsdale adheres to the highest medical standards, while recovery in this southwestern city feels like a retreat.
Why Choose The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale?
The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale stands out amongst other medical tourism options due to its team’s expertise, efficiency, and compassionate care. Our center has been treating international patients, including many Canadians, since 2006. Our team is comprised of seasoned joint specialists, including Dr. Shane Martin, a nationally recognized orthopedic surgeon with extensive experience using robotic technology to perform minimally invasive joint replacements.
Some things that set the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale apart from other surgery centers include:
- Advanced procedures – Our team performs robotic-assisted surgeries, including anterior hip replacement and total or partial knee replacement, which offer enhanced precision.
- Shorter wait times – Most out-of-country patients can see a surgeon within 4 weeks, which is generally much quicker than the wait times for joint replacement in Canada.
- Personalized care – Each of our patients receives an individualized treatment and recovery plan tailored to their specific health goals.
- Transparent pricing – We provide all our patients with a full cost breakdown before they commit to their treatment plan, eliminating surprise bills.
The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale takes pride in offering first-class medical treatment and guidance throughout recovery, ensuring patients feel at ease every step of the way.
Our team of board-certified surgeons and compassionate professionals will create a personalized treatment plan to help you manage joint pain and get back to your daily routine. Overcome Joint Pain with JRCS
What to Expect: The Patient Experience
Canadian patients considering surgery in Scottsdale can expect a straightforward experience if they choose reliable medical providers, such as those at the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale. Although each situation is unique, our Canadian patients can expect the following five steps if they choose our center for their surgery.
1. Virtual Consultation
You will meet with Dr. Martin and his team online from the comfort of your own home. During this virtual consultation, you and our joint specialists will review your medical history and assess your surgical needs.
2. Pre-Surgical Evaluation
Next, our team will guide you through completing the necessary lab work, imaging, and medical clearance requirements, some of which can be done in Canada before travel.
3. Travel and Surgery
Our team can provide you with helpful guidance and suggestions to facilitate the coordination of travel, lodging, and surgical logistics. For most medical tourists, surgery typically occurs within days of arrival.
4. Post-Op Recovery in Scottsdale
The initial recovery stage typically occurs under our medical supervision while Canadians are still in Scottsdale. If desired, patients can stay longer to take full advantage of Scottsdale’s easy access to physical therapy services.
5. Return to Canada
Most patients can safely and confidently travel home within one to two weeks post-op. Nevertheless, our team will remain available for all of your medical needs—we can do follow-up appointments via phone or video.
Planning a medical trip to Arizona may sound overwhelming at first, but you can rest easy knowing that the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale makes the travel process as smooth and stress-free as possible for Canadian patients.
Skip the Line for Faster Surgery Access
Delayed access to joint replacement surgery doesn’t have to hold you back—Canadians can get back to many of the activities they love much sooner by opting for medical tourism. Take control of your health by traveling to Scottsdale, Arizona, and getting hip or knee surgery from the trusted providers at the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale.
With access to advanced technology, such as Mako SmartRobotics™, and a compassionate, knowledgeable team, our surgeons can deliver world-class care. So, if you’re tired of living with joint pain and are facing long wait times in your home country, check out our viable options for surgery abroad. We can deliver faster scheduling than most Canadian joint replacement centers, and we offer a patient-first approach that makes it possible for you to get back on your feet sooner.
Canadians should schedule an initial consultation with our team to explore hip or knee replacement options in Scottsdale.
