Joint Replacement Wait Times in Canada: What to Expect

Executive Summary

• In the early 2020s, the average wait time for joint replacement surgeries in Canada drastically increased, hindering patient mobility and quality of life.
• To avoid staffing- or insurance-related wait times in their country, many Canadians travel to places like Scottsdale, Arizona, for medical tourism and timely care.
• In Scottsdale, travelers have access to renowned joint specialists, cutting-edge surgical technology, and comprehensive post-operative care while they enjoy the world-class accommodations and activities.
• Before traveling to Arizona for their knee or hip surgery, patients should plan their trip by scheduling consultations, arranging travel and accommodations, and ensuring access to post-operative care, like follow-ups and rehabilitation.

Waiting for Joint Replacement Surgery

Canada’s average wait time for joint replacement has grown significantly over the last handful of years, raising concern for many Canadians suffering from debilitating knee or hip pain. Due to a variety of complications, ranging from high patient demand and limited surgical resources to insurance-related delays, many Canadians wait longer than recommended for essential joint-related procedures.

With increasing wait times for hip or knee replacement surgery in Canada, many people have turned to medical tourism as a practical solution. Some U.S. cities like Scottsdale, Arizona, are well-renowned for their joint replacement surgery expertise, and they have the necessary resources to meet out-of-state demand on top of their local appointments. 

Therefore, anyone who has been put on a long wait list for hip or knee surgery in Canada should consider traveling to Scottsdale, Arizona, to receive expert care without prolonged delays. The guide below helps Canadians set realistic expectations for medical tourism to destinations like Scottsdale.

Current Landscape of Surgery Wait Times in Canada

The COVID-19 pandemic left lasting impacts on the Canadian healthcare system. The Canadian Institute for Health Information reported that from October 2020 to September 2021, only 62% of Canadian patients were able to receive joint replacement surgery within the advised 182-day period, which is a substantial decline from the 71% that were able to be treated within this timeframe before the pandemic. 

Unfortunately, average wait times for joint replacements in Canada remained extended, whereas the wait times for some other surgery types, including cataract-related procedures, returned to pre-pandemic levels in most provinces. Some Canadians are still subjected to wait times exceeding six months, with some regions experiencing delays of over a year, exposing them to the various dangers of delaying surgery, such as progressive joint deterioration that can hinder mobility and increase pain.

These dangerous delays can be fueled by a myriad of issues, including a lack of medical staff and advanced technology or insurance-related hurdles. In many cases, Canadians have to wait a significant amount of time for their national insurance to kick in for joint replacement surgeries, while other countries like the United States may be able to offer the surgery in a quicker and more affordable way.

Medical Tourism as a Viable Solution

Medical tourism involves traveling outside of one’s home country with the primary goal of receiving medical care, typically at high-quality facilities with scheduling, pricing, or services that are preferred to those from the individual’s home country. Within the last decade, Canadians have been turning to medical tourism by traveling to the United States for timely and effective treatment options.

Some examples of benefits you may experience from opting for medical tourism for joint replacement include:

• Reduced wait times – Due to the increased efficiency of many joint-focused medical centers in the United States, you may be able to schedule your surgery months sooner than you would in Canada.
• Knowledgeable specialists – In the United States, joint specialists must undergo extensive education and training before practicing surgery, giving you many skilled surgeons and advanced medical facilities to choose from.
• Innovative technology – Some facilities like the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale have access to cutting-edge robotic technology that ensures knee and hip surgeries are minimally invasive.

In addition to the benefits above, medical tourism can be a great way to get personalized treatment plans with comprehensive support before, during, and after your joint replacement surgery.

Why Choose Scottsdale for Your Joint Replacement Surgery?

Over the years, Scottsdale, Arizona, has become one of the most sought after destinations for Canadians seeking joint replacement procedures due to its world-class medical facilities, expert-level surgeons, and superb recovery environment.

Access to Renowned Orthopedic Specialists

People who choose to travel to Scottsdale for joint replacement surgeries can get access to leading orthopedic surgeons. For instance, the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale’s very own Dr. Shane Martin is a board-certified robotic-assisted joint replacement expert known for his compassionate care and dependable surgical outcomes. He has helped develop joint replacement protocols that allow most patients to go home within hours after their surgery. Plus, he has trained other surgeons from around the world, teaching them how to use modern robotic equipment to improve surgical outcomes.

With people like Dr. Shane Martin and his team of joint specialists ready to help you, it can be easy to get an appointment in Scottsdale when you need to see an orthopedic surgeon without long waits that can further jeopardize your health.

State-of-the-Art Medical Facilities

Scottsdale is home to cutting-edge surgical centers that utilize robotic-assisted technology to ensure each total hip, total knee, and partial knee replacement is as minimally invasive as possible. This first-class technology can help people suffering from joint pain due to arthritis or degeneration get back to the activities they love sooner.

For example, the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale uses Mako SmartRobotics, an advanced type of robotic-assisted surgical technology that can improve precision and accuracy in joint replacement procedures. By integrating AccuStop haptic technology, 3D CT-based imaging, and data analytics, Mako SmartRobotics helps surgeons create personalized plans that are customized to each patient’s unique anatomy. During surgery, the Mako SmartRobotics robotic arm helps precisely place the implant, potentially leading to benefits such as smaller incisions, less pain, quicker recovery times, and an increased range of motion. 

We also use ​the CORI Surgical System, a sophisticated handheld robotic platform that offers image-free smart mapping, patient-specific planning, and robotic-assisted bone preparation, ultimately enhancing precision in various orthopedic surgeries and enhancing recovery times and outcomes. In addition to this beneficial technology, these state-of-the-art medical facilities also provide personalized post-surgical care plans tailored to individual needs to further streamline healing.

Comprehensive Patient-Centered Care

In Scottsdale, patients can expect to receive a holistic approach to joint replacement with clarity and guidance through all aspects of their experience. Some examples of patient-centered care offered by medical providers like the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale include:

• Personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs
• Dedicated patient coordinators to help with scheduling and logistics
• Pre-surgery virtual consultations to help you prepare for the procedure
• Transparent pricing without hidden costs
• Robust post-operative support with virtual follow-ups and pain management strategies

Thanks to our virtual communication options, we will always be easy to reach even when you are back in Canada, ensuring that you will have consistent access to our knowledgeable, compassionate team.

World-Class Accommodations & Activities

Aside from the surgery-specific benefits, patients recovering in Scottsdale can enjoy the beautiful city and its premium offerings. Check out luxury resorts, indulge in spa treatments, and enjoy warm weather after your surgery to foster a comfortable healing environment that promotes relaxation. Whether you are interested in the beautiful desert landscapes, top-rated restaurants, or world-class golf courses, you can be sure Scottsdale has something for you and any other medical tourist.

Planning for Medical Tourism in Scottsdale

Although the talented medical practices in Scottsdale make the process as easy as possible, proper planning is essential to ensure a smooth experience for Canadians interested in medical tourism. Canadians should implement the following strategies to get ready for their joint replacement surgery in Scottsdale.

Pre-Travel Arrangements

Start by scheduling an initial consultation with a surgeon you trust. After discussing what is needed for your specific treatment, you should focus on obtaining the necessary medical records and imaging scans. Once everything about the surgery itself is solidified, it is time to coordinate travel logistics. Book flights and local transportation to make getting around easy.

Accommodations

Thanks to Scottsdale’s expansive selection of lodging, patients can choose from high-end resorts, extended-stay hotels, or rental properties while they are healing from their joint replacement surgery. The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa and Fairmont Scottsdale Princess are popular choices for many medical tourists due to their high-end nature. If you are looking for additional assistance during the early stages of your recovery, ask if your prospective accommodation provides medical concierge services to help with your post-surgical needs.

Post-Operative Care

During your stay in Scottsdale, you should expect to make follow-up visits with the surgical team to monitor your progress. Thanks to the robust medical offerings in Scottsdale, you will also be able to access top-quality physical therapy services that can promote a safe and effective rehabilitation process. Once you return to Canada, you can take advantage of our virtual appointment opportunities for continued care.

Testimonials and Success Stories

Many Canadian patients who have chosen Scottsdale for their joint replacement surgery have reported many long-term benefits of surgery, including mitigated pain, enhanced mobility, and an expedited recovery. 

For example, one of the medical tourists who used the Joint Replacement Center in Scottsdale, Frank from Edmonton in Alberta, Canada, was able to walk without noticeable hip pain within two and a half hours after his surgery. He called the experience “fantastic” and ranked our work an “11 out of 10.” 

In addition to Frank, our team regularly gets feedback stating how “America welcomed and prepped [them] for surgery” and “was kind and attentive, ensuring [they] felt comfortable every step of the way.” 

Avoid Long Surgery Wait Times

The average wait time for knee and hip surgery in Canada can last longer than six months for many patients due to challenges like overwhelming demand and complex insurance hurdles. Thankfully, medical tourism can help patients avoid the excessive wait times for hip or knee replacement in Canada. By traveling to a place like Scottsdale, Arizona, Canadians can get access to top-of-the-line joint specialists and get the surgery they need without unreasonable delays.

The medical professionals at the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale are committed to taking care of our patients promptly, regardless of where they are coming from. Our medical center is focused on accuracy and efficiency to streamline knee and hip replacement surgeries and help both local and out-of-town patients get back to the activities they love as soon as possible. If you have already been seen by a doctor in Canada, we offer second opinions related to knee and hip pain to ensure your treatment plan is as effective as possible.

Schedule an initial consultation with the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale to get the care you need without excessive delays.