Unfortunately, about 14.3% of individuals aged 60 years and older report having significant hip pain on most days. This chronic hip pain can affect nearly every aspect of life.
For many Canadians, the decision to undergo joint replacement surgery comes with a frustrating obstacle: wait times that can stretch months or even years. The Canadian Institute for Health Information reported that nearly 40% of patients awaiting knee replacement in 2024 did not receive one within the recommended 182-day benchmark.
Typically, patients with an upcoming joint replacement spend most of their time thinking about the surgery component, mistakenly believing it is the only part that matters.
The choice to go into surgery is often life-changing. Since many procedures can affect mobility, independence, and a patient’s overall health for years to come, getting a second opinion before surgery can help you ensure you are making the best decision.
Joint conditions are some of the most common sources of chronic pain and limited mobility. In fact, about 58.5 million US adults have arthritis, and 25.7 million of those individuals claim that arthritis limits their ability to perform certain activities.
The first recorded attempt at hip replacement surgery was in 1891; however, this type of surgery was not deemed entirely effective until 1962. Moreover, even the successful total hip arthroplasties from the mid-1900s yielded relatively low implant survival rates after 10 years.
For many patients, the first 24 to 72 hours after a surgery can be the most challenging part of the healing process. Pain may be the most prominent during this time, since the body is working hard to repair tissues, control inflammation, and restore function.
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.
Dr. Shane Martin
