Post-Op Care Abroad: What Canadians Should Know

Key Takeaways

• Strategic, provider-guided post-op care is the best way to ensure a smooth post-surgery recovery, especially when you have to travel home after a procedure abroad.
• Before discharge, Canadians should be familiar with their surgeon’s travel criteria, secure pain medications, and understand how to care for their wound properly.
• Coordinating follow-up care, whether it is through remote consultations or a separate clinic in Canada, can help ensure a stress-free recovery and reduce the risk of complications.
• Most Canadians have to pay out of pocket for medical care abroad, making it essential to budget for secondary expenses, such as rehab or mobility aids required during the healing process.

Why Post-Op Planning Matters When Traveling Abroad

Many Canadians travel abroad for joint replacement surgery, often heading to places like the United States. In turn, these patients can circumvent Canada’s joint replacement wait times and get quicker access to highly specialized orthopedic care. 

Nevertheless, traveling abroad for surgery means that you will have to focus on additional (but manageable) logistics for your recovery journey. Instead of recovering just a short drive from your care team, you’ll likely be getting on a plane, going through customs, and either attending follow-up appointments digitally or transitioning your care to a new set of medical providers back home. 

The actions taken during the weeks following the procedure are crucial for ensuring satisfactory long-term results. If you are a Canadian contemplating medical tourism, read through the following post-op considerations to help with healing safely, staying comfortable, and avoiding unnecessary setbacks.

Immediate Recovery Period

The first few days after your joint replacement surgery are vital for setting the tone of your entire recovery. This is the phase when your mobility, pain management, and wound care routines are established, so it’s essential to leave your surgery destination fully prepared. Post-op care planning is not just a step, but a cornerstone of your recovery journey.

So Canadians benefit from private knee surgery or hip replacement as much as possible.

Hospital Discharge Timeline

Every surgery has a different recovery curve. Some joint replacement patients are cleared to leave the hospital within a day or two, while others may need a slightly longer stay to monitor swelling, pain levels, and mobility progress.

Before you even board your outbound flight to your surgery destination, ask your surgeon what their discharge criteria are. Do you need to be able to walk a certain distance with assistance? Keep pain under a specific threshold? Achieve a certain range of motion? Understanding these benchmarks will give you realistic expectations for when you’ll be safe to travel.

Pain Management & Medication

Managing pain effectively after surgery is key to keeping you mobile and preventing complications like stiffness. Before leaving your hospital abroad, make sure you:

• Fill all prescribed pain medications locally—waiting until you’re back in Canada may delay relief.
• Carry prescriptions in their original packaging for smooth border crossing and pharmacy refills.
• Keep a written record of medication names, dosages, and schedules to share with your Canadian doctor.

Pain medication regulations can vary between countries, so confirm what you can legally bring back to Canada.

Wound Care Instructions

Your surgical incision needs special attention during the first weeks after a joint replacement. While still at the hospital, have your care team show you how to:

• Clean your incision without irritating it.
• Apply any dressings or coverings correctly.
• Recognize signs of infection such as redness, swelling, or discharge.

Ask your surgeon what to do if you notice a complication after returning to Canada—will they consult with your local doctor via phone or email, or do they have a partner clinic in Canada?

Travel Arrangements for the Return Home

Flying or driving long distances after surgery comes with unique challenges. Planning your trip with recovery in mind will help minimize discomfort, reduce risks, and ensure you arrive home ready to continue healing.

Read through the following considerations to compile relevant travel tips for Canadians having surgery in Arizona or another area abroad.

Mobility Assistance

Depending on the severity of your surgery, getting through airports post-surgery may require extra assistance. Therefore, you may want to arrange for wheelchair service when booking your return flight. This service typically includes help through security, boarding assistance, and quick transfers between gates if you have connections.

Also, bring any mobility aids recommended by your surgeon—such as crutches, a cane, or a walker—and keep them with you in the cabin rather than checking them in your luggage.

Comfort & Safety During Travel

Long flights or car rides after surgery require a bit of planning. When considering what to pack for your U.S. joint replacement surgery, some things you should consider doing are:

• Wearing loose, soft clothing that won’t put pressure on your incision
• Using compression socks if your surgeon recommends them to reduce the risk of blood clots
• Bringing ice packs or a seat cushion for pain relief during the journey

The key is to keep your body supported and comfortable while also protecting your surgical site.

Avoiding Post-Travel Complications

Extended travel has the potential to increase your risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), especially if you received lower limb surgery. Some actions you can perform to combat this risk are:

• Periodically flexing and extending your ankles throughout your flight
• Standing up for short walks  down aisleways if possible
• Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water

Even small movements can help maintain healthy blood flow during long stretches of sitting.

Coordinating Follow-Up Care in Canada

Patients should be ready to facilitate the transition of their surgical team from abroad to Canadian healthcare providers. Coordinating follow-up care in Canada is not just a formality; it is imperative to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of care once you’re back in your home country.

It is essential to choose a U.S. Joint Replacement Surgeon who prioritizes follow-up care even after you return to your home country.

Primary Care Provider Notification

Your post-op care doesn’t stop when you cross the border. Before you even leave following surgery, let your primary care provider in Canada know about your plans. When you return, some things you should bring to your Canadian medical provider are:

• Surgical records and discharge notes
• A detailed list of your medications
• Any specific care instructions from your surgeon abroad

This ensures you have a point of continuity and a local medical contact in case of an emergency.

Physiotherapy or Rehab Planning

Successful joint replacement outcomes depend heavily on post-op rehab. Ask your surgeon abroad for a personalized physiotherapy plan and any progress milestones. Then, book local physiotherapy appointments before you even leave Canada, so you can resume rehab within days of returning.

A lapse in therapy—even just a couple of weeks—can slow progress and make regaining strength more difficult.

Ongoing Monitoring & Imaging

In some cases, your surgeon may recommend follow-up X-rays or additional check-ins to ensure proper healing. Discuss whether these can be handled by your Canadian care team and how the results will be shared.

Keep copies of all operative notes, implant details, and imaging so your Canadian doctor has complete visibility into your surgical history.

Managing Insurance & Costs

Many patients know they have to prepare their bodies, but they should also prepare their finances when it comes to recovering abroad. Understanding your coverage and setting aside a budget for uncovered costs will help avoid stressful surprises.

Travel Insurance Review

Before traveling abroad for surgery, review your travel medical insurance thoroughly. Some elements you should confirm your insurance covers are:

• Post-op complications that occur abroad or after returning home.
• Emergency medical evacuation if needed.
• Extended hospital stays.

Knowing your coverage in advance can help you prevent costly surprises, giving you peace of mind that you are financially protected.

Unexpected Costs to Budget For

Even though many surgery packages include hospital care, anesthesia, and the procedure itself, there are other costs patients should budget for, such as:

• Follow-up visits with Canadian specialists.
• Out-of-pocket physiotherapy sessions are not fully covered by provincial health insurance.
• Mobility aids such as walkers or shower benches.
• Prescription refills that may not be covered.

Well-prepared budgets ensure you can access the care you need without financial stress.

Why Choose a Destination Like Scottsdale, AZ

If you’re considering the U.S. for surgery, Scottsdale, Arizona, can meet your medical tourism needs by offering world-class care. Plus, the environment supports recovery—the warm, dry climate can be easier on healing joints compared to cold or damp weather. Scottsdale is also a short flight from major Canadian cities, making travel manageable even post-surgery.

Beyond location, Scottsdale is home to highly regarded orthopedic centers that make it so Canadians can access surgery sooner, virtually skipping the line of their country’s public healthcare system. Many facilities also cater to Canadian patients by offering package deals and team members who can help international patients through surgical and post-op processes.

Prepare for a Safe Recovery Journey

Even though the surgery itself might be the main thing on their mind during their medical tourism trip, Canadians should remember that the recovery process continues well after they leave the hospital doors in the United States or wherever they received their surgery.

To plan ahead, secure the proper medications, arrange for comfortable travel, and coordinate your follow-up care in Canada—performing actions like these can offer you the best chance for a smooth, complication-free recovery.

In addition to top-of-the-line, robotic-assisted hip replacements and knee surgeries, The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale offers personalized recovery support for every patient, including international patients from countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom. From the moment you book until you’re back home and healing, our team will be ready to guide you through each step of the process.

Schedule an initial consultation with the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale today to make your way toward a happy and healthy recovery.