Executive Summary
- Due to the increasing wait times in their home country and the benefits offered by U.S. surgeons, many Canadians are traveling abroad to access faster and higher-quality hip and knee replacement surgeries.
- In addition to offering shorter wait times, joint replacement centers in the United States can provide more individualized and attentive care due to their more reasonable caseloads.
- Joint specialists in U.S. cities like Scottsdale, Arizona, are equipped with cutting-edge tools that make surgeries minimally invasive, facilitating each patient’s recovery.
- Thanks to readily available staff and virtual communication, it can be easy for Canadian patients to get guidance and care from U.S. joint specialists even when they are in their home country.
Understanding Why Canadians Are Seeking Surgery Beyond Borders
Some people admire Canada for its publicly funded approach to healthcare; however, when it comes to elective surgeries, such as hip and knee surgery, patients often encounter frustrating delays that jeopardize their well-being. Waiting too long to address joint complications can lead to unnecessary pain and further loss of mobility.
To avoid the problems that can arise from long wait times, many Canadians seeking joint surgery choose to travel beyond their country’s borders, particularly to the United States, to receive timely, specialized care from skilled, experienced surgeons. In addition to speed, U.S. joint replacement centers can offer a myriad of benefits that make private medical care ideal for many Canadians.
This guide examines the seven most noteworthy reasons Canadians are steadily opting for U.S. surgeons. It also highlights why Scottsdale specifically is emerging as a leading destination for orthopedic medical tourism.
Top 7 Reasons Canadians Go to the U.S. for Hip and Knee Surgery
Sadly, Canada’s overwhelmed public healthcare system subjects many of its patients suffering from hip or knee pain to an unnecessarily long, life-limiting wait for their joint replacement surgery. Canada’s limited access to joint specialists has resulted in scheduling delays and fragmented follow-up care, which has encouraged many patients to seek solutions beyond their provincial healthcare systems.
Below are seven key reasons Canadians are pursuing private orthopedic care in the United States, including treatments such as knee and hip replacement surgery.
1. Access to Highly Specialized Orthopedic Surgeons
Throughout the United States, many orthopedic surgeons specialize specifically in joint replacement procedures. This unique level of specialization enables many U.S. surgeons to perform more hip and knee surgeries compared to their Canadian counterparts, as Canada’s public hospitals have to distribute their resources more evenly among various departments.
For example, at the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale, Dr. Shane Martin and his team specialize in hip and knee replacement surgery, from comprehensive replacements to revisions aimed at fixing or improving existing prosthetics. Our finely tuned offerings and the overall efficiency of our practice allow us to promptly serve Canadian patients who are faced with longer waits in their home country.
2. Reduced Wait Times and Immediate Scheduling
The Canadian Institute for Health Information reported that many Canadians had to wait more than six months to undergo hip replacement surgery in 2023. In some provinces, patients have to wait over a year just for an initial surgical consultation. During these long waits, joint degeneration can worsen and mobility can decline, further deteriorating the patient’s quality of life.
On the other hand, some facilities in the United States, such as the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale, can connect patients with surgeons in as little as four weeks. If you have already undergone imaging and received a diagnosis in Canada, the timeline from consultation to surgery in the U.S. may be shortened—if needed, our team offers second opinions to ensure your recommended treatment plan is the best path to a healthier, happier life before proceeding.
The earlier you address joint issues, the easier it will be to prevent further joint damage and achieve a more successful outcome, allowing you to return to regular activity sooner.
3. State-of-the-Art Surgical Facilities
The quality and technological capabilities of the surgical facility performing the joint replacement can significantly impact the patient’s experience and the overall outcome. In the United States, many private orthopedic centers, including the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale, are equipped with cutting-edge tools and staff with specialized knowledge, enabling them to handle high-volume, complex procedures.
The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale’s surgeons are trained in the latest robotic-assisted techniques. We utilize Mako SmartRobotics™ and a CORI surgical system to perform minimally invasive joint replacements, thereby enhancing outcomes and accelerating recovery.
Additionally, private centers often report lower rates of hospital-acquired infections, potentially due to the individualized attention they can provide to each patient. This attentiveness and individualized approach also extends to pre- and post-operative care.
4. Comprehensive Pre-Op and Post-Op Care
In Canada, post-operative care may be disjointed due to nationwide limitations in follow-up services and hindered accessibility to physiotherapy. Conversely, the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale provides high-quality care to Canadian patients throughout their entire treatment process, even after they return home.
Our process typically begins with a virtual consultation, followed by detailed pre-operative assessments and planning to ensure the surgery best meets the individual’s physical and scheduling needs. Our team provides guidance on travel and accommodations to ensure a smooth trip to and from Scottsdale.
After surgery, our care team can still offer physical therapy guidance and pain management advice through ongoing communication, regardless of whether the patient is recovering locally or back in Canada. This holistic approach guarantees our patients don’t feel left behind once the procedure is complete.
5. Transparent Pricing and Predictable Costs
One of the most frequently cited concerns for Canadians considering private care in the United States is the cost. Although medical tourism typically requires Canadians to pay out of pocket, the value of regaining mobility sooner, minimizing pain, and avoiding long-term complications, can make the reasonable cost of private U.S. surgery a worthwhile investment.
Plus, choosing a replacement center with transparent and economical pricing, such as the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale, can make this investment even easier and more affordable by eliminating hidden fees. We ensure our patients know exactly what they’re paying for before they commit.
6. A Better Overall Patient Experience
In Canada, many surgeons are overwhelmed by their heavy caseloads, making it challenging to provide patients with the one-on-one care they deserve. Thankfully, the patient experience in a U.S. private facility is widely considered more personalized and efficient. Efficient, specialized orthopedic centers, such as the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale, have more manageable patient volumes, allowing for more one-on-one time with providers and faster response times.
Two other noteworthy aspects that can boost the patient experience are:
- Our staff can offer suggestions on lodging, local transportation, and scheduling to facilitate travel logistics.
- Scottsdale’s warm, dry climate promotes blood flow, making it an ideal environment for healing and rehabilitation, especially when compared to Canada during its cold months.
- Scottsdale gives access to relaxing, joint-safe entertainment options, from live music to engaging museums, that can make the early stages of recovery fun and comfortable.
7. A Clear Path to Relief
Many people agree that one of the most frustrating aspects of Canada’s public healthcare system is the fact that many individuals must undergo multiple referrals, approvals, and assessments before even reaching a surgeon for an elective surgery, such as a joint replacement. Conversely, in the United States, Canadians can consult orthopedic specialists directly.
Getting started with the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale is simple. Some examples of steps that are involved include:
- Contacting us by phone or through an online contact form
- Scheduling a virtual consultation
- Submitting imaging for review
- Receiving a customized treatment plan
- Planning travel and accommodations with help from our supportive team
This streamlined process enables Canadians to take control of their joint health, avoid unnecessary delays, and access expert treatment on a timeline that suits them.
Take the Next Step Toward Better Mobility
Extended wait times for hip and knee surgery in Canada have caused unnecessary discomfort and mobility restrictions. All Canadians with joint complications need to know that waiting in pain doesn’t have to be the only option. By traveling to the United States, Canadians should be able to access expert hip or knee replacement surgery with shorter wait times and higher-quality care.
The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale is proud to support Canadian patients with transparent pricing, advanced surgical techniques, and compassionate care tailored to each patient’s needs. We have been performing hip and knee replacements since 2006. With extensive experience and a streamlined approach, we can help you get back on your feet as soon as possible.
Schedule an initial consultation to learn more about our treatment options. We can help you take the next step toward renewing your mobility and improving your quality of life.
