Private Hip Surgery

[58thecat]

I waited 14 months to get my hip replaced...covid was the culprit that added another’s 6 months into the wait....I remained active as I could....strength and conditioning etc and kept positive....the system...the people all involved in my journey were awesome....could have been a lot worse.

The OP just wanted to know where or experiences paying for a surgery...would be no different then the option of being put on a list other then the wait and a poop load of cash out of pocket.

Good luck.

[densa44]

The quality of a county's health system (the general case) cannot be used to predict the specific case (this one) so I'll just remind everyone about the US system of which they may be unaware.

It is run for profit and they are very good at it.

Plan for this, I hope that it doesn't happen but have a plan if it does.

You go to the USA for a hip replacement as elective surgery; something goes wrong and yo are rushed to a near by hospital and a team works on you. You have to stay in the hospital until you recover enough for a trip back to Alberta.

If the taxpayers of Alberta will cover you with your Canadian health care, all is well. On the other hand if the won't, you may have bill in the 100's of thousands of US dollars to pay before you leave.

Google this outcome and decide for yourself. You will find that some people without insurance (you) have lost their house.

The suggestion that others have made and I support is to push our own system and get it to work. Sometimes it does. Good luck to you.

[cody j]

Was curious if anyone on here has had any personal experience having a hip replacement done in the states or know someone who has? A family member needs one and is currently in a lot of pain and was told to expect a 2 + year wait. I’m just wanting to do some research on what other options are out there.

[MountainTi]

Originally Posted by cody j

Was curious if anyone on here has had any personal experience having a hip replacement done in the states or know someone who has? A family member needs one and is currently in a lot of pain and was told to expect a 2 + year wait. I’m just wanting to do some research on what other options are out there.

I do know someone who went to Toronto and had it done. Paid out of pocket

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by pittman

Access to joint replacement is a fairly complicated question.

Generally, a new joint is not as good as what you had. There are risks, complications, and they don't last forever.

If you're a financially motivated centre, then you'll plunk in a new hip into any person who agrees to the risks/benefits. Why care about the subsequent need for a revision or risks? The patient is paying.

In a publicly funded system the aim is to provide the new joint to the person when and only when the new joint is a better option than the old one while keeping in mind that replacing it too soon will inevitably result in the patient needing a revision down the road (which is a way bigger deal). The health system does indeed take into account loss of productivity.

Perhaps the system here also wants individuals to attempt some conservative management (weight loss, physio) before embarking on a joint replacement?

I've met people who've had joints replaced too soon and were not satisfied with the new part. I've met other people who have felt like they waited too long. Finally, a friend of mine was getting cued up for a knee replacement, but in the interim he lost a few pounds and no longer wants to have the surgery.

It's not perfect, but generally you want to wear that joint out completely before signing up for a new part and surgery.

The specialist won't do my hip because there is a sliver (his word) of material between the two bones. So I have to wait till I am bone on bone, then wait months and months to get in to see the surgeon again, and then wait years to get a replacement. In the mean time I risk addiction to opioids, and cannot enjoy my life at all. Yes awesome health care!! It is a joke.

Add: I see a Dr. from SA for another issue, he is shocked as to how opioids are used here instead of getting in for surgery. He told me in SA you only get them if you are a terminal patient in a lot of pain. I asked him what they do for cases like mine, he said they operate before it gets to that stage.

[cody j]

My mother in law just got the process started of getting in the line, she already has a flat spot on the top of the ball in her hip from bone on bone contact

[skidderman]

I have heard & understand don't know it's true that if you are willing to pay an Albertan can get it done in BC and vise versa. I did not fact check it so do your own research.

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by CanadianPsycho

We have some top knotch surgeons here. However, i would recommend if you have the means go south of the border. The system up here prioritizes elderly and trauma patients, even adults who could see a huge improvement in quality of life get bumped for years until it causes other issues. Its a mess and has its priorities mixed sadly

I can see that. My dad had his replaced this spring but he couldn’t walk for around 8 months before because he wasn’t a priority for them. Was pretty much in a wheel chair by the end. Not much for quality of life if your a fairly active person and confined to not moving for 2/3rds of a year!

[brslk]

Originally Posted by Twisted Canuck

I'm in line for hernia surgery, again. Took a month and a half for all the imaging and diagnostic work, and then the surgeon told me I am at least a year out for the surgery. By then, the new hospital here in GP may even be operational. They have only been building it for a decade or so.

Same. I waited a year and was then told about a week before my scheduled surgery that it had been bumped indefinitely. They'll "let me know" when it's gonna happen

[kujoseto]

I haven’t read the whole thread, but I’ll throw this in as an option:
I’ve spoken to someone who is active with dancing in their later years and they went to Germany to get their hip surgery done. They were back to dancing in very short order. I think at the time it was something like $7000-8000 to go there and get it done. Something about the way they do it differently made the world of difference. I could probably dig up more info and contact info if you send me a message with interest. It’ll take some digging into an old notebook at the office

[gordfishing]

My experience going to Clearpoint in Toronto and having hip replacement surgery could not have gone any better.
Surgery May 5, one pain pill only an hour after the operation, golfing three months later, my quality of life is 1000% better. Yes there is a cost , but if you own your own business you can claim as a business expense [ there is a 5% premium that your business pays for ], if not the costs are taxable benefits .
Cost $28,000 CND

that's my experience

[FXSB]

A person I know was on a long waiting list for a knee replacement. They moved to the Yukon due to the husband's work. When she went to the doctor he asked her when she wanted to have it done. Apparently both Alberta and BC keep some beds for Northern residents.