For individuals considering private orthopaedic surgery, it’s essential to educate yourself before making a final decision to proceed with surgery or not.
Apart from the surgery itself, it’s important to understand;
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- the financial commitment,
- your insurance options,
- the reputation of private facilities and staff,
- understanding your post-operative care and timelines.
Research Private Clinics and Surgeons
It can be overwhelming to know where to start in researching private surgery. To help you, we’ve provided you with an email template that asks some of the important questions. We invite you to copy and send this email to any private clinic you’d like. We are confident that every clinic will do there best to reply to you and help you.
1. Copy the email letter below.
2. Paste the letter into an new email from your computer with the subject heading: “Inquiry into Private Surgery”
3.Send the email to any private clinic offering private surgery in Canada.
Don’t be shy in asking additional questions. Private Clinics receive email enquires and telephone calls like this everyday. It’s their business to take care of you (as a potential customer) and answer all your questions.
Email Subject: Inquiry Regarding Private Orthopedic Surgery Options
Dear [Clinic Name or Administrator],
I hope this message finds you well.
I’m exploring options for private orthopedic surgery and would like more information about your clinic’s services. Specifically, I’m interested in:
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Availability and wait times for consultation and surgery
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The name of the surgeon(s) who would be performing the procedure I’m requesting.
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A detailed breakdown of the cost (and what is included)
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Whether post-operative care or physiotherapy is provided or recommended
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Accreditation and safety standards followed by your facility
The procedure I am considering is [insert your specific procedure if known — e.g., total knee replacement, rotator cuff repair, etc.].
Could you please send me information on your process, availability, and any intake requirements? I’d also appreciate any downloadable brochures or documentation if available.
Thank you in advance for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Warm regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Info — optional: phone number]
[Your City/Province]
✅ Clinic Comparison Checklist
When you receive information from each clinic. Use the following chart to compare each clinic to guide your decision on whether or not to undergo surgery – and, if so at what clinic.
Use this to evaluate private clinics side by side:
| Factor | Clinic A | Clinic B | Clinic C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surgeon qualifications | ✔ MD, FRCSC | ||
| Specialization (hip, knee, etc.) | |||
| Wait time to consult | |||
| Wait time for surgery | |||
| Cost estimate (all-inclusive?) | |||
| Location (proximity, travel) | |||
| Facility accreditation | ✔ | ||
| Anesthesia and safety protocol | |||
| Post-op care/recovery support | |||
| Physiotherapy included? | |||
| Patient reviews/testimonials | |||
| Refund or cancellation policy |
Clinical Pathway
There are risks when undergoing any kind surgical procedure.
For this reason – surgery is always considered the last treatment option and only considered if the patient has tried and exhausted all non-surgical options with little or no improvement in joint function.
Only after a face-to-face physical examination, can a surgeon (a) determine if you are a candidate for a surgical procedure (your safety) and (b) estimate the probability of a successful outcome (result).
Your Rehab Starts before Surgery
If you plan to undergo private surgery out-of-province or out-of-country, you will be given a post-operative rehab protocol that will outline the exercises you will need to perform daily.
To achieve the best possible result from surgery, patients are strongly encouraged to hire an experienced orthopaedic physiotherapist to supervise the patient face-to-face on how to do the post-operative exercises properly.