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.
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.
Key Questions
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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 costs (what is included and what is not included)
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What kind of post-operative care does the surgeon provide (follow up visits, phone / video calls)
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What level of physiotherapy / rehab care is provided or recommended
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Accreditation and safety standards followed by your facility. Where will the surgery be performed?
- 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.
✅ Clinic Comparison Checklist
When you receive information from each clinic that you speak with or visit. Use the following chart to compare each clinic to guide your decision on whether or not to undergo surgery at a specific clinic.
Use this chart 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).
FYI, 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’ll need to perform daily.
To achieve the best possible result from surgery, patients are strongly encouraged to hire an experienced orthopaedic physiotherapist in their community to help the them learn how to perform post-operative exercises properly.