Private ACL Surgery Cost in Canada: What to Expect

Why Canadians Look for Private ACL Surgery

Knee instability affects more than sport. Walking, stairs, work, driving, and confidence . For athletes and active adults, delays can mean a lost season, missed milestones, losing out on career opportunities. For older adults, prolonged instability raises the risk of falls, loss of independence, and possibly delaying retirement.

• Mobility loss and lifestyle disruption: ACL injuries don’t just hurt; they change how you move and live. Everyday activities become uncertain and exhausting.
• Economic impact: Especially for non-desk jobs, ACL injuries mean time away from work or even losing the ability to work.
• Emotional toll: Uncertainty can affect sleep, planning, and mental health.

For a comprehensive overview of ACL surgery, click here.

How long is the wait for ACL surgery in Canada?

Public wait times vary by province and region, and they can be lengthy for non-emergency procedures.

In British Columbia, average wait times are between 9 to 44 weeks, depending on the hospital you can get in to, and the perceived urgency of your condition.

In Alberta, average wait times are between 5 weeks and 73 weeks.

In Ontario, average wait times can be between 5 to 30 weeks.

Some things to consider:

• Provincially published wait times change over time.
• The numbers above are averages, which means 50% of people wait longer.
• The averages listed for Alberta and Ontario represent all knee surgeries.

Prolonged waits may also contribute to secondary issues such as meniscal damage or deconditioning. Many patients and families describe the wait as the hardest part—weeks turn into months without clarity on “when.”

How much does private ACL surgery cost in Canada?

ACL reconstruction surgery is a major surgery with significant costs. Private clinics in Canada typically charge $8,000 to $18,000.

Costs vary so much because of location, surgeon experience, facility type, complexity, and included services (some clinics offer all-inclusive, while others charge separately for anesthesia, followup care, etc.).

What’s usually included in the cost:

• Surgeon’s professional fee
• Accredited facility fee and nursing care
• Anesthesia/anesthesiologist fee
• Standard post-operative follow-up appointments
• Basic surgical supplies and graft (autograft or allograft policies vary by provider)

What may be additional:

• Pre-operative imaging (MRI/updated imaging if needed)
• Custom bracing
• Physiotherapy packages and sports rehab
• Additional consults or second opinions

How costs compare to the U.S. or abroad:

The average cost for ACL reconstruction in the United States is CA$48,000.

The United States often lists higher cash prices for ACL reconstruction due to facility and physician fee structures.

International options may advertise lower totals, but travel, lodging, and follow-up logistics add complexity. Many Canadians prefer the safety and continuity of care within Canada’s accredited private clinics.

Factors That Influence the Cost

• Type of surgery and graft choice:
  • Hamstring autograft vs. patellar tendon (BTB) autograft vs. donor (allograft) can affect OR time, supplies, and rehab considerations.
• Surgeon’s experience and credentials:
  • Board-certified orthopedic surgeons with subspecialty training in sports medicine and strong knee volumes may command higher fees.
• Facility location:
  • Major urban centres and certain provinces may have higher overhead, affecting facility fees.
• Care package design:
  • Some clinics offer bundled prehab/rehab, bracing, and follow-up; others itemize so you pay only for what you need.
• Complexity:
  • Concomitant procedures (e.g., meniscal repair) or revision ACL reconstruction typically increase cost.

Can I Get Surgery Covered by Insurance?

Public plans (e.g., OHIP, MSP, AHCIP) do not cover private ACL surgery in Canada. Private procedures are out-of-pocket.

Extended health benefits: Some employer or personal plans may cover components such as physiotherapy, bracing, or limited surgical services. Coverage varies by plan—check with your insurer.

Workers’ compensation: In work-related injuries, provincial workers’ compensation programs sometimes cover private assessments or surgery, depending on case details and jurisdiction. Confirm with your case manager.

Financing: Many clinics provide financing options or work with third-party providers.

Medical Expense Tax Credit: You may be able to reduce your tax burden by applying the METC to your private ACL surgery. You can read more on METC eligibility here.

For more information on how to pay for private surgery in Canada, click here.

Legal and Regulatory Considerations

Private surgery has always been legal within Canada, but regulations vary by province. Clinics must be licensed and meet regulatory standards for safety and quality. Patients must generally travel out-of-province.

Key Points:

1. No private pay for covered procedures in your home province
2. You can pay privately for uninsured procedures
3. Emergency care is covered across provinces
4. Elective, out-of-province surgery must be paid privately

Learn more about the regulatory considerations for private surgery in Canada here.

Weighing the Benefits Beyond Cost

Faster access can protect joint health: Quicker stabilization may help reduce ongoing meniscal or cartilage stress associated with recurrent instability.

Quality of care and surgeon expertise: Patients can compare training, volumes, and practice focus, then choose the right fit.

Mental health and life planning: Knowing your likely surgery date allows you to plan work, travel, caregiving, and rehab with confidence.

Return to activity: For workers, parents, and athletes, earlier repair can mean getting back to meaningful activities sooner.

How to Explore Your Options with Surgency

Surgency is a physician-founded platform that helps Canadians discover private surgical options with transparency and confidence.

What you can do on Surgency:

• Browse vetted, accredited providers across Canada
• Compare costs, locations, and surgeon credentials
• Book a consultation to discuss your case

Step-by-step:

1. Go to the Surgency app
2. Set your location preferences based on city
3. Review surgeon profiles—training, years in practice, areas of focus
4. Book a consult

Conclusion

Wait times for ACL surgery can be long, and living with knee instability affects more than sport—it impacts work, family life, and mental well-being. Private ACL surgery in Canada is a faster option that some patients choose to regain stability sooner.

If you’re ready to explore private healthcare options, Surgency makes it simpler to see your options, understand the fees, and book a consult with accredited providers.

Compare private ACL surgery providers on Surgency.