Why Albertans look for private knee replacements
In the public system, knee replacement is typically covered under Alberta’s provincial plan, but wait times can be substantial. Provincial reporting shows an average wait for knee surgery around 27 weeks, with the 90th percentile taking 72 weeks.
Most people start with the public pathway. They do physiotherapy. They try injections. They adjust their lifestyle. And when the knee still doesn’t let up, they’re referred onward.
The difficult part is not always the decision to have surgery—it’s living with the in-between:
- Months of uncertainty
- Pain that slowly narrows your life
- Planning difficulties (work, caregiving, travel, rehab)
Private care is not the right fit for everyone. But for patients who can’t afford to wait—and want a clearer timeline—private options can offer a more predictable pathway.
Alberta knee replacement wait times (public system)
Wait times in Alberta for knee replacements range from 6 weeks for the top 10th percentile to 72 weeks for the 90th percentile. When it is determined someone needs a knee replacement, the benchmark is 26 weeks.
These numbers reflect province wide wait times, but there is quite a bit of variance. Waits in major cities, such as Calgary and Edmonton, tend to be longer than rural wait times.
Looking at the entire country, Alberta is actually above average in terms of working through wait lists, with over 60% of knee replacements occuring within benchmark.
How much does a private knee replacement cost in Alberta?
The short answer: it depends on what procedure you need and what the quote includes.
In Canada, private knee replacement (for one knee) falls in the range of $20,000–$28,000, and can be higher for complex cases, or range from $33,000 to $45,000 for bilateral knee replacements (both knees).
Below is a practical breakdown by surgery type.
Partial knee replacement (private cost)
$19,500 to $25,000
Typical private cost: often within the broader private knee replacement range, but your quote may differ depending on implant choice, facility fees, and included rehab.
(Clinics may price partial similarly to total, so it’s important to confirm.)
Common reasons cost can increase:
- Additional imaging requirements
- Higher complexity than expected (more compartments involved)
- Additional services bundled (rehab, longer stay, etc.)
A partial knee replacement may be an option when arthritis is limited to one compartment of the knee. It can be less invasive than a total replacement for the right patient. Note: less than 10% of knee replacements are partial knee replacements.
A partial knee replacement fixes only the damaged section (like the inside, outside, or under the kneecap). Because more of your natural knee stays in place, it can mean a smaller surgery and sometimes a faster recovery—but it only works if the damage is limited to one area.
Total knee replacement (private cost)
$21,000 to $28,000+ (one knee)
Total knee replacement is necessary for over 90% of cases when arthritis affects multiple compartments.
A total knee replacement replaces most or all of the joint surfaces. It’s more common when arthritis or damage affects multiple parts of the knee. Your surgeon will recommend the safest fit for your knee.
Robotic-assisted knee replacement (private cost)
Add on cost of $1,500 to $2,500
Robotic-assisted knee replacement typically means the surgeon uses a robotic system to support planning and precision during implant positioning. It’s still surgeon-led surgery, and it does not automatically mean better outcomes for every patient—but it can be valuable in specific contexts.
What may add cost with robotic cases:
- Pre-op CT planning (if required by the system)
- Specific implant platform compatibility
- Facility availability and scheduling
Revision knee replacement (private cost)
$28,000 to $40,000+ (highly variable)
Revision surgery is usually more complex than a first-time knee replacement. It may involve removing old components, addressing bone loss, infection risk management, and longer operating time.
Because revision cases vary so much, it’s especially important to request a written, itemized quote and ask what circumstances could change the price (e.g., longer stay, unexpected implant needs).
What’s typically included in a private knee replacement quote?
Private pricing is often easiest to compare when you know what categories should be on the page.
Many private packages include:
- Surgeon fee
- Facility/operating room fee
- Anesthesia
- Knee implant and standard surgical supplies
- Post-op follow-up (varies by clinic)
What is often not included (or may be partially included):
- Initial consultation fees (often $150–$350 in private settings)
- Pre-op medical clearance or tests
- Physiotherapy and longer rehab programs
- Travel and accommodation (if leaving Alberta)
- Mobility aids (walker, raised toilet seat)
A useful rule: if a quote is short, ask for an itemized breakdown before you compare it to another clinic.
Important legal and provincial considerations (Alberta)
This is where many patients feel the most uncertainty—so here is the simplest, compliance-first way to understand it.
Insured vs. uninsured: what you can (and can’t) pay for
- Insured services are medically necessary services covered by Alberta’s public plan (AHCIP). Under Alberta rules and the Canada Health Act framework, patients can not be charged extra for insured physician services when a physician is participating in the public plan.
- Uninsured services (or services not covered by the provincial plan) can be billed to patients, but fees must not be used to restrict access to insured care.
Opt-out exception
If a surgeon is opted out of AHCIP, they may render surgical services to Albertans within the province of Alberta.
Why many private knee replacements involve travel
In practice, many Canadians access private knee replacement by travelling to jurisdictions where the private pathway is structured differently (e.g., surgeons who are opted-out/un-enrolled, or private centres operating within local rules).
If you are exploring a private option, the important step is ensuring:
- The clinic is accredited/appropriate for the level of surgery
- Your quote clearly states what is insured vs uninsured
- You understand what follow-up care looks like when you return home
For more information, please see our guide on How Private Surgery Works in Canada.
Planning & paying for private knee surgery
Private knee replacement is a major purchase. It’s reasonable to want to know the “real total,” not just the base surgical number.
Budgeting: additional cost categories
When you pay for private knee surgery (or even use the public system but recover at home), the surgery fee is usually only part of the total cost.
Below is a breakdown of the most common “extra” expenses Canadians pay out of pocket. In many cases, these can add $2,500–$6,000 to your overall bill, depending on where you live and what your insurance covers.
Physiotherapy (often the biggest variable)
Physiotherapy is a major part of recovery after a knee replacement.
- Typical cost: around $120 for an assessment, and $90–$110 per follow-up visit
- Typical frequency: often 2–3 sessions per week for the first 6–8 weeks, then less as you progress
- Estimated total: $1,500–$2,500 for a full rehab course
- Insurance gap: many extended health plans cap physio around $500/year, which may be used up quickly
- Public coverage: publicly funded home-care physio varies, but is often limited to a small number of visits focused on safety at home—not full rehab
Travel and accommodation (if you travel for surgery)
If your surgery is out of province, you may need to stay nearby before heading home.
- Hotel stay: commonly 3–6 days post-op
- Typical cost: about $200/night (often $1,000+ total)
- Travel home: you may need extra legroom for comfort and safety
- Companion costs: many clinics require you to have someone with you for discharge and early recovery, which can increase travel and meal expenses
Recovery and medical equipment
Many patients need to buy or rent equipment before surgery.
Common examples:
- Walker: ~$150–$200
- Cane/crutches: ~$40–$60
- Raised toilet seat: ~$60–$100
- Bath bench/chair: ~$80–$150
- Cold therapy machine (optional): rent ~$150/week (often ~$400 total) or purchase ~$2,500
Medications after discharge
Hospital medications are covered during your stay, but prescriptions after discharge may not be (unless you have drug coverage).
Common examples include:
- Blood thinners for clot prevention (often for ~30 days)
- Pain and inflammation medications
Private convalescence (optional)
Some patients choose a short stay in a private recovery facility (“medical hotel”), especially if they live alone.
- Typical cost: $250–$400/day
- Often includes: nursing supervision, meals, and help with medication routines
Financing and support options
There are several ways Albertans finance these surgeries (read our Guide for an in-depth look)
- Cash
- Borrowing from friends and family
- Bank loans, lines of credit
- Medical financing
- Alternative lenders, fintech platforms
- Crowdfunding
Insurance and tax credits
Private insurance
Standard extended health benefits (e.g. Sun Life, Manulife) typically do not cover the cost of the surgery itself. However, they often cover related costs such as:
- Post-op physiotherapy
- Prescription medications
- Custom braces or crutches
- Medical devices (e.g., CPAP after sleep surgery)
Health spending account
If your employer provides a Health Spending Account (HSA) or "flex account," you can often use these funds to pay for the surgery. Unlike standard benefits, HSAs are usually flexible enough to cover CRA-eligible medical expenses, including private facility fees.
Tax Credits (Federal & Provincial)
You may be able to get some financial relief at tax time.
- Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC): You can generally claim eligible private surgery fees as a medical expense on your federal tax return—learn more about the METC here.
- Alberta Provincial Credit: Alberta has a parallel medical expense tax credit that can further reduce your provincial tax liability.
- Note: Travel costs (e.g., mileage, hotels) may also be claimable if you travel more than 40km (for travel expenses) or 80km (for accommodation/meals) to receive medical services not available near your home.
Please consult a tax professional before claiming any private surgery fees on your taxes.
How Surgency helps Albertans compare private knee replacement options
Finding private options is rarely the hard part. Knowing which ones are legitimate, transparent, and appropriate for your situation is the hard part.
Surgency is a physician-founded platform built to help Canadians:
- Browse accredited providers and clinics
- Compare credentials, locations, and pricing transparency
- Understand what’s typically included in quotes
If you’re exploring options in Alberta or Canada generally, Surgency can help you compare pathways with clarity.
Find a knee surgeon on Surgency
FAQs
How long is the waiting list for knee replacement in Alberta?
According to Alberta Waits, knee replacement wait times can vary widely—from about 6 weeks for the fastest 10% of patients to roughly 72 weeks for those in the slowest 10%. Once a patient is confirmed as needing a knee replacement, the target benchmark for surgery is 26 weeks.
Does Alberta Health (AHCIP) cover any part of private knee replacement surgery?
Generally, private surgeries performed in Canada are paid for out-of-pocket or via private insurance/ employer benefits.
Provincial plans (like OHIP, MSP, or AHCIP) typically do not cover procedures at private clinics, though some exceptions exist for WCB (Workers' Compensation) claims or specific inter-provincial programs.
Where can I get private orthopedic surgery if I live in Alberta?
Some private orthopedic services exist, but for many medically necessary procedures, Albertans often explore out-of-province private options structured under different provincial rules.
You can browse orthopedic surgeons in Calgary and Edmonton on Surgency, many of whom are opted out.
What factors affect the cost of private knee surgery?
The biggest drivers are procedure type (partial vs total vs revision), implant complexity, surgeon/facility fees, anesthesia, robotic assistance add-ons, bundled rehab, and medical complexity (which can increase OR time and resource needs).
Final word
When you’re dealing with chronic knee pain, “just wait” can feel like a plan with no end date.
You deserve clear information: what the public pathway looks like, what private care truly costs, and what is legal in Alberta when a service is insured versus uninsured.
If you’re ready to explore your options with more confidence, Surgency can help you compare Alberta-focused private pathways and next steps—clearly and safely.
Compare Alberta’s private knee replacement providers on Surgency.
