Hip Arthroscopy

Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive solution for individuals experiencing mechanical hip issues in a mostly healthy joint. Find the right surgeon that fits your needs below, serving Canadians in major cities like Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario; and Montréal, Québec.

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Reviewed and approved by Dr. Sean Haffey
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Decide where to go

To get private surgery in Canada, you'll generally need to travel out of province. So your first step is deciding where makes sense for you.
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Schedule a consult

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For Canadians who want surgery in weeks

Surgency is a free resource by a Canadian physician in the public system to help you find the right surgeon for your needs.
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How do I get a private hip arthroscopy in Canada?

  1. Research. Explore surgeons who specialize in private hip replacement.
  • You can find surgeons in Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario; and Montréal, Québec on our app, and review qualifications, as well as pricing.
  1. Schedule an initial consultation. Most surgeons offer in-clinic and online consults.
  • Consultations are usually booked within days or a few weeks.
  • Note: expect a consultation fee between $150 - $350
  1. Consultation. The surgeon will review your condition, symptoms, and any previous treatments or diagnostics, such as X-rays or MRIs.
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  2. Post consultation. The surgeon will then review your case and provide surgical options based on your needs; review the risks and expected outcomes; and present pricing and scheduling options.
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  3. Schedule your surgery date. Once you confirm the procedure and payment, the clinic will schedule your surgery—generally within a few weeks.
  • Expect pre-surgery preparation, and possibly some pre-surgery tests.
  • Regarding financing, you can learn more about your options here.
  1. Surgery. The clinic will provide you with attendance instructions.
  • The operation usually takes 2-3 hours.
  • Depending on the clinic, you might be discharged within hours of your surgery, or stay for 1-2 nights.
  1. Post-operative care. The clinic will provide you with an extensive hip arthroscopy surgery recovery plan that includes physiotherapy, pain management, and further monitoring.
  • Note: please take post-operative care seriously. The more diligently this process is followed, the better the outcome tends to be.
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Hip arthroscopy frequently asked questions

How do I know if a hip arthroscopy is right for me?

Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery that treats issues in a natural hip with a mostly healthy joint. It's generally used for younger, active individuals with minimal arthritis who have tried more conservative measures such as medication and physio without success.

This surgery treats labral tears, bone growths causing femoroacetabular impingement, chondral flaps, loose bodies (i.e. bone, cartilage), synovitis, and dysplasia-related issues.

Hip arthroscopy is generally not advisable if you have arthritis (due to joint space narrowing and/or cartialge loss) or if there is an advanced deformity or dysplasia causing structural problems that can't be solved arthroscopically.

Ultimately, your surgeon will advise you whether hip arthroscopy makes sense, given your unique circumstances.

How much does private hip arthroscopy surgery cost in Canada?

Hip replacement is a major surgery with significant costs. Private clinics in Canada charge between $20,000 - $30,000.

You also need to take into account the cost of travel and accommodation when travelling out of province.

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.)

Do I need a referral?

No, you do not need a referral for private hip arthroscopy in Canada. You can book a consultation directly with a surgeon, and they will review your condition, symptoms, and any previous treatments or diagnostics.

What are the risks of delaying or not getting hip arthroscopy?

The answer to this question depends heavily on your unique circumstances. Please consult your surgeon for tailored advice.

In general, delaying hip arthroscopy by 6-12 months presents several potential risks:

  • Worsening pain and mobility
  • Progressive cartilage and joint damage that may compromise surgical outcomes
  • Worsening labral tears
  • More difficult recovery post-surgery

If you need shoulder arthroscopy, and do not get it, then you may risk:

  • Chronic hip pain
  • Permanent structural damage to hip joint and tendons
  • Substantial limitations to daily life (i.e. unable to return to sport or active hobbies)

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How do I prepare for hip arthroscopy?

Your surgeon will provide you with guidance on how to prepare, but you can expect some pre-surgery exercises to help with stiffness, muscle weakness, and range of motion issues. If you smoke, you will be advised to stop to improve healing outcomes. Depending on your weight, you may be advised to diet and exercise to reduce surgical risks and improve healing outcomes.

Home prep: We recommend taking the time to rearrange your home to prepare for the first few months after surgery. Ensure everything you need is within easy reach and remove anything that presents a tripping hazard (chords, sliding rugs, loose items). You might also consider installing safety equipment like a shower chair and safety bars in your bathroom.

Support: Try to arrange for someone to stay with you for the first few days after surgery, and someone close by who can reach you in the event of an emergency for the first several weeks/months after surgery.

Work: Hip arthroscopy is minimally invasive, but recovery is difficult. If possible, you will likely need to request time off work to recover.

Post-surgery practice: You might consider 'practicing' daily activities with substantially limited range of motion, such as getting in and out of the car, getting in and out of bed, putting on and taking off shoes, etc.

What are the risks and side effects involved with hip arthroscopy?

Hip arthroscopy is considered safe with a low complication rate, but, like any surgery, carries inherent risks of infection, blood clots, and anesthesia complications.

For hip arthroscopy specifically, there are, in rare cases, risks of nerve injury, cartilage damage, and bone scar tissue formation.

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What can I expect from the hip arthroscopy recovery process?

The recovery process varies patient to patient. Your recovery might look quite different, so please seek further guidance from your surgeon. In general here is what you can expect:

Week 1:

  • Goals: Pain management, swelling reduction, initial basic movement, preventing blood clots.
  • Activities:
    • Assisted walking, ankle pumps, breathing exercises, and physical therapy within first day.
    • Practicing simple movements (in and out of bed, using bathroom) without assistance.
    • Pain medication management and wound care (it will be advantageous to have a friend, family member, or caretaker support you for both in the first few days).
    • Minimal weight bearing with crutches, only walking a few minutes per day (if at all).
    • Exercises focusing on muscle activation and passive motion (as directed by your surgeon).

Weeks 2-4:

  • Goals: transition to partial weight-bearing, slowly increase mobility and strength.
  • Activities:
    • Wound care, possibly removing stitches.
    • Physio focused on a developing range of motion and simple strength building exercises.
    • Slowly increase walking duration, using assistive devices as needed.

Weeks 5-12:

  • Goals: Walk unassisted, restore gait, resume most normal activities.
  • Activities:
    • More challenging physical therapy, progressive overload, restoring near full range of motion.
    • Walking longer distances, focusing on normalizing the gait. Potentially jogging around 8-10 weeks.

Weeks 13-52:

  • Goals: Regain full or near-full range of motion, recover your lost strength and stamina, and slowly return to normal activity levels.
  • Activities:
    • Physical therapy may continue the entire first year post operation, gradually bringing you back to your activity levels pre-surgery.
    • Daily exercises are no longer essential once you achieve normal range of motion and strength, but routine exercise is encouraged to keep muscles strong.
    • You will be able to return to low impact sports like golf, tennis, swimming, or cycling. For anything high impact, please consult your surgeon and physio.
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