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Informational purposes only, not medical or legal advice. Please consult your doctor or surgeon.
Hip replacement surgery (also called total hip arthroplasty or THA) swaps out a worn‑out hip joint for smooth artificial parts so it can move with less pain and better function.
Think of your hip like a ball‑and‑socket hinge:
When cartilage wears out (most often from osteoarthritis, but also rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, or old injuries), the bone surfaces can start to rub and grind. This can cause groin pain, stiffness, limping, and trouble walking, climbing stairs, or sleeping.
In a standard total hip replacement, the surgeon replaces:
The goal is a joint that’s stable, smooth, and durable, so you can walk and move more comfortably.
A hip replacement done on one hip (left or right).
Hip replacements done on both hips. This can be:
Whether bilateral is appropriate depends on age, fitness, blood-loss risk, heart/lung health, home support, and surgeon preference.
Robot-assisted hip replacement uses computer guidance (and in some centres, a robotic arm) to help the surgeon plan and position the components more precisely—especially the cup position in the pelvis.
Important: the surgeon is still in control the entire time. “Robot-assisted” typically means:
It can be helpful for certain anatomies, complex cases, or surgeons/centres that use robotics routinely. It’s a tool—not a guarantee of a better outcome—and rehab still matters.
A revision hip replacement is surgery to fix or replace an existing hip replacement that has failed or is causing problems.
Instead of replacing your natural joint, revision surgery replaces some or all of the artificial parts due to issues like:
Revisions are usually more complex than first-time hip replacements because there may be bone loss, scar tissue, or infection concerns.
Hip resurfacing is a different operation that keeps more of your natural bone.
Instead of removing the whole femoral head and inserting a stem, the surgeon:
In short: total hip replacement is the most common, broadly suitable solution for severe hip arthritis; hip resurfacing is a more niche option for carefully selected candidates.
Check out this article for a comprehensive overview on the different types of Hip Replacement surgery (i.e. anterior, posterior, lateral, robotic, etc).
The number one reason people consider private hip replacement is time. Hip replacements have some of the longest wait times in Canada—some will wait 2+ years. Given the median age for hip replacements is 65 in Canada, this amount of time is significant.
Instead of waiting months or years for surgery, private clinics often offer surgery within weeks. For many, this means less pain and a quicker return to daily life.
Going private generally gives you a sense of control, which can be reassuring during a difficult time. When you go private, you can:
Waiting in pain takes an emotional toll. With private care, patients often appreciate the clarity of knowing who will perform their surgery, when it’ll happen, and what the upfront costs will be. This certainty can ease anxiety and help families plan for recovery.
The surgery itself is no different from what’s performed in the public system. Surgeons use the same techniques, implants, and safety standards. The operation usually takes 2-3 hours.
Consultation for total hip replacement involves a thorough review and discussion of your hip symptoms, including, but not limited to:
An in-depth review of the following will also help determine if you are a candidate for total hip replacement in a private facility:
This is important, as private surgical facilities provide similar, and often more efficient, surgical resources to hospital settings, but do not encompass the entire medical resources of a hospital.
After a detailed history, a physical examination will assess aspects important to your hip pain such as:
After history and physical, your surgeon will review all your diagnostic imaging
The final part of the consultation is a discussion of treatment options. From a surgical perspective, your surgeon will explain:
Dr. Illical provides sees patients interested in pursuing total hip replacement, either in person (Calgary or Vancouver) or virtually. Please visit his profile page for more information.
The clinic will provide you with an extensive hip replacement surgery recovery plan that includes physiotherapy, pain management, and further monitoring. The recovery process varies from patient to patient. Your recovery might look quite different, so please seek further guidance from your surgeon.
Please take post-operative care seriously. The more diligently this process is followed, the better the outcome tends to be.
Some private clinics offer virtual follow-up appointments, while others coordinate with local providers in your home province. For an in-depth look into recovery, read our Recovery Guide here.
In general, here is what you can expect:
Week 1:
Weeks 2-4:
Weeks 5-12:
Weeks 13-52:
Even after 1 - 2 years, there are precautions you will need to take to protect your new hip. Read Lifetime Precautions After Hip Replacement for moreinformation.
In Canada, private hip replacement surgery generally ranges from $20,000 to $38,000+.
Comparatively, in the United States, you can expect to pay CAD$40,000 to $70,000.
This estimate includes surgeon fees, hospital or surgical centre charges, anaesthesia, the hip implant itself, and immediate post-surgical care.
Costs may vary if you require additional medical services, special implants, or extended hospital stays.
Learn more about how much a private hip replacement costs in Alberta.
Most quotes for private hip replacement surgery cover:
What’s usually not included:
Choosing your surgeon is one of the benefits of going the private route. Here’s what to consider and the key questions to bring to your hip replacement consultation.
Hip replacement is a major surgery, but you might be a candidate if you're experiencing chronic hip pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, severe joint damage, hip fractures, and/or avascular necrosis (death of bone tissue from cut off blood supply). Additionally, if you've exhausted more conservative measures such as medication, cortisone injections, and physical therapy, then you may be a candidate for hip replacement.
Most private surgical clinics in Canada require a referral from a family doctor, walk-in clinic physician, or specialist. Your referring doctor will send over your medical records, imaging, biopsy results, and relevant blood work.
If you don't have a family doctor, many private clinics can help you navigate the referral process or connect you with a physician who can provide one, so you can still reach out, even if you don't have a referral.
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 replacement 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.
Your individual risk depends on health, anatomy, bone quality, surgical approach, implant choices, and rehab. Discuss specifics with your surgeon.
Common and usually temporary
Less common
Uncommon but important/long-term
Your own situation depends on pain level, mobility, joint damage on imaging, overall health, and how well non‑surgical care works. Discuss specifics with your surgeon.
Main risks of delaying or not having hip replacement (when symptoms are significant/persistent)
When watchful waiting can be reasonable
When not to delay
Partial hip replacement only replaces the femoral head, leaving the natural hip socket intact. It is less invasive and leaves more natural bone, cartilage, and ligaments intact. Can risk cartilage breakdown from the artificial ball moving against the natural socket. Only suitable for certain patients with specific hip fractures.
Full hip replacement is more common, and involves replacing the femoral head and socket with prosthetic parts. It's a more extensive procedure and removes more bone, cartilage, and ligaments; but tends to avoid future complications from natural socket wear. Suitable for patients with severe osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or joint damage.
Most patients will be recommended total hip replacement due to better long term outcomes. Your surgeon will advise which surgery makes sense for you.
Browse vetted hip surgeons across Canada. Compare prices, qualifications, locations.
BROWSE SURGEONS
FRCSC-certified orthopedic surgeon with sub-specialty interest in complex knee-related conditions, as well as 14 years of practice experience managing most general orthopedic problems.
Experienced orthopedic surgeon known for a patient-centred approach and technical versatility, ranging from soft tissue repair (sports medicine) to total joint replacements (knee, shoulder, hip).
Dual board-certified, dual fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstruction (hip and knee arthroplasty) and orthopaedic trauma, with 14 years of experience.
Triple fellowship certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip & knee surgery, combining minimally invasive techniques and advanced robotic-assisted tech to help patients return to activity faster.
One of Toronto’s leading orthopedic surgeons specializing in hip and knee replacement surgery, including minimally invasive direct anterior hip replacements & robotically assisted total knee replacements.
