Private Hip Arthroscopy Surgery Canada

What is hip resurfacing?

Hip resurfacing is a surgery that fixes a damaged hip joint by reshaping, not fully replacing, the ball-and-socket. Your hip works like a ball (top of the thigh bone) moving in a socket (part of the pelvis). When the smooth cartilage wears out from arthritis or injury, the joint becomes painful and rough.

In hip resurfacing, the surgeon trims and caps the damaged “ball” (femoral head) with a rounded metal cover, preserving most of your own bone. On the socket side, they place a matching metal cup inside the pelvis. These two smooth metal surfaces glide against each other, acting like a refreshed joint. Because the femoral head and neck are kept, the leg’s natural anatomy is maintained more closely than with a traditional total hip replacement, which removes the entire ball and inserts a stem down the thigh bone.

Hip resurfacing is designed for people who need durable joint surfaces while keeping as much bone as possible, so future options remain open if more surgery is ever needed. It aims to restore a natural-feeling, stable hip with components sized to match your anatomy.

Why do people choose do get hip resurfacing done privately?

Shorter wait times

Time matters when every step hurts.
Private clinics can often schedule consultation and surgery sooner, reducing months of hip pain.
Faster care helps you return to daily life earlier.

Choice and control

Choose an experienced hip resurfacing specialist.
Select the clinic location (though often out-of-province).
Plan surgery around work, family, or sport schedules.

Peace of mind

Know exactly who will operate, when it will happen, and the detailed plan (implant system, component sizing, surgical approach).
Clear timelines reduce anxiety and help families coordinate support and physiotherapy.

Preventing further decline

Function and quality of life: Limits months of pain, limping, and restricted activity that derail work, sport, and sleep.
Joint and overall health: Earlier surgery helps avoid deconditioning from immobility (muscle loss, balance issues, weight gain, cardiovascular fitness decline).
Surgical complexity: Progressive deformity or stiffness can make later surgery more complex; timely resurfacing can preserve bone and natural mechanics.
Mental load: Shortens time living with uncertainty, restricted activities, and ongoing night pain.

Why use Surgency

For Canadians who want surgery in weeks, not months

Surgency is a free resource by a Canadian physician in the public system to help you find the right surgeon for your needs.

Click to Browse Surgeons

How do I get a private hip resurfacing in Canada?

Confirm your diagnosis. Most patients start with a family doctor or specialist who confirms that surgery is advisable. A private surgeon can also confirm the diagnosis if needed.
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Research.
- 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.
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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.
- We recommend booking 2 - 4 consultations with different surgeons to better understand your options.
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Consultation. The surgeon will review your condition, symptoms, and any previous treatments or diagnostics, such as x-rays or MRIs.
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‍Post consultation. The surgeon will then review your case and provide surgical (and non-surgical) options based on your needs; review the risks and expected outcomes; and present pricing and scheduling options.
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Schedule your surgery date. Once you confirm the procedure and payment, the clinic will schedule your surgery—generally within a few weeks.

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.

How much does private hip arthroscopy surgery cost in Canada?

Private clinics in Canada charge roughly $15,000 to $25,000 for hip arthroscopy.

Costs vary with city, surgeon experience/volume, clinic vs hospital setting, case complexity, implants/anchors used, and whether services are bundled (all‑inclusive vs itemized anesthesia, imaging, follow‑ups).

What’s included

Most quotes for private hip arthroscopy cover:

Surgeon fee (and assistant if used) and anesthesiologist/general anesthesia.
Facility fees (OR time, nursing, standard supplies, arthroscopy tower).
Standard implants/anchors and disposable instruments for routine labral repair/FAI work.
Immediate post‑op recovery care and routine early follow‑ups (wound check, suture removal).
Basic discharge items and initial rehab instructions (sometimes a brace/crutches if bundled).

What’s usually not included:

Pre‑op consults and advanced imaging beyond basics (MRI arthrogram, CT for 3D mapping).
Specialty implants/extra anchors for complex or revision cases.
Braces, continuous‑passive‑motion devices, or additional equipment if not bundled.
Unexpected overnight admission, additional imaging, or management of complications beyond the routine global period.
Formal physiotherapy beyond initial guidance (ongoing PT sessions are usually out‑of‑pocket/insurance).
Post‑discharge medications (pain meds, anti‑nausea).
Travel and accommodation if out‑of‑province.

Insurance and financing options

Private health insurance: Some plans may cover part of the costs, such as hospital fees. It’s important to check your policy directly.
Financing plans: Many clinics offer monthly payment options to help spread out the cost. Learn more about your financing options here.‍
Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC): This is a non-refundable credit that reduces your taxes when you pay out-of-pocket for eligible medical expenses. Learn more about how to claim METC for private surgeries.

Choosing a surgeon and clinic

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 arthroscopy consultation.

What to look for

Experience and volume
- Ask how many hip arthroscopies they perform each year and their case mix (FAI cam/pincer, labral repair vs reconstruction, capsular plication, revisions). High volume often means smoother care.
Credentials and training
- Confirm licensure with the provincial college (e.g., CPSO in Ontario, CPSBC in BC, CPSA in Alberta).
- Look for FRCSC-certified orthopaedic surgeons with fellowship training in hip arthroscopy/sports medicine.
Specialization and outcomes
- Ask about return-to-sport rates, reoperation rates (revision arthroscopy or conversion to hip replacement), complication rates (nerve traction symptoms, heterotopic bone), and typical timelines.
Technique and philosophy
- Do they routinely repair (not debride) the labrum when possible?
- How do they address FAI: amount of cam/pincer resection, rim trimming, acetabular/femoral version considerations?
- Do they close/tighten the capsule (capsular closure/plication) and in which patients?
Imaging and planning
- Comfort with MRI arthrograms and 3D CT for bony planning when needed; uses intra‑operative fluoroscopy for precise reshaping.
Facility accreditation‍
- Make sure the clinic is accredited by national bodies such as Accreditation Canada or the Canadian Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (CAAASF).‍
Rehab integration‍
- Access to hip‑savvy physiotherapy, clear phased protocol, and communication with your local therapist if you’re traveling.

Questions to ask during your hip arthroscopy consultation

Surgeon and surgery plan

How many hip arthroscopies do you perform yearly? What’s your typical case mix and complication/reoperation rates?
Based on my imaging, do I need labral repair or reconstruction? How many anchors are typical in cases like mine?
What anesthesia and pain plan do you use (nerve blocks, multimodal meds)? Expected OR time?
Where will the procedure be done (ambulatory center vs hospital)? Is it fully accredited?

Recovery and aftercare

Weight‑bearing and bracing: Will I use a brace? Crutches for how long? Sleeping precautions?
Motion and activity milestones: When do I start stationary bike, drive, return to desk work, jog, cut/pivot, and full sport?
Physio cadence: How often early on, and how do you coordinate with my therapist? Do you provide a written protocol?
What symptoms should prompt me to call or go to the ER (e.g., calf pain, fever, severe numbness)?
Who is my point of contact after surgery and typical response time?

Costs and logistics

What exactly is included in my quote (surgeon, facility, anesthesia, implants/anchors up to how many, brace/crutches, follow‑ups)?
What could add cost (extra anchors, reconstruction instead of repair, unexpected overnight stay, additional imaging, complications)?
If complications occur or a revision is needed, how are costs handled? Do you have a revision policy?
If I’m traveling from another province, which follow‑ups can be virtual? What records will I receive for my local care team/insurer?

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.

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.

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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)

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

Individual risk depends on your anatomy, diagnosis (FAI, labral tear, cartilage damage), surgeon experience, and rehab. Discuss your specifics with your surgeon.

Common and usually temporary

Pain, swelling, bruising at portal sites
Temporary numbness or tingling (from traction or skin nerves)
Stiffness, hip flexor irritation, snapping or popping sensations
Nausea from anesthesia; DVT risk is low but not zero

Less common

Nerve stretch/pressure symptoms from traction (pudendal, lateral femoral cutaneous) causing groin numbness or thigh burning; usually improves over weeks–months
Persistent stiffness or weakness (hip flexor/abductors)
Heterotopic ossification (extra bone formation) causing pain or limited motion
Chondral injury (cartilage scuffing) or labrum not healing as expected
Deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism (rare)

Uncommon but important

Infection (superficial or deep joint infection)
Fracture of the femoral neck or acetabular rim after aggressive bone resection (rare; risk higher with early high-impact activity)
Hip instability if the capsule isn’t closed/tightened appropriately or in patients with laxity
Residual impingement (insufficient bone reshaping) or over-resection
Nerve or vessel injury from instruments (rare)
Need for repeat surgery (revision arthroscopy) or conversion to hip replacement later

Procedure-specific considerations

Labral repair vs reconstruction: reconstruction uses grafts; may have longer rehab and more anchors/cost.
Extensive cam/pincer resection: requires precise imaging and intra-op fluoro to avoid under/over-correction.
Microfracture/cartilage procedures: longer protected weight-bearing and variable outcomes.

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.

I still have questions

If you still have questions, then feel free to contact us directly.

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