Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery swaps out the damaged parts of your knee for smooth artificial pieces so it bends and moves without pain.

Think of your knee like a rusty hinge. The smooth cartilage is worn down (arthritis), so it grinds and hurts. Surgery replaces:

• The worn thighbone surface
• The worn shinbone surface
• Sometimes the back of the kneecap

If knee pain is keeping you from work, sleep, or simple daily movement, time matters. Exploring a private pathway gives you more choice, control, and flexibility while staying within Canadian regulations.

Timing

The number one reason you might consider a private knee replacement is time. Knee replacements have some of the longest waiting times in Canada, with some patients waiting ~2 years. 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.

Choice and control

Going private generally gives you a sense of control, which can be reassuring during a difficult time. When you choose a private knee replacement, you can:

• Select a certified orthopaedic surgeon and an accredited clinic that fits your needs.
• Select the clinic location (often out-of-province).
• Plan surgery around your own schedule.

Clarity upfront

Private pathways typically provide a clear quote and date, so you can arrange time off, caregiver help, and rehab. This certainty can ease anxiety and help families plan for recovery.

Preventing further decline

For some, waiting too long can mean more than just discomfort. Knee deterioration may worsen over time, making recovery harder. Timely surgery can reduce the risk of further mobility loss.

1. Confirm your diagnosis. Most patients start with a family doctor or specialist who confirms that knee replacement surgery is needed.
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2. ‍Research. Explore surgeons who specialize in private knee 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.‍
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3. 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.‍
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4. Consultation. The surgeon will review your condition, symptoms, and any previous treatments or diagnostics, such as x-rays or MRIs.
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5. Post consultation. The surgeon will then review your case and provide surgical options based on your needs (i.e. total or partial replacement); review the risks and expected outcomes; and present pricing and scheduling options.
   
   • Because the procedure is not covered by your provincial health plan when done privately, you’ll need to review the quoted cost and consider payment options (out-of-pocket, private insurance, or financing).‍
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6. Schedule your surgery date. Once you confirm the procedure and payment, the clinic will schedule your surgery—generally within a few weeks.
   • Plan for travel and accommodation, since the surgery will likely take place outside your home province.
   • Expect pre-surgery preparation, and possibly some pre-surgery tests.

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.

• Anesthesia: You’re put to sleep (often spinal + sedation).
• Incision: Cut at the front of the knee.
• Remove damage: Trim worn cartilage/bone from femur, tibia (and sometimes kneecap).
• Shape bones: Precisely cut to fit implants.
• Implants in: Metal caps on femur/tibia with a plastic spacer between; may resurface kneecap.
• Test motion and stability.
• Close layers and skin; bandage.
• Stand and start physio same day or next.

The clinic will provide you with an extensive knee replacement surgery recovery plan that includes physiotherapy, pain management, and further monitoring. The recovery process varies from patient to patient. Your knee replacement outcomes 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.

Here’s a general guide to knee surgery recovery time:

Week 1:

• There's no sugar coating it, the first week is painful and cumbersome.
• Goals: Pain control, swelling reduction, initial basic movement.

• Activities:
  
  • Clinic recovery for 1-3 days.
  • Preliminary physiotherapy to prevent stiffness and encourage circulation.
  • Adaptive living. Using a walker, transitioning in and out of things slowly (i.e. bed, restroom, car).
  • 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).

Weeks 2-4:

• The next 3 weeks are still characterized by significant discomfort, swelling, frustration, and emotional highs and lows.
• Goals: Settling into your new routines, applying yourself to daily pre-exercises, and slowly increasing activity.
  

• Activities:
  
  • Daily exercises
  • Physiotherapy
  • Walking. Slowly increasing distance with the use of a walking aids.

Weeks 5-12:

• These weeks are challenging, but rewarding. Focus and diligence on exercises will likely pay off, and you'll likely be able to walk again unassisted and be able to drive.
• Goals: Increasing physical therapy, restoring range of motion, regaining strength, transitioning off of walking aids.

• Activities:
  
  • More challenging physical therapy in order to improve range of motion and build strength, potentially able to lift things over 10-15 pounds.
    
  • Daily exercises. Possibly low impact activities like swimming (only if cleared by healthcare team).
  • Walking longer distances—transitioning from the use of walking aids around week 6-8.

Weeks 13-52:

• The worst of the pain and swelling usually subsides after 12 weeks, but you'll need to stay on top of physical therapy and listen carefully to your body in the year post operation.
• Goals: Regain full functionality of the knee joint, recover your lost strength, 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 to protect the artificial joint.
  • 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.

Private knee replacement surgery in Canada generally ranges from $20,000 to $28,000.

Comparatively, in the United States, you can expect to pay CAD$35,000 to $60,000.

This estimate includes the core medical expenses: surgeon and anaesthesiologist fees, hospital or surgical facility charges, the knee implant itself, and immediate post-operative care.

Costs may be higher if a patient requires specialized implants or an extended hospital stay.

We’ve put together a detailed breakdown of the cost of a knee replacement in Canada.

What’s included

Most quotes for private knee replacement surgery cover:

• Surgeon and anesthesiologist fees.
• Hospital or clinic facility fees.
• Implant (prosthetic knee joint).
• Nursing and immediate post-operative care.
• Initial rehabilitation or physiotherapy planning (varies by clinic).

What’s usually not included:

• Travel and accommodation if surgery is out-of-province.
• Long-term physiotherapy after discharge.
• Medications, once you return home.

Insurance and financing options

• Private health insurance: Some plans may cover part of the costs, such as hospital fees or implants. 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 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 knee replacement consultation.

What to look for

• Experience and volume
  • Ask how many total knee replacements (TKR) they perform each year, primary vs revision, and their use of technologies (patient-specific guides, navigation, robotics). Higher volume often correlates with smoother care and outcomes.
• 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 adult reconstruction (hip/knee arthroplasty) fellowship training.
• Outcomes and safety
  • Request 12–24 month data: infection rates, blood clot (DVT/PE) rates, stiffness/manipulation-under-anesthesia rates, readmissions, and revision rates.
• Implant strategy and alignment philosophy
  • Discuss implant brand and design, fixation (cemented vs cementless), polyethylene type, and alignment method (mechanical vs kinematic) and why it fits you.
  • Ask about patella resurfacing policy and how they manage flexion instability.
• Imaging and planning
  • Pre-op templating, assessment of deformity/ligaments, leg length/offset, and use of navigation/robotics or patient-specific instruments when indicated.‍
• 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 knee‑savvy physiotherapy, clear phased protocol, and communication with your local therapist if you’re traveling.

Questions to ask during your knee replacement consultation

Surgeon and surgery plan

• How many primary TKRs do you perform yearly? What are your infection, DVT/PE, stiffness (MUA), and revision rates?
• Which implant and fixation do you recommend for me (cemented vs cementless; posterior-stabilized vs cruciate-retaining)? Why?
• Do you resurface the kneecap routinely? What factors guide that decision?
• What alignment method do you use (mechanical vs kinematic) and how do you personalize it?
• Do you use navigation/robotics or patient-specific guides in my case? Proven benefits for me?
• Anesthesia and pain plan: spinal vs general, nerve blocks, multimodal medications.
• Setting and stay: ambulatory center vs hospital; same-day vs overnight.

Recovery and aftercare

• Timelines: When can I walk without aids, drive, return to desk work vs manual work, and resume low-impact sports?
• Physio plan: Frequency and duration; do you provide a written protocol and coordinate with my local therapist?
• DVT prevention: What blood thinner and for how long?
• Wound care and activity precautions: Stairs, kneeling, range-of-motion targets by week.
• Red flags: What should prompt me to call or go to the ER?
• Communication: Who is my post-op contact (direct line/email) and typical response time? How many follow-ups are included and when?

Costs and logistics

• What exactly is included in my quote (surgeon, anesthesiologist, facility fees, implant, imaging, walker/canes, on‑site meds, scheduled follow‑ups)?
• What could add cost (extra nights, custom or constrained implants, unexpected imaging, blood transfusion, complications/re-operations)?
• How are complications handled and billed? Do you have a revision/transfer policy with a partner hospital?
• If I’m traveling from another province, which follow-ups can be virtual? Will I receive the operative note, implant stickers, and rehab plan for my local team/insurer?