Hip replacement

[BloodHound70]

Originally Posted by PBHunter

Not sure if I should post this here or not, but my father is as fast tracked for a hip replacement performed here in Alberta last fall and it has been nothing but a disaster. I fully understand complications can happen, but this is beginning to be a bit much. Here’s the coles notes version of what’s going on…
Hip replacement Sept 27/2022
— does extremely well for 3 wks post op, then the infection is discovered
Repeat surgery Nov 2022
— infection still present
Repeat surgery Dec 2022
— sent to care facility for recovery, 6 wks later fractures femur getting out bed at care centre
Fracture repair and hip implant replacement Jan 20233
— something not right with surgery , surgery repeated Feb 2023

— seemingly things move along well until June 2023; infection is back and implants for fracture repair are broken

Surgery to remove implant and replace hip prosthetic July 2023

—- recovery moving along slowly , doing well until femur breaks through screw hole , Sept 27/ 2023 (go figure)

Surgery to repair fracture and hip implants again Oct 2023

—- 2 wks later , infection again

Surgery to remove all implants, will be done bed ridden for 3-6 months Oct 2023

—- yes he is still in the hospital as of right now

Anyhow, complications happen and the Doctors have been excellent throughout all of this. The nursing care on the other hand … no words

My fathers good friend paid to get both of his hips replaced in Ontario around the same time my father had his first surgery. He’s walking around like a new man. Pay to get it done outside of Alberta if you can.

This is aweful and feel bad that your dad has gone through this, however this is on the far side of an extreme case and not the norm. Not a fair representation of some great surgeons here in Alberta.

I waited not quite a year and had my hip done Aug 2022 with zero complications. I was back to work without restriction after 3 months. It was life changing as I have zero pain. I for one do not have $25,000 or more to spend going elsewhere.

BH

[Spidey]

My neighbor recently went to Lithuania to have his hip replaced. I think this is the service he used.

https://www.nordorthopaedics.com/en/...road-lithuania

This did not include his round trip flight, which he needed first class to fly home in order to stretch out. It was either that or stay and rehab a couple more weeks and fly back economy.

Overall, he seems happy with the results and what he paid.

[BcK]

i’m almost 2 years now waiting for hip surgery, that’s a long time without much sleep

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by BcK

i’m almost 2 years now waiting for hip surgery, that’s a long time without much sleep

Dam, I waited 18 months but that was during the covid era then it was in at 0600, surgery at 0800hrs up walking by the afternoon and they would have released me that day but decided to keep me until the morning....no issues other then me wanting to do too much.

Had the surgery in Edmonton, Dr. Panaro.

http://waittimes.alberta.ca/Speciali...sp?physID=6130

[elkhunter11]

I just talked to a guy at the gym that waited three years. He actually got tired of waiting, and had booked a surgery in the USA, then he got the call for a surgery in Edmonton.

[Bigwoodsman]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I just talked to a guy at the gym that waited three years. He actually got tired of waiting, and had booked a surgery in the USA, then he got the call for a surgery in Edmonton.

A friend of a friend was on the waitlist for a hip replacement. The guy could hardly walk or stand. He was in his garage, when he fell and sliced his calf on his tool box. Went to emergency for stitches, when asked how it happened he told them his hip pain caused him to trip and fall. Within 3 weeks he had a new hip.

BW

[Dean2]

I rarely post private health or personal information, but there are so many people waiting in the 3 to 4 year queue for surgeries of all sorts I thought I would make an exception. If you can pursue the private option I highly recommend it.

Just out of hip surgery done privately. As I sit here on the edge of the bed at the Clear Point facility in Toronto I can say that the private pay option is the way to go if you can. T))Remember, the surgery, flights and accommodation are classed as a medical expense so are fully deductible on your taxes. Surgery is 28,000, business class fights for two so you have enough leg room 3500 (you can get medical forms filled out so you get better leg room in economy, as well as a bit of a break on your companions flight costs, so may want to explore that), hotels and food for two (Clear Point has a room deal with the Sheraton Airport across the steeet, 165 a night. Decent hotel, very good on site restaurant, bar, nearlby restaurants, good gym, pool etc. Full ammenities), 1500.

I arrived at 7 this morning. Fully prepped by 8, back in recovery room at 9. Zero issues except for fluctuating blood pressure that settled down by 10. No headache, dizziness or vomitting, anistetic wore off quickly and well. No pain to speak of, even now 10 hours later. My leg, even with the incision, hurts almost not at all, even walking and for sure WAY less that it did before surgery. Only pain killers are two Tylenol about every 4 hours.

Was up walking around at 3 and have taken 4 more short walks since then. Good range of motion in the fixed leg. They make me use a walker and go slow but I could easily walk without it. Can put full weight on the fixed leg and can sit upright on the edge of the bed, or stand unassisted.

Service and care has been spectacular. Dr Cayen is top notch amd does a ton of these surgeries. Nursing staff are attentive, friendly and have a sense of humour. So are the orderlies. Overnight recovery rooms are large and are private. They have tv but bring your signin passwwords for Prime Netflix etc as there is no cable or free tv. I didn't do that but lots to entertain with other stuff. .

Will be discharged about 10 tomorrow, spend 2 more days in Toronto at the Sheraton hotel just across the street then fly home.

[tirebob]

Originally Posted by Dean2

I rarely post private health or personal information, but there are so many people waiting in the 3 to 4 year queue for surgeries of all sorts I thought I would make an exception. If you can pursue the private option I highly recommend it.

Just out of hip surgery done privately. As I sit here on the edge of the bed at the Clear Point facility in Toronto I can say that the private pay option is the way to go if you can. T))Remember, the surgery, flights and accommodation are classed as a medical expense so are fully deductible on your taxes. Surgery is 28,000, business class fights for two so you have enough leg room 3500 (you can get medical forms filled out so you get better leg room in economy, as well as a bit of a break on your companions flight costs, so may want to explore that), hotels and food for two (Clear Point has a room deal with the Sheraton Airport across the steeet, 165 a night. Decent hotel, very good on site restaurant, bar, nearlby restaurants, good gym, pool etc. Full ammenities), 1500.

I arrived at 7 this morning. Fully prepped by 8, back in recovery room at 9. Zero issues except for fluctuating blood pressure that settled down by 10. No headache, dizziness or vomitting, anistetic wore off quickly and well. No pain to speak of, even now 10 hours later. My leg, even with the incision, hurts almost not at all, even walking and for sure WAY less that it did before surgery. Only pain killers are two Tylenol about every 4 hours.

Was up walking around at 3 and have taken 4 more short walks since then. Good range of motion in the fixed leg. They make me use a walker and go slow but I could easily walk without it. Can put full weight on the fixed leg and can sit upright on the edge of the bed, or stand unassisted.

Service and care has been spectacular. Dr Cayen is top notch amd does a ton of these surgeries. Nursing staff are attentive, friendly and have a sense of humour. So are the orderlies. Overnight recovery rooms are large and are private. They have tv but bring your signin passwwords for Prime Netflix etc as there is no cable or free tv. I didn't do that but lots to entertain with other stuff. .

Will be discharged about 10 tomorrow, spend 2 more days in Toronto at the Sheraton hotel just across the street then fly home.

Glad to hear you got it done Dean! I expect it to be huge life improvement for you sir… Heal well!

[gordfishing]

Originally Posted by Dean2

I rarely post private health or personal information, but there are so many people waiting in the 3 to 4 year queue for surgeries of all sorts I thought I would make an exception. If you can pursue the private option I highly recommend it.

Just out of hip surgery done privately. As I sit here on the edge of the bed at the Clear Point facility in Toronto I can say that the private pay option is the way to go if you can. T))Remember, the surgery, flights and accommodation are classed as a medical expense so are fully deductible on your taxes. Surgery is 28,000, business class fights for two so you have enough leg room 3500 (you can get medical forms filled out so you get better leg room in economy, as well as a bit of a break on your companions flight costs, so may want to explore that), hotels and food for two (Clear Point has a room deal with the Sheraton Airport across the steeet, 165 a night. Decent hotel, very good on site restaurant, bar, nearlby restaurants, good gym, pool etc. Full ammenities), 1500.

I arrived at 7 this morning. Fully prepped by 8, back in recovery room at 9. Zero issues except for fluctuating blood pressure that settled down by 10. No headache, dizziness or vomitting, anistetic wore off quickly and well. No pain to speak of, even now 10 hours later. My leg, even with the incision, hurts almost not at all, even walking and for sure WAY less that it did before surgery. Only pain killers are two Tylenol about every 4 hours.

Was up walking around at 3 and have taken 4 more short walks since then. Good range of motion in the fixed leg. They make me use a walker and go slow but I could easily walk without it. Can put full weight on the fixed leg and can sit upright on the edge of the bed, or stand unassisted.

Service and care has been spectacular. Dr Cayen is top notch amd does a ton of these surgeries. Nursing staff are attentive, friendly and have a sense of humour. So are the orderlies. Overnight recovery rooms are large and are private. They have tv but bring your signin passwwords for Prime Netflix etc as there is no cable or free tv. I didn't do that but lots to entertain with other stuff. .

Will be discharged about 10 tomorrow, spend 2 more days in Toronto at the Sheraton hotel just across the street then fly home.

Glad everything went as expected.
I had the same surgery at Clear Point Toronto too [May 2022]
You described everything to a T, sounds like they moved their office closer to the airport
My doc was Dr Sebastien Rodriguez [ nothing but great things to say about this doc]
Fortunately I could make it work and personally it was a quality of life change for me and my family
good luck to all that need support

[Ronji]

My friend recently had has knee done in Seattle. Spent 2 weeks there post op.

$30,000.00 all in.

He was not willing to wait 2+ years and have his life put on hold.
He was fortunate that he had the funds to get it done, but many people don't.

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by Ronji

My friend recently had has knee done in Seattle. Spent 2 weeks there post op.

$30,000.00 all in.

He was not willing to wait 2+ years and have his life put on hold.
He was fortunate that he had the funds to get it done, but many people don't.

I wonder what that same procedure would cost in Alberta and why the government is not sending people to other places if they cannot get it done here in a reasonable time frame?

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

I wonder what that same procedure would cost in Alberta and why the government is not sending people to other places if they cannot get it done here in a reasonable time frame?

It costs Alberta Health Care about 18,000 to do the same procedure. No reason they should not cover at least that much of a private job but that would be against our free, but useless health care model. Manitoba is actually paying for out of country joint replacement for quite a few on their waiting lists.

[KGB]

Because some of us who can afford the bill to pay for private surgeries go somewhere else, those who can’t afford it can stay here and advance in queue faster… It’s a win win situation for everyone. We need private health care like an oxygen! Sooner the better.

[Moe]

My buddy's brother-in-law couldn't wait anymore and got his hip replaced in Guadalajara, Mexico about 10 years ago. Went well and he's trucking around on the gold course and living well. Fraction of the cost.

[daveyn]

Originally Posted by KGB

Because some of us who can afford the bill to pay for private surgeries go somewhere else, those who can’t afford it can stay here and advance in queue faster… It’s a win win situation for everyone. We need private health care like an oxygen! Sooner the better.

not exactly correct, those in the queue who can't afford it continue to be bumped down in the queue by paying clients from other jurisdictions who come to Alberta and are done on a priority basis because it a bigger payday for the surgeon. Not a win win. Surgeon wins, paying customer from elsewhere wins, Alberta resident without resources continues to wait.

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by daveyn

not exactly correct, those in the queue who can't afford it continue to be bumped down in the queue by paying clients from other jurisdictions who come to Alberta and are done on a priority basis because it a bigger payday for the surgeon. Not a win win. Surgeon wins, paying customer from elsewhere wins, Alberta resident without resources continues to wait.

You are COMPLETELY wrong about that. I checked this out quite extensively. The major issue is not surgeon time or capacity. The big problem is lack of OR time, OR nurses as well as lack of recovery room and post operative capacity. The doctor that just did my surgery does dozens of private surgeries a week out of a private facility, between the few public paid surgeries he can do a week. It takes him about an hour per hip, hour and a half per knee. If he had access to OR time and recovery facilities he would do a ton more public surgery. There is a very god reason the private clincs have their own ORs, recovery rooms nurses, orderlies and physio staff. About half the staff i interacted with wwork full time in the puvlic system and part time at the privare facilty. Only a few were fuull time private only, and none of them were doxtors. The money is a bit better on the private side but that is not his main motivation.

The guys paying for their own work are definitely clearing space in line for others. The specialist consult time that came up for me in Nov this year, after 1 and a half years in the queue, which I bypassed by going private and got a private consult 4 weeks after I asked for one, went immediately to the next guy in line. I left my name on the list just to see how long it would take. I could have actually had the surgery privately 3 weeks after the consult but for my own reasons chose to wait 14 months. Big difference between choosing to wait and having no option but to wait 2 to 3 years. Especially went public is paying not a lot less than the private cost.

Coming home today, after surgery on the 29th. Still almost zero pain and someone esle will get surgery a whole bunch sooner on top of it.

[daveyn]

Originally Posted by Dean2

You are COMPLETELY wrong about that. I checked t.

Have to strongly disagree and I think I'm a lot closer to this than you are.
You are correct though in that the issue is not the surgeon and the issue is not the OR space, plenty of capacity there. One of the issues is support staff, primarily anesthesia. Surgeries are being cancelled and postponed due to lack of anesthesiologists. The private system does provide more OR space, but again, thats not the issue, there is plenty of OR capacity, its staff. I am personally aware of a number of ortho surgeons who are working basically part time in the public system and primarily working private clinics because it is much more lucrative. Same issue exists with ophthalmology and radiology, the private clinics pay better, have better hours and better working conditions. Ortho's would do knees and hips all day long in the private clinic if they didn't have to give up hospital OR privileges. Better pay , better hours never having to be "on call" on a weekend in the hospital. The only reason they stay in the public system is they do not want to give up OR privileges in the hospital. If you don't think personal gain is driving this trend then you put much more faith in the altruistic nature of medicine than they deserve. My experience is not from the patient side of the issue, its from the other side.

[Okotok]

A friend of mine had his done in Mexico. 25k USD but he got 8k CDN back from AHS.

[Dean2]

Daveyn

I was too strident when I said you were completely wrong. Like so very many other complicated things and issues, there are always many factors at work. What I think we can both agree on is the public system we have now isn't working well for anyone, despite a crap ton of money being spent. I would have much preferred to just use the system that I have paid so much tax into, and never gotten anything out of, but that really wasn't the way to get this fixed in any kind of a timely manner.

[Savage Bacon]

Dean, it's good to hear you're getting fixed up. It's kind of like bringing the old hot rod in for some new suspension.

You mentioned everything went well and quick.

Are there any pains starting to set in now? I've heard many times of things going well initially. Followed a day or two later by the real pain. Hopefully this isn't the case.

What are the plans now? Taking up dancing? Mountain climbing? Karate?

Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by Savage Bacon

Dean, it's good to hear you're getting fixed up. It's kind of like bringing the old hot rod in for some new suspension.

You mentioned everything went well and quick.

Are there any pains starting to set in now? I've heard many times of things going well initially. Followed a day or two later by the real pain. Hopefully this isn't the case.

What are the plans now? Taking up dancing? Mountain climbing? Karate?

Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

Surgery was the 29th of Nov, flew home yesterday Dec 2nd. Two hours at the airport and 4 on the plane plus one in the car from the airport home was a bit trying. Would have been a whole bunch less trying if I could have done this locally.

Still no real pain to speak of. The muscles got really stiff yesterday from so much sitting around, even with focusing on moving around fairly regularly too keep them looser. The first couple of days, 29th and 30th, they had me on 2 regular strength Tylenol every 4 hours, but it was more preventative than anything. I never did need any of the Delodid they supplied as part of the medication package. From Dec 1, I don't need to take any kind of pain meds, not even Tylenol, on a regular basis. If I start to get a twinge I will take one Tylenol and that pretty much takes care of it for the next 14 hours or so. Got to say I am greatly impressed but how well this went and how little discomfort I have. Biggest challenge right now is not over doing it. Physio lady was REALLY clear about the need to take it easy the first couple of weeks and not try to walk too far or too fast. She wants to see limis of 200 meters a day total first week, no more than 400 a day, second week.

My wife is really looking forward to us being able to go dancing again, it was something we both enjoyed a lot. Other bright spots are being able to travel so much more easily and get around out hunting better. I found it hard to go far this fall, plan to work hard to get back to my old form. Thanks for the good wishes.

[Savage Bacon]

Originally Posted by Dean2

Surgery was the 29th of Nov, flew home yesterday Dec 2nd. Two hours at the airport and 4 on the plane plus one in the car from the airport home was a bit trying. Would have been a whole bunch less trying if I could have done this locally.



Still no real pain to speak of. The muscles got really stiff yesterday from so much sitting around, even with focusing on moving around fairly regularly too keep them looser. The first couple of days, 29th and 30th, they had me on 2 regular strength Tylenol every 4 hours, but it was more preventative than anything. I never did need any of the Delodid they supplied as part of the medication package. From Dec 1, I don't need to take any kind of pain meds, not even Tylenol, on a regular basis. If I start to get a twinge I will take one Tylenol and that pretty much takes care of it for the next 14 hours or so. Got to say I am greatly impressed but how well this went and how little discomfort I have. Biggest challenge right now is not over doing it. Physio lady was REALLY clear about the need to take it easy the first couple of weeks and not try to walk too far or too fast. She wants to see limis of 200 meters a day total first week, no more than 400 a day, second week.



My wife is really looking forward to us being able to go dancing again, it was something we both enjoyed a lot. Other bright spots are being able to travel so much more easily and get around out hunting better. I found it hard to go far this fall, plan to work hard to get back to my old form. Thanks for the good wishes.

That's good to hear. Yes I bet the hardest and most uncomfortable part is just not doing anything for the recovery period. I bet you'll be glad when that's over.

Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

[HikingtheGalaxy]

hi guys, I came across this thread and feel compelled to reply, because I feel the private clinics are taking advantage of people's desperation and charging exorbitant amounts of money.

Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto will do hip replacements quickly (like within 3 months), and won't charge you at all (it'll be completely covered by Alberta health insurance). Of course you'll have to pay for your own flight and hotel stay. The referral link is below

https://sunnybrook.ca/content/?page=...-refer-patient

[gordfishing]

Originally Posted by HikingtheGalaxy

hi guys, I came across this thread and feel compelled to reply, because I feel the private clinics are taking advantage of people's desperation and charging exorbitant amounts of money.

Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto will do hip replacements quickly (like within 3 months), and won't charge you at all (it'll be completely covered by Alberta health insurance). Of course you'll have to pay for your own flight and hotel stay. The referral link is below

https://sunnybrook.ca/content/?page=...-refer-patient

Maybe your onto something , my neighbour went Sunnybrook a month after I went to clear point and yes AHS paid for her replacement
Certainly worth checking out

[prinny53]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Dam, I waited 18 months but that was during the covid era then it was in at 0600, surgery at 0800hrs up walking by the afternoon and they would have released me that day but decided to keep me until the morning....no issues other then me wanting to do too much.

Had the surgery in Edmonton, Dr. Panaro.

http://waittimes.alberta.ca/Speciali...sp?physID=6130

I had my knee done in 2010, back then my wait was 14 months. Got it done young, I was 39 at the time but it was and is life changing. If I ever need any other work done, Dr. Panaro will be who I will request. Top notch individual, top notch surgeon. 58thecat, I am glad you were able to have Carlo fix you up! You were in good hands!

[BloodHound70]

Originally Posted by prinny53

I had my knee done in 2010, back then my wait was 14 months. Got it done young, I was 39 at the time but it was and is life changing. If I ever need any other work done, Dr. Panaro will be who I will request. Top notch individual, top notch surgeon. 58thecat, I am glad you were able to have Carlo fix you up! You were in good hands!

I had him do my hip. He is awesome.

BH

[britman101]

Last week there was a video feed about a surgeon in Ontario who specializes in hip surgeries. They timed the length of his hip surgeries, and on average he can do one in 35 minutes. For the day of the taping he did 14 hip surgeries in one day, and all patients were discharged from the hospital that same day. His arguments are that hip surgeries can be done quicker, but there has to a dedicated surgical team, and the use of efficiencies in the OR to cut down on time spent in the OR. And I am sure they do the hip replacement surgery for less than $ 18, 000. I will try and find that video and post it in the next day or two.

[britman101]

And here is the link for the video:

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canad...es/vi-AA1leevh

Viewed it again and it is amazing what can be done if new perspectives and thinking are used in the surgical suite.

Big hint to Alberta politicians, no need to keep on tearing down the system to try and build a new one. Instead be open to new ideas and be receptive to put them into action. The big winner will be the healthcare system and patients who need surgical care.

[ozzysoil]

Just a quick reply on my original post.
I just got back from Clearpoint surgical in Toronto
I had a hip replacement on feb 6 was up walking same day
Got released next day. Was walking fine with walker went out for supper in an Uber with the wife that night. Flew home on the 10 th. Have virtually no pain other than some stiffness in my thigh from where they moved muscles to get at the hip. Last night 5 days after surgery I ditched the walker and am moving around with cane with no issues.
I would highly recommend Clearpoint and especially Dr Sebastian Rodreguiz for a hip replacement.
If I wouldn’t have went private I would have been waiting at least another 2 years .I was barely getting around with a cane before surgery & I’m pretty sure I would have been in a wheelchair in the next few months. Our health system needs a real work over it so messed up.

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by ozzysoil

Just a quick reply on my original post.
I just got back from Clearpoint surgical in Toronto
I had a hip replacement on feb 6 was up walking same day
Got released next day. Was walking fine with walker went out for supper in an Uber with the wife that night. Flew home on the 10 th. Have virtually no pain other than some stiffness in my thigh from where they moved muscles to get at the hip. Last night 5 days after surgery I ditched the walker and am moving around with cane with no issues.
I would highly recommend Clearpoint and especially Dr Sebastian Rodreguiz for a hip replacement.
If I wouldn’t have went private I would have been waiting at least another 2 years .I was barely getting around with a cane before surgery & I’m pretty sure I would have been in a wheelchair in the next few months. Our health system needs a real work over it so messed up.

Glad to hear it went so good. Pretty much mirrors my experience with them. So much easier to walk and get around than before the surgery. Ten weeks after surgery and I can get around just great. Apparently it takes another couple of months to be totally healed but hurts not at all compared to before surgery.