Knee Replacement

[dodger]

Hi All.
Just wondering how long of a process did it take from the family doctor requesting replacement until the actual surgery. this is for the Calgary area. I'm just thinking of trying my best to time this to not loose any summer fishing.

Thanks Dodger.

[58thecat]

Well your doctor recommends and puts it out to surgeons, one or two will respond and accept your application, then the Waite for consultation 3-6 months after that put yourself on the cancelation list to hopefully speed things up if someone ahead of you cancels, you will have a wait time after the consultation up to another 12 months or so....so basically wait time 18 months due to the back log of these surgeries but I have heard of faster timelines....good luck.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Some smaller centre hospitals are doing knee surgery in about half the time. Otherwise the 18 months already mentioned is about normal in major city hospitals. However with Kenney cutting back a couple $billion from health care budget any guess what future wait times will be like in Alberta.

[Grizzly Adams]

Good Luck with the waiting time. Wife had it done, was over a year at the time, but she had both done at the same time. Not the easiest way to do it, but over and worth and it. Out of bed and hobbling down the hall, a couple of hours late. You have to be tough to get best results

Grizz

[Offwork]

58 described the process very well. Understand there may be a somewhat shorter time wait in some centres with hospital surgery scheduling being the factor. In Grande Prairie it takes around a year from surgeons approval. I would not look for an alternative surgery place too far from home, as you will need some good pain killing drugs for the trip from hospital after surgery.

I have had a knee and hip replaced and am on the wait list for replacement of other knee. On the hip they called me early, after about 6 mths wait, to fill a cancellation. Had to decision yes or no the same day with surgery in 3 weeks. That worked well for me. Hip surgery recovery was much easier than knee. Maybe less moving parts to deal with, maybe I was able to deal with the situation better.

Work hard at the rehab and you will be happy with the results.

Good luck.

[dmac]

Wife had it done in Ontario, total wait time was four months from diagnosis to surgery. Rehab was provincially covered for 12 sessions as part of the surgical program. 18 months is a long time to wait.

[hal53]

Originally Posted by Big Grey Wolf

Some smaller centre hospitals are doing knee surgery in about half the time. Otherwise the 18 months already mentioned is about normal in major city hospitals. However with Kenney cutting back a couple $billion from health care budget any guess what future wait times will be like in Alberta.

Please explain how a slight increase in the healthcare budget becomes" a couple billion $ cut" in your mind?

[dodger]

Thanks guys. I’m going to try and plan the 18 month scenario. If I miss one weekend of summer fishing I’m a grumpy bear.

GOOD LUCK CATCHING

Dodger.

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by hal53

Please explain how a slight increase in the healthcare budget becomes" a couple billion $ cut" in your mind?

I was wondering the same thing?

[ssyd]

Originally Posted by hal53

Please explain how a slight increase in the healthcare budget becomes" a couple billion $ cut" in your mind?

https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/here-are...fees-1.4820838

Complex modifiers: These fees would mandate more time be spent with patients with complex needs, 25 minutes instead of 15, before an extra fee would kick in. This plan will be phased in next year. For this year, the complex modifier can still be charged at the 15-minute benchmark, but will pay $9 instead of $18. The Alberta Medical Association, or AMA, says these changes could limit services, lead to physicians focusing on non-complex patients and bankrupt some rural and family offices.

Diagnostic imaging referrals: There will be no more payments for diagnostic imaging referrals by uninsured practitioners, including chiropractors and physical therapists. Only those providing publicly funded services will be paid for referrals. The AMA has urged further consultation on this, as it could lead to longer wait times for tests.

Patient visits: The province will pay to maximum of 65 patients a day, to ensure physicians are not fatigued and patient care is not compromised. The cap applies to office visits, not hospital visits, and rural offices are exempt. The AMA has said this kind of cookie-cutter approach won't work, given that visits vary based on geography and speciality.

[elk eater]

My Grandmother god rest her sole got the go ahead in Edmonton to have both knees replaced. Original time line was 2 years to have both done. Problem is the Doctors didn’t count on the tenacity of a 87 year old woman with nothing to do but call and harass the office. The squeaky wheel got the grease and both were done in 6 months !!!! Amazing recovery for a woman that age. Lived to 93rd Bday and passed away same day she born and still walking !!!!

[tallieho]

https://www.albertahealthservices.ca...spx?id=1005755
I found this .Simply put.I have been on a so called waiting list for almost 2 years .With the outfit based out of Gulf Canada in Calgary. So to get a better idea on times,all over the prov.Click on the hospital. Good luck

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by elk eater

My Grandmother god rest her sole got the go ahead in Edmonton to have both knees replaced. Original time line was 2 years to have both done. Problem is the Doctors didn’t count on the tenacity of a 87 year old woman with nothing to do but call and harass the office. The squeaky wheel got the grease and both were done in 6 months !!!! Amazing recovery for a woman that age. Lived to 93rd Bday and passed away same day she born and still walking !!!!

You'd better have Grit to get good results, surgery is just the mechanical part.



Grizz

[Don Andersen]

Got a quote for a private knee replacement.
Surgeons operated in the US and Ontario. Surgery was $45,000. The expenses such as hospital care, transportation and rehab added a further $30,000.

Don

[Ice Fishing Maniac]

My mom just had her knee replacement surgery in Calgary on Thursday. Was close to about 20-22 months.

I leave Monday to go help her at home for a week. Good this my one sister was there since the surgery , she works at a hip and knee replacement clinic in Edmonton so she knows the right questions to ask.

[dodger]

Originally Posted by Don Andersen

Got a quote for a private knee replacement.
Surgeons operated in the US and Ontario. Surgery was $45,000. The expenses such as hospital care, transportation and rehab added a further $30,000.

Don

Ouch! That’s a lot of fishing gear I could buy.

Dodger.

[dodger]

Originally Posted by Ice Fishing Maniac

My mom just had her knee replacement surgery in Calgary on Thursday. Was close to about 20-22 months.

I leave Monday to go help her at home for a week. Good this my one sister was there since the surgery , she works at a hip and knee replacement clinic in Edmonton so she knows the right questions to ask.

Good info, THX.

Dodger.

[buzzard]

Just had my second one done 13 hrs ago. Been up walking bearing full weight.
I expect to be let out today from hospital. Anyway my knee pain started with 15 years of appointments etc before surgery for first knee. Every specialist I seen told me wait you're too young wait wait!! Once the first knee was done, the second went fast. Doc said I was in his system and wood push me to the top.

[58thecat]

Buzz hope ya mend well.

[calgarygringo]

I need both mie done as well. Some days very painful, some I can hardly walk sometimes not as bad. I have done all the steps other than booking a date. Surgeon says I am a bit young and advises to wait a few more years if possible but my choice. Some days I want to book it and on my good days I say I can wait a bit. Not sure when I say enough is enough but at least all the prelim stuff is done and just the sugery wait time to deal with when I do.

Originally Posted by buzzard

Just had my second one done 13 hrs ago. Been up walking bearing full weight.
I expect to be let out today from hospital. Anyway my knee pain started with 15 years of appointments etc before surgery for first knee. Every specialist I seen told me wait you're too young wait wait!! Once the first knee was done, the second went fast. Doc said I was in his system and wood push me to the top.

[dodger]

Originally Posted by buzzard

Just had my second one done 13 hrs ago. Been up walking bearing full weight.
I expect to be let out today from hospital. Anyway my knee pain started with 15 years of appointments etc before surgery for first knee. Every specialist I seen told me wait you're too young wait wait!! Once the first knee was done, the second went fast. Doc said I was in his system and wood push me to the top.

Thanks for the comment. What's considered to young?

Dodger.

[HoytCRX32]

Had my right knee done (total knee replacement) last August. Blew it out playing rugby in '83 and subsequently had 1 menisectomy, 1 complete ACL reconstruction and and 7 arthroscopic surgeries on it. In the end it was bone on bone grinding...couldn't walk 250 meters without terrible pain, let alone try to get down to a stream to fly-fish or take on a good still hunt.
Now I am walking without any pain and can't wait to actually be able to fly fish the streams around my cabin.
The key (as Grizz mentioned) is to DO THE PRESCRIBED EXERCISES! You need to work the new knee to get full range of motion. The first couple of weeks is the worst, then it gets progressively better.
As for timing, I waited 6 months after my doctor's referral to actually get in and see the orthopaedic surgeon, and another 9 months to get the actual surgery. Well worth the wait and definitely worth the effort!

[buzzard]

Good question.It be nice to not live in pain. Use the new joint while you still can,
I was 60 with my first. I was really reluctant to bet my second one done. Like was said before, some days painfull and some no pain at all.it is a real tough call.

[calgarygringo]

In my case I am 63 and the issue is these bionic knees only last so long. He claimed plan on 15 years maybe more maybe less but at my age puts me mid 70's only which by todays standards is not that old. He ssid they can do a second replace but prefer not to and is more difficult to do and more painful for me. Said it is my choice but if I can hang in there I can maybe get it done once and hopefully it would take me to the end of my major part of my life.

Originally Posted by dodger

Thanks for the comment. What's considered to young?

Dodger.

[HoytCRX32]

I'm 59 and held out(using a knee brace) as long as I could ...My doctor said 20+ years with the replacement. I would rather have 20 years of (relatively) good knee while I am young enough than wait until other ailments/aches/pains that come with aging stop me from doing the things I love.

[Scottmisfits]

A guy I work with had his done in about 2 months, start of process to having his surgery yesterday. I have heard of others being that 18-24 months mentioned above, including another work mate.
Depends on the doctor's recommendations I guess, how bad it is, etc.

[308 man]

I have a bad hip but at 83 trying to avoid surgery did buy the Dr Ho seems to work use in the morning good for the day as long as I don't walk to far or try running can go 1 mile on the tread mill with just a little pain so it might be something others can try. could ease the pain while waiting for your time to be called for the operation.

[Offwork]

Just talked to a fellow resident in our park in Mesa AZ, who had his hip replaced early Dec 2019. He is walking well and has no more pain so considers the operation a very big success. This man is 82 years old and feels very fortunate to have a good insurance plan as the operation was at no cost to him.

Cost of the hip replacement was $110,000.

He also advised the Cost of a heart attach and by pass surgery 15 years ago was $500,000. Paid by insurance after $2,000 deductible.

While USA has wonderful hospital facilities and excellent surgical procedures and both available with very little wait time there is cost to be paid.

I am expecting a call this spring on the date for my second knee replacement. Had hip replaced 2 years ago.

As stated by many but worth repeating, take the pain medication so you can follow th4ough with all the rehab exercises, which as they are the key ingredient to successful recovery.

[skain11]

My brother is under the knife this morning in Cranbrook for his first knee replacement. I was bugging him as he was skiing on Monday albeit with a $1500 brace but it has been painful and degenerating for the past 30 years ever since he dislocated it in a softball game . I have had the consult but was diagnosed as a medium in severity so holding off for now. Mine's not that painful everyday just need to be careful and of course keep taking the miracle cure as prescribed to me as such "lose some weight big guy".