Hip Replacement abroad for Canadians – 2-week package with daily physio in Poland for 60% Canadian price
Osteoarthritis in the hip, and the dreaded “bone on bone” condition, can truly make life miserable. The constant pain interferes with daily tasks, prevents you from enjoying activities, and even wakes you up at night. You’ve already tried injections, physical therapy, and other treatments, but the X-ray leaves no doubt — you need a total hip replacement performed in Canada. However, your consultant has regretfully informed you that the earliest you can expect surgery is in two years. You know that by then, the pain will be unbearable, and you simply won’t be able to cope any longer.
Waiting times for a hip replacement in Canada:
Waiting times for hip replacement surgery in Canada can be a real source of frustration for many patients. Officially, the benchmark wait time is 182 days for both hip and knee replacements. However, based on conversations with numerous patients, it has become clear that the reality is far more challenging. Many are forced to wait much longer than the recommended times, which adds significant stress and prolongs the pain.
The effects of the pandemic have made things even worse. Over the past three years, approximately 91,600 fewer hip and knee replacements were performed than expected, disrupting what was once a more predictable system. Recent data from CIHI highlights that nearly half of patients are now waiting longer than they should. In fact, 43% of those needing hip replacements and 50% of knee replacement patients waited beyond the recommended 6-month timeframe. Before the pandemic, these figures were notably lower, with just 25% and 30% waiting longer than the benchmark.
Cost of a private hip replacement in Canada:
The current situation is leaving many patients in limbo, struggling with pain while facing extended delays for much-needed surgery. This reality has pushed many to explore alternative options for quicker treatment, often outside of Canada. Of course, your first thought would be to try private hip replacement in Canada – but as soon as you learn the costs, you think of exploring also the medical travel options.
While private healthcare offers an alternative for those seeking quicker solutions, the costs can be prohibitively high for many. Private clinics across Canada promote the enticing possibility of receiving surgery within weeks, bypassing the long waiting periods often experienced through provincial health plans. However, this convenience comes with a hefty price tag — a single hip or knee replacement can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $28,000, depending on the clinic.
For some, this option may feel like the only way to regain their mobility and quality of life without enduring months, or even years, of debilitating pain. Yet, for others, these costs are simply out of reach. The steep expense of private care leaves many patients feeling trapped, unable to afford immediate treatment, but equally unable to manage their worsening condition as they wait for publicly funded surgery. This stark choice highlights the ongoing challenges within the healthcare system, where timely access to life-changing procedures can seem unattainable for many.
Canadians going to Poland for a private hip replacement
But you still have another choice with no compromise on healthcare level. Have you ever thought about going for a hip replacement from Canada to Poland?
Did you know, that for a cost of approximately 15 710 Canadian Dollars you can have a 14-days stay in the hospital, in an en-suite room and full a la carte board, surgery, high quality implant, and daily physio? It makes it 60% of the surgery cost in Canada itself, not mentioning the benefit from continuing the physiotherapy program with a specialist for two weeks.
There are some people who have already chosen this path.
We have recorded a talk with Helen, who flew from Canada to Poland for her total hip replacement surgery:
The podcast transcript is at the bottom of the page.
How, as a Canadian, can I organise having my hip replacement done in Poland?
You might be wondering how to get to Poland from Canada and how to organise everything – qualification, surgery, travel. Don’t worry, we will help you with all steps of the way.
There are direct flights from Toronto to Warsaw by LOT Polish Airlines, and then a connecting 1-hour flight to Katowice, where the hospital is located. You can book the free-of-charge service “special assistance”, where the airport staff member will accompany you through the airport duties, such as luggage check-in, passport control etc. You will be collected from the airport by one of our drivers, and he will take you directly to the hospital. There, our staff will take care of you.
Quick Free Consultation - Hip Replacement Surgery Abroad
Learn more about the Total Care Hip Replacement Package in our private clinic
Our Patients’ Testimonials
OUTSTANDING
I have just returned from my stay at the hospital after having hip surgery and I cannot praise the hospital and it’s wonderful staff enough!
The level of care and expertise was way beyond my expectations and every member of staff added to my recovery.
From my initial contact with Maja, I knew I was making the right decision. Maja is brilliant at her job!
Everything went so smoothly, from being picked up at the airport and taken to the hospital at 2am (flight was delayed), meeting the surgeon, anaesthetist and having X-rays and blood tests and then being operated on.
The nurses were so friendly and caring and always went that extra mile!
The en-suite room was kept immaculate by the lovely cleaner.
Lukasz and Tom, the physio therapists were amazing and so knowledgeable and I had physio everyday, which benefitted my recovery enormously!
I would not hesitate to recommend this hospital to anyone. The word hospital conjures up a cold clinical building but at Sanvimed, this is definitely not the case! There is a warm, family feeling throughout and the patients are included in this warmth.
First class!!
Julie
I flew from Bali alone to Poland for hip replacement surgery & very happy I did! They have an excellent team of surgeons & nurses that treated me like family. Thanks again Maja & crew!
Quick Free Consultation - Hip Replacement Surgery Abroad
Interview with Helen who came to Poland for a hip replacement from Canada. Transcript:
Maja: Good afternoon, Helen.
Helen: Good afternoon, Maja. Thank you so much for agreeing to record this interview podcast or voice interview.
Maja: I thought it would be amazing to ask a few questions because you came all the way from Canada.
Helen: Yes, and I would love to help out in any way, shape, or form because this has been an amazing experience.
Maja: Oh wow, that’s wonderful to hear. So maybe the first question: how did you find us here in Poland, especially since you have places like Mexico, which specializes in medical tourism, or possibly facilities in the US as well?
Helen: Well, I did an internet search, obviously a Google Search, and I started looking at what Mexico offered and what was included. The US was an option, but you’re often taken in for one day, overnight, and then sent back, which I didn’t want.
Maja: And how does the private service work in Canada?
Helen: They don’t. They don’t allow it. They send you outside of Canada.
Maja: Oh, interesting.
Helen: Yes, there are groups that make arrangements for you, but you still can’t have it done in Canada.
Maja: It’s quite a fair system for those who live there, but on the other hand, it seems very limiting and inconvenient.
Helen: Exactly. As I started doing internet searches, I found that the services offered in Poland were far beyond what I expected. Everything was all-encompassing: help with getting there, making arrangements, looking after you while you’re there, and making sure you have rehab afterward. These are things I didn’t get when I had my knee done in Canada.
Maja: Yes, because you’ve had some experience with that.
Helen: Exactly, and I was really putting off getting my hip done because of that bad experience. But it’s a good thing I came because if I’d waited much longer, I would have been in really bad shape.
Maja: Yes, sometimes it’s better not to wait until things get worse with the hip because it can lead to back or knee problems.
Helen: Absolutely. The waiting period in Canada, especially after COVID, has become ridiculous. Surgeries keep getting pushed back, and you might get a surgery date for two years from now if you’re lucky.
Maja: That’s tough. So, what encouraged you was the package that included rehabilitation and the stay?
Helen: Yes, and now I’m about 11 days post-op.
Maja: Something like that—nine, ten days?
Helen: Yes, I’ve lost count!
Maja: You’ll be leaving Poland in the next few days. It’ll be quite a journey since, as far as I know, you’ll fly from Katowice to Warsaw, then to Toronto, and then have a domestic flight home. How are you feeling now? Do you think it was worth having the rehab package, and are you afraid of the travel?
Helen: I’m no more afraid of traveling home than I was of coming here. The pain going home will be localized to the incision area, whereas when I came, the pain was much more widespread.
Maja: Did you use special assistance on the way here?
Helen: Yes, I had to.
Maja: How was that experience? Did it help?
Helen: Of course it helped—once I actually got it! The issue in Canada is that different airlines work with different companies for special assistance. You’ve got one airline going, “I don’t know who’s supposed to help,” and you’re standing there wondering what’s going on. But once I got to Poland, everyone was absolutely the most helpful.
Maja: That’s great to hear.
Helen: Yes, and when I arrived in Katowice, the gentleman who picked me up from my flight was just a gem. He helped me get on the bus, helped with my luggage, took me through customs, and met the driver you had sent to pick me up. Everything went smoothly.
Maja: I hope the Canadian part will be more helpful on your return.
Helen: Well, as long as they know they’re supposed to help, things should be fine.
Maja: And how would you compare the costs associated with the package, including rehab, compared to having the operation in Canada?
Helen: If I went through the US, just the operation alone—not including flights, accommodations, or rehab—would have cost over $25,000 US. But here, everything came in under $20,000 Canadian, including flights and hotels.
Maja: Wow, that’s quite a difference!
Helen: Yes, it’s not a direct comparison, but still, the value here is incredible.
Maja: So, do you feel ready to go home now? Do you have any advice for Canadian patients who might be considering treatment in Poland but are worried about the distance, cultural differences, or language barriers?
Helen: The language barrier isn’t an issue at all. Almost everyone in Poland speaks English, and even if someone doesn’t, they will find someone who can help.
Maja: That’s great to hear.
Helen: And as far as making arrangements, don’t be afraid to use your company because it’s all very real and well-organized.
Maja: Thank you for that! I really admire patients like you who are brave enough to make the decision to travel abroad for treatment. It’s a huge decision.
Helen: Well, for me, the choice was either to stay and be in pain or to go and get it done.
Maja: Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Helen.
Helen: Thank you.
Soures for the article:(access 2.10.2024):
https://www.cihi.ca/en/wait-times-for-priority-procedures-in-canada-2022
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/private-surgery-hip-knee-replacement-1.6741461
https://www.cihi.ca/sites/default/files/document/hip-knee-replacements-in-canada-cjrr-annual-report-2021-2022-en.pdf
