Honest answers to your biggest questions.

No. Private hip and knee replacement is a privately funded service — you pay out of pocket and it is not covered by AHCIP.

Equivalent surgery is available publicly at no direct cost through the Alberta public system. Choosing private surgery does not affect your AHCIP coverage for anything else.

You'll receive a written, itemized quote at consultation that breaks the cost into surgeon, facility, anaesthesia, and implant components — so you can see exactly what you're paying for before deciding.

You're not asked to commit on the day. Take the quote home, ask questions, and proceed only if it's right for you.

Once you're medically cleared and have decided to proceed, private surgery is typically measured in weeks rather than months. The exact timing depends on facility scheduling, any pre-operative optimisation you may need, and your own preferred date.

Most hip and knee replacements are done under spinal anaesthesia (you're numb from the waist down) combined with sedation, often supported by a regional nerve block for comfort afterwards. General anaesthesia is also available when it's the better choice. You'll meet your anaesthesiologist before surgery and the plan will be tailored to you.

Registering your interest is not a commitment. It lets our team contact you to learn a bit about your situation, schedule a consultation when appropriate, and walk you through your options. You can stop at any step.

A typical quote includes: pre-operative consultation, the operation itself, anaesthesia and operating-room care, your implant, routine post-operative follow-up with your surgeon, and standard in-facility recovery care.

Outpatient physiotherapy, prescription medications, mobility aids, and any travel or time off work are usually separate. Your written quote will spell out exactly what is and isn't included for your case.

Modern hip and knee replacement is one of the most successful operations in medicine. Most patients are satisfied with their result, and serious complications are uncommon — but no operation is risk-free.

We've put together a detailed, honest page covering the risks, how likely each one is, and what we do to keep yours low. Read about risks & safety →

Most adults with significant hip or knee arthritis that limits daily life are potential candidates. The right call depends on your imaging, your overall health, what you've already tried, and your goals. That's exactly what the consultation is for — and if surgery isn't the right next step yet, we'll tell you so.