If you’re considering hip or knee care in Calgary, the Calgary Hip and Knee Clinic connects you with specialized orthopedic surgeons, coordinated care pathways, and options for both surgical and non-surgical treatment. You’ll learn how the clinic manages referrals, wait times, and the kinds of procedures and assessments commonly offered so you can decide whether it fits your needs.
The clinic offers focused hip and knee assessment and treatment through a team of orthopedic specialists, with pathways that aim to streamline referral, consultation, and surgery planning. Expect information on services, what to expect during visits, and how patients typically move from assessment to recovery.
Calgary Hip and Knee Clinic Services
You can expect focused assessment, a range of surgical options, and structured rehabilitation tailored to hip and knee conditions. Services emphasize evidence-based care, multidisciplinary input, and clear recovery plans.
Comprehensive Orthopedic Assessments
You will receive a detailed history and physical exam targeted to your hip or knee complaint, including pain pattern, functional limitations, and prior treatments. Clinicians perform joint-specific tests (range of motion, stability, gait) and review imaging such as weight-bearing X-rays, MRI, or CT when needed to confirm diagnosis.
Assessment often includes standardized outcome measures — for example, pain scores and function questionnaires — so you can track progress and make treatment decisions. A multidisciplinary team (orthopedic surgeons, RNs, physiotherapists) reviews results to create a treatment plan that may be conservative or surgical based on severity, comorbidities, and your activity goals.
Surgical Procedures and Techniques
If surgery is indicated, you can expect options like total hip replacement, total knee replacement, partial knee replacement, and arthroscopic procedures for cartilage or meniscal issues. Surgeons at specialized clinics commonly use cemented or cementless implants for hips, and patient-specific instrumentation or computer-assisted alignment for knees to improve implant positioning.
Minimally invasive approaches and perioperative protocols aim to reduce blood loss and speed recovery. Your surgeon will discuss anesthesia type, implant choices, expected hospital stay, and risks such as infection or stiffness. Clear preoperative instructions and consent discussions ensure you understand expected outcomes and timelines.
Post-Operative Rehabilitation
Your rehabilitation plan starts immediately after surgery with early mobilization, usually within 24 hours, to reduce complications and restore function. Physiotherapy focuses on gait training, progressive strengthening, range-of-motion exercises, and activities of daily living tailored to hip or knee procedures.
Rehab phases:
- Early (0–2 weeks): pain control, wound care, basic mobility.
- Intermediate (2–8 weeks): strength, balance, walking distance.
- Advanced (8+ weeks): return to work, sport-specific conditioning.
You’ll get home-exercise programs, outpatient physiotherapy referrals, and milestones to monitor (e.g., stair navigation, walking independently). The team adjusts rehabilitation for complications, stiffness, or delayed progress to help you reach functional goals.
Patient Experience at Calgary Hip and Knee Clinic
You will find a structured pathway from first contact through follow-up care, with emphasis on timely assessment, clear communication, and tailored treatment options. Staff coordinate imaging, specialist input, and scheduling to minimize delays and keep you informed.
Initial Consultation Process
When you book your initial visit, expect an intake that confirms your medical history, symptoms, and prior imaging. The clinic often asks you to bring recent X-rays or MRIs; if you don’t have them, they arrange or advise on where to obtain appropriate imaging.
A nurse or clinic coordinator typically completes pre-visit forms by phone or online to save time. At the consultation you meet an orthopedic surgeon who conducts a focused physical exam and reviews imaging. The surgeon explains findings directly, discusses non-surgical options first when appropriate, and outlines next steps such as injections, physiotherapy, or surgical assessment.
Practical details covered include estimated wait times for procedures, perioperative expectations, and points of contact for questions. You’ll receive clear written or electronic instructions about any required pre-op testing or referrals.
Personalized Treatment Planning
The clinic develops treatment plans based on your diagnosis, activity goals, and overall health. Surgeons tailor choices like conservative management, arthroscopic procedures, or specific implant options for hip or knee replacement according to your anatomy and lifestyle.
You receive a care pathway that lists recommended interventions and timelines. Typical elements include physiotherapy prescriptions, pain-management strategies, and expected recovery milestones. If surgery is recommended, the plan names the procedure, proposed implant type where applicable, anesthesia considerations, and a tentative surgery date.
The team coordinates with physiotherapists and occupational therapists to create a rehabilitation schedule. You’ll get instructions on mobility aids, home preparation, and return-to-activity guidance so you know what to expect week by week.
Insurance and Referral Information
Referrals: You usually need a referral from your family physician or another specialist for a public-system consultation, though private access options exist for faster appointments. Confirm with the clinic which referral details are required to avoid booking delays.
Insurance: The clinic accepts patients under Alberta Health Services for public procedures and also manages private-pay options for faster access to consults and elective surgery. If you have supplemental insurance, bring policy details and pre-authorization numbers when relevant.
Costs and coverage: Expect the clinic to provide a cost outline for private services, including surgeon fees, facility charges, and implant costs if applicable. The administrative team helps verify coverage, submit claims, and explain any out-of-pocket estimates so you can make informed decisions.
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