If you have moderate to severe hip or knee osteoarthritis, you can be assessed through our Rapid Access Clinic (RAC). At the RAC, a specially trained team will review your needs and recommend surgical or non-surgical treatment options.
If you don't need surgery at this time, we will support you in best managing your condition in the community.
If surgery is required, you can choose between your preferred surgeon and the next surgeon available. Please note that after your RAC assessment, it may be several months before you are able to see a surgeon. You will be prioritized based on the severity of your injury. Here is some helpful information about what to expect before, during and after surgery:
Before surgery |
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Prehab education class |
Our surgical and rehabilitation programs provide a “prehab” education class to educate both patients and their care partners as they prepare for an upcoming total joint surgery. The class is a 60-minute group session with time for a question and answer period. It is separate from your pre-anaesthesia clinic appointment and is scheduled one to two months before your surgery. Classes are led by a physiotherapy assistant who will:
This class is virtual and is offered multiple times each week. Once your surgical date is confirmed, the rehabilitation department will call you to arrange a class date and time that is most convenient for you. |
Surgery |
At Osler, we offer different surgical options based on your needs. We have traditionally offered hip replacements using lateral and posterior approaches, with excellent results. As of 2018, we also began offering the Direct Anterior Approach (DAA) for all hip replacements. The benefits of this approach as compared to lateral and posterior approaches include:
Your surgeon will work with you to find the method that's best for you. |
Post-op outpatient rehabilitation |
Our post-operative (post-op) hip and knee programs offer effective, patient-centred care after a total hip or knee joint replacement. Knee replacement rehabilitationPatients are given their first appointment within seven to ten days of their surgery.
You will be assessed by a physiotherapist, then booked into a “knee class.” These classes:
Exercises are monitored to progress appropriately. After the program, you be able to independently continue a home exercise program. Hip replacement rehabilitation In our hip rehabilitation program, you will work one-on-one with a physiotherapist.
In this program:
You will have two to four visits over a three-month period to improve your range of motion, strength, and function. Our goal is to help you become independent so you can manage your daily activities. TransportationYou will need to arrange for transportation to your outpatient physiotherapy appointment. If you are applying for Transhelp (Peel Region) or Wheeltrans (Toronto), applications can take 14 days to be processed. Please note that Section C of the application must be completed by a regulated health care professional. |