CJRR annual report: Hip and knee replacements in Canada, 2021–2022

Key links

Report: Hip and Knee Replacements in Canada: CJRR Annual Report, 2021–2022 (PDF)

Information sheet: Hip Replacements in Canada: Information for People Living With Osteoarthritis (PDF)

Information sheet: Knee Replacements in Canada: Information for People Living With Osteoarthritis (PDF)

Other editions: CJRR annual report — Series

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September 28, 2023 — In 2021–2022, more than 117,000 hip and knee replacements were performed in Canada, which is 5.9% more compared with the previous year, but still lower than the annual number performed before the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, more than $1.26 billion was spent on hospital costs (including physician costs and excluding rehabilitation), compared with $1.20 billion in 2020–2021.

The shift toward more replacements being performed as day surgeries continued with more than 14,700 performed in 2021–2022, which is double compared with the previous year. Day surgeries require fewer hospital resources, and the estimated average hospital cost was 30% lower than for inpatient surgeries ($9,387 versus $12,402).

This year’s annual report examines trends, patient characteristics and outcomes for hip and knee replacements performed as day surgeries, and includes a section on patient-reported outcome measures.

Read the report to learn more.

Key findings

In the past 3 years, approximately 91,600 fewer surgeries were performed than the number expected based on average annual volume increases observed before the pandemic.
In 2021–2022, 15.6% of hip and knee replacements done to treat osteoarthritis were performed as day surgeries, compared with 8.2% in 2020–2021, 1.9% in 2019–2020 and 0.7% in 2018–2019.
Based on data from Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta, many patients showed gains in their self-reported outcomes and responded that they felt satisfied 1 year after their hip or knee replacement, which shows the effectiveness of these surgeries at improving mobility and quality of life.

Featured materials

Annual report

Explore the latest information on hip and knee replacements in Canada, including patient demographics, surgical statistics, costs, patient-reported outcomes, data tables and revision risk curves.

Download the report (PDF)

Hip Replacements in Canada: Information for People Living With Osteoarthritis

Hip replacement surgeries can improve mobility and quality of life for many people. They can be especially helpful for people who have spent years managing severe pain from osteoarthritis.

Download the PDF

Knee Replacements in Canada: Information for People Living With Osteoarthritis

Knee replacement surgeries can improve mobility and quality of life for many people. They can be especially helpful for people who have spent years managing severe pain from osteoarthritis.

Download the PDF