I do know that Ontario’s MRI machines are running 24 hours a day due to the demand and depending on your situation you could wait up to 6 months, again sig less than the 18 months reported here.
Just offering a personal experience on this one . . . Ian was booked to get an MRI on his knee (so not life-threatening, but certainly something that pained him every day) - booked the appointment in May . . . and the MRI was scheduled for the following June, 13 months later, at 8:30 pm, 185 km away. A month before it was due, he got a call pushing it out a month longer. So he waited just over 14 months in total.
My dad had been having some knee problems over the last year. Finally, around the last week of November, his knee 'went out'. He was in a lot of pain, but could walk a little. He saw a doctor two days later, got an MRI (again two days later), and three weeks later was able to get the surgery he needed. His condition was certainly not life threatening, but it did greatly affect his quality of life.
So, in the Canadian health-care system - how long would it take to see a specialist, get an MRI and then get an operation?
Depends on where you are and if you want to pay. I know a friend and his 12 yr old son had knee problems from a football game. He seemed to get care rather quickly, probably 3-4 weeks to get referred to a ortho specialist to get an mri, but the surgery wait was going to be a couple months, so he went to another hospital an hour away in Banff. The surgeon there does all the knees for the national ski team and international skiiers regard him well also.
I have heard of other older neighbours experiences with getting knee replacements that took longer. I think its a priority basis in some cases where a 60 year old with a limp isnt as much a priority as a 12 yr old that is still growing who needs ACL surgery.
The other option is there is a private clinic in the city that is run by surgeons with priviliges at local hospitals. Also there is a private MRI facility. If you wanted, you could pay for your MRI and knee surgery here in Calgary if you wanted.
