Our clinics provide a central intake and standardized referral process for patients who are potential candidates for elective total hip or knee replacement surgery, also known as arthroplasty. An intake team triages referrals based on appropriateness, medical fitness, and urgency.
A referring physician or nurse practitioner and patient can choose their preferred surgeon or the next available surgeon, which can help reduce the wait time for an appointment. Patients who are a surgical candidate are provided with pre-operative education and support to ensure they are in optimal health and to reduce the risk of complications.
Our Surgeons
Our current team of orthopedic surgeons include:
- Dr. J. Dunwoody
- Dr. P. Grunau (Knee referrals only)
- Dr. P. Kokan
- Dr. T. Kostamo
- Dr. M. Nitikman
- Dr. T. Stone
- Dr. D. Viskontas
Before Surgery
Before deciding to have surgery, review the following resources to guide you in your decision and to get ready for surgery:
- Before, During and After Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery – A Patient’s Guide (Available in Punjabi, Persian, Traditional and Simplified Chinese upon request)
- Check out this article related to our clinic and watch the videos about one of our knee replacement recipients (found at the end of the article.)
Surgical Wait Times
Your wait time can vary; most people are offered a surgical date within 12-14 months after signing the consent form for surgery. There may be additional tests and appointments to attend prior to your surgery. Please ensure you’ve completed these or booking your surgery may be delayed. Your surgical date will be given to you approximately four to six weeks in advance.
You are also on the cancellation list unless you do not want to be contacted for last minute dates, or have any scheduled travel plans. Please notify the staff if you have any plans that may delay surgery. Use the time while you are waiting to improve your health and fitness.
Being in optimal health and fitness prior to surgery can quicken your recovery. The exercise guides below can help you strengthen your muscles. You will be referring to these guides during your recovery in the hospital, at home, and at your out-patient physiotherapy appointments.
If you are 55+, Choose to Move is a free program in BC that supports people to become and stay active.
Commitment
Please review the Commitment Letter to ensure that you have your appointments and surgery organized seamlessly.
After Surgery
The average length of stay in the hospital after a hip or knee replacement is between eight hours and two days. It is important to be mentally and physically prepared before you come into the hospital. If you feel that you may need additional help after surgery, refer to the Home Health Service Line or Community Resources Burnaby & Vancouver pamphlet. If you are not eligible for Home Health services, you can explore resources in the community through BC211.
Depending on your health before surgery, you might be able to go home on the same day of surgery. Your surgeon will let you know if this is possible during your consultation. To help you prepare to go home on the same day, please review the following documents:
Nurse Practitioners
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are part of the joint replacement team here at Burnaby Hospital. NPs practice very similar to a general practitioner, they are licensed to autonomously diagnose, treat illness, prescribe medications, order tests, and consult specialists. They collaborate with the rest of the team (surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists, etc) to ensure you are receiving the highest quality of care during your stay. You will see the NPs daily until you are discharged.
Pre-operative Instructions and Resources
Once you have decided to proceed with having surgery, please review the resources below to help you get prepared. You will attend a Joint Replacement Education Class online for more information. When your surgery is booked, you will be contacted by the Pre-Admission Clinic for an appointment to complete any remaining pre-operative tests, to see a nurse to arrange for equipment needs, and to arrange an anesthesia consult.
- Getting Ready for Hip or Knee Replacement Checklist
- Chlorhexidine Skin Cleaning Before Surgery
- Peripheral Nerve Block
- Take Part in Your Recovery
- Staying Safe While in Hospital
- Delirium
- How to Prevent a Thrombo-Embolism
- Nutrition Tips for Your Surgery
- Canada’s Food Guide
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy and Stop Smoking Medications
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Surgery
- The Arthritis Society – Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery
- Pain and Ways to Manage It
- Relax with Diaphragmatic Breathing
Address Notes
Parking and Transportation
Designated patient and visitor parking is available at Parkade Level P2 and Emergency Parking Lot.
Payment methods to purchase parking:
- Pay Station
- hangTag app (through apple app store or google play store)
- hangTag Park + Pay (no app required, see link below)
| Parking rate | Main lot | Emergency lot |
| hangTag Park + Pay | 641502 | 641503 |
| First hour | $4.25 | $4.25 |
| Each additional hour | $3.50 | n/a |
| Day rate | $11.25 | n/a |
| Evenings | $5.25 | n/a |
| 24-hour rate | $16.50 | n/a |
| 1-week permit | $45.00 | n/a |
| 2-week permit | $70.25 | n/a |
| 1-month permit | $140.25 | n/a |
| Seniors 1-week permit | $33.00 | n/a |
| Seniors 2-week permit | $60.25 | n/a |
| Seniors 1-month permit | $120.00 | n/a |
*If you have difficulty paying for parking, financial hardship permits may be available on a case-by-case basis. Please talk to your unit social worker for more information or contact Parking Administration at 604-930-5440 (Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) or email LMCParking@fraserhealth.ca.
Hours of operation
Eligibility
18 and over.