One of my friends ended up with a botched meniscus repair after a rushed consultation, a six-month wait, and post-op instructions that sounded like they were copied off Google. Unfortunately, stories like his aren’t unusual.
So when my brother told me he needed to see an orthopedic specialist, I knew we couldn’t leave it to chance. The thought of him going through the same confusion or poor outcomes my friend (and many others) experienced didn’t sit right with me.
That’s what pushed me to take a closer look at Calgary’s orthopedic scene. I talked to former patients, joined forums, and verified credentials.
Here are the orthopedic specialists in Calgary who actually diagnose properly and treat patients with care.
How much does it cost to see an orthopedic specialist in Calgary?
It costs at least $200 for a new patient to see an orthopedic specialist in Calgary. This is just an estimate. The actual price depends on whether the patient is being referred, has insurance, and more.
Table of Contents
1. Gateway Surgery
Address: 110 Quarry Pk Blvd S E #200
Contact Details: +14039104585
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 8 AM to 4 PM
- Friday – 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Gateway Surgery stands out because of its team-based, start-to-finish approach to orthopedic care.
From the first call to the follow-up after surgery, Gateway’s staff makes sure every step is covered. One patient I spoke with mentioned getting a same-day callback after reporting post-op swelling from his knee replacement.
Patients don’t have to chase down separate referrals for scans or physio too, since the practice handles everything in-house.
A woman with a complex shoulder injury was impressed by how her rehab plan was mapped out before she even went under the knife. I like how even their physiotherapy team checked in regularly to adjust her exercises.
For spinal care, a patient with a lumbar disc herniation said the team explained every step before his procedure. Their approach to lumbar spinal stenosis is similar—patients get a clear plan and regular check-ins.
The only catch is the price. Since everything is bundled and private, it does cost more than most public hospitals.
High quality of care from before the surgery to post op
“I came from Victoria BC to Gateway Surgery in Calgary to get a complete left hip replacement. Waiting until mid 2027 at home was an unthinkable option! My experience was first rate from start to finish. Dr. Emmanuel Illica has great bedside manner and I have found that to be unusual for a surgeon. I never felt like a number or merely a replacement part. I am now 2 weeks post surgery and in recovery. The entire team focuses on demonstrating a high quality of care from before the surgery to post op and thus far through the recovery process. The accessibility to 2 nurses 7 days weekly from 7 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. is incredible. Ones issues are addressed in a very timely manner. I am thoroughly satisfied thus far and I would highly recommend Gateway Surgery for joint replacement if you are anywhere in Western Canada. The only reason I don’t include eastern Canada, is because a long flight mere days post major surgery is not much “fun”. My 75 minute flight to Victoria was very doable. I wish the entire Gateway Team a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2026. They deserve it!”
– Hillerie Denning, Google Reviews
Offering modern robotics, spinal anesthetic
“Resting at home now with private total knee replacement surgery 2 weeks behind me. Many thanks to Gateway Surgery in Calgary for organizing the myriad details and delivering a world class service. Dr. Costa is brilliant. Offering modern robotics, spinal anesthetic and nerve block pump, my pain has not once risen above 2/10. Such a gift! After 2 weeks, I am walking pain free and looking forward to hiking the trails with my puppy in early spring. Life is good.”
– Julie Henderson, Google Reviews
2. Dr. Ian Lo
Address: 3916 Macleod Trl Suite 300
Contact Details: +15873553090
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 4 PM
Dr. Ian Lo stood out to me for his patient-first, education-heavy approach to shoulder injuries. One patient told me that during her consult, he broke down the reasons behind every suggestion and never hurried her through the choices.
I like how he leans into minimally invasive, modern arthroscopic and reconstructive surgeries. A patient with a tough rotator cuff tear told me she appreciated how he brought out model joints beforehand to walk her through the surgery.
He also treats SLAP lesions, which are tears where the biceps tendon meets the labrum in the shoulder. I like that he lays out both rehab and surgical options for his patients.
His aftercare is solid too. One patient with shoulder osteoarthritis told me he liked how Dr. Lo’s office set up regular check-ins and gave him easy-to-follow, step-by-step home exercises.
The only catch is that Dr. Lo focuses on the shoulders. Patients looking for help with hips, feet, or ankles will need to go elsewhere.
He is very caring and his team is amazing
“I normally don’t do any reviews but this is one I feel warrants one. I met Dr Lo this summer after an unfortunate accident with my shoulder. He did my surgery on Sept 21 at, 2023 and has been amazing since. He is very caring and his team is amazing. Lots of laughs and lots of positivity with his team! I have a long road ahead due to the damage I did to my shoulder but I know I will heal slowly but will have an amazing team cheering me on! Thanks for helping me Dr.Lo!!”
– SHANNON GAUVIN, Google Reviews
His direct demeanour gave me confidence, relief, and resolutio
“A sudden fall 2 years ago, left me with increased pain, reduced movement.. seeing Dr. Lo confirmed injury, and Dr. Lo’s expertise gave me confidence of conservative support instead of invasive surgery, with lasting changes. His direct demeanour gave me confidence, relief, and resolution. I look forward to my follow up, and his quality care.”
– Sonya Cameron, Google Reviews
3. Access Orthopaedics | Physiotherapy | Spine
Address: 110 Quarry Pk Blvd S E Suite 200
Contact Details: +15873553090
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 7:30 AM to 5 PM
Access Orthopaedics is set up so people can go from getting an X-ray to seeing a specialist, and even get a pain management injection, all in the same place.
One patient recovering from a herniated disc told me they were able to get a steroid injection and meet with a physiatrist in a single afternoon. At most clinics, that would have meant weeks of waiting and bouncing between appointments.
What really stands out to me is how they handle spinal issues like sciatica, radicular pain, and myelopathy. A patient with stubborn sciatica said the team here actually listened to their symptoms and adjusted the treatment plan on the spot.
Their work with elbows, hands, and wrists is just as smooth. I met someone with carpal tunnel syndrome who liked that his specialist didn’t just hand him a wrist brace, but also walked him through exercises he could do at home to help his joints.
The only real downside is that patients need a referral to get in, which can be a hassle if they don’t have a regular GP or allied health provider.
Rachelle Kichton is incredibly kind and caring
“I can’t recommend Rachelle enough—she is an absolutely exceptional physiotherapist. When we learned she had moved from Life Mark, we went out of our way to find her new practice because we truly didn’t want to work with anyone else. That effort alone should tell you everything you need to know!
Rachelle Kichton is incredibly kind and caring, always ensuring you feel heard and comfortable. More importantly, she is outstanding at her job. Her skill and expertise have made a huge difference in my recovery and movement. If you are looking for a highly effective and compassionate physiotherapist, Rachel is the one to see!”
– Moeen Zohary, Google Reviews
The team at Access Orthopaedic are incredible
“The team at Access Orthopaedic are incredible. I had major shoulder surgery in March and have been doing my rehab with Jack on the physio team. Jack’s knowledge, experience and patience have made this process as good as it can be. Jack has been able to adapt my program to how my body has responded but I feel I am turning a corner now and am excited for next steps. I can’t recommend Jack enough to anyone looking for a physiotherapist with deep knowledge of shoulder rehabilitation.”
– jamie marino, Google Reviews
4. Alberta Hip and Knee Clinic
Address: Gulf Canada Square, 401 9 Ave SW #335
Contact Details: +14032663471
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 4 PM
Alberta Hip and Knee Clinic brings together bone and joint surgeons, nurse case managers, and a rehab crew under one roof. They even have research leads in the clinic.
This setup means every step, from the first consult to post-op rehab, leaves no room for guessing who’s in charge.
Their eConsults are another thing I like. If patients aren’t quite at the point of needing a new joint but still want answers, they can get advice fast instead of waiting months for a surgery slot.
One patient told me she skipped a bunch of pointless appointments and got a clear plan for her hip pain in just a few days. The only snag is that eConsults are only for people who are referred.
That aside, I like that everyone has to attend a teaching class about 2 to 4 weeks before surgery. The session walks patients through what the operation and recovery will actually look like.
One knee replacement patient told me that knowing the recovery timeline and how pain would be managed made her feel a lot less anxious going in.
I had a wonderful experience
“I had a wonderful experience with the Alberta Hip ans Knee Clinic. Dr. Meldrum and his entire staff were incredibly helpful, accommodating, and truly made me feel comfortable before and after my knee replacement surgery. A special thank-you to Hannah , his nurse assistant, Fari, Bryce and Travis for being so kind and attentive throughout the process. The whole team was professional, informative, and patient. They treated me and my family with great respect, and they navigated our language barrier with understanding and care. I felt supported every step of the way, and I’m very grateful for the excellent treatment I received. Highly recommend!”
– Hernando Gómez Aldama, Google Reviews
The nursing staff who assisted me post-operation were also efficient
“Dr. James Ardell and his case manager Hannah at the Alberta Hip and Knee Clinic are amazing. They have really gone above and beyond to make my total hip replacement a positive experience. They answered all my questions and kept me well informed about the process, giving me helpful and practical advice. I also want to give kudos to the medical team who worked with Dr. Ardell at Rockyview Hospital on my surgery day. Everything worked seamlessly and I felt very well-cared for and supported. The nursing staff who assisted me post-operation were also efficient, patient and informative. My recovery is going extremely well and I am very grateful for the high calibre of medical professionals involved in my treatment.”
– Cindy McKinley, Google Reviews
5. The Knee Clinic
Address: 10333 Southport Rd SW Suite 535
Contact Details: +14034575633
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 7 AM to 7 PM
- Friday – 7 AM to 5 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 2 PM
Knee Clinic made the list because of its unique focus on rapid, customized knee care. The standout here is their ability to quickly assess, diagnose, and start treatment, whether that’s a custom knee brace or advanced imaging.
One patient had a brace fitted and measured in a single visit, with the finished product ready in under a week.
I also liked that they offer a range of injection options. Patients can get a classic cortisone shot for quick relief of swelling. They can also opt for PRP, which uses a patient’s own blood to speed healing.
Their use of the ARCON system to measure muscle strength before and after rehab is a real plus. One patient told me they could actually see their progress in numbers after a few weeks of physio, which made sticking with the exercises a lot more motivating.
The only real negative is that their rehab team doesn’t participate in the Alberta Health Services post-surgical program. If patients want everything covered publicly, they’ll need to coordinate physiotherapy separately or pay out of pocket.
I was impressed that he began with a thorough analysis
“I have experienced gradual deterioration of my left knee for several years. I went to see Dr. Karmali and I was impressed that he began with a thorough analysis of both my knee and back using MRIs. It turns out that the primary cause of my knee problem is nerve damage in my back. He began a regiment of chiropractic treatments to relieve the pressure on the nerve in my back and recommended physiotherapy on my knee with Katie. After a few months my knee has improved to the point that I no longer need a cane. When I first went to the Knee Clinic I was anticipating that I would require knee surgery, but thanks to Dr. Kamali’s thorough diagnosis, I now see that this would have been a mistake.”
– Neil Harris, Google Reviews
I have life to live again
“I not often leave a review, but I hope this will help someone to take help when everything else hasn’t really worked so far. I m so thankful I met Doctor Karmali. He have treated my back problems with he’s special unique chiropractic skills, for 6 weeks now, and I have life to live again. And Andy who practices physiotherapy, is awesome. I enjoy working with him. Thanks too God and the glory too God for putting me with the right people to get help what was needed so badly. Never give up. Search for help, until you find the right help you need. Always keep heads up and move forward until your needs are met. Thanks Doctor Karmali and your team. Susi Harris”
– Susi Harris, Google Reviews
