Wednesday, March 31, 2027 marks a significant event in the Canadian healthcare calendar — the Sixth Annual Canadian Orthopaedic Care Day.
Stay tuned for 2027’s theme !
Download the 2026 media kit and visual assets here.
Across Canada, an average of 3.73 orthopaedic surgeons per 100,000 people work every day to support the mobility, independence, and quality of life of millions. Reaching a sustainable target of 7 surgeons per 100,000 would require tripling training output over the next decade—at the same time that an estimated 25–30% of the current workforce is nearing retirement. Yet there is meaningful progress to celebrate: 32% of the 2025 graduating cohort identify as female, a record high in Canadian orthopaedics and a sign of a more inclusive future. Understanding the daily realities of orthopaedic practice is essential for better system planning, and Canadian Orthopaedic Care Day offers a moment to celebrate, educate, and advocate for the care that keeps our country moving.
References:
Canadian Orthopaedic Association. (2025). 2025 COA graduate snapshot. https://coa-aco.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-COA-Graduate-Snapshot-5.pdf
CMPA data: Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA). Type of Work (TOW) 94 – Surgery: Orthopedic. Data as of December 31, 2024.
Population data: Statistics Canada. Table 17-10-0005-01: Population estimates on July 1st, by age and sex.
In 2022, 10.6% of Canadians aged 15 and over—over 3.1 million people—reported a mobility-related disability. Among seniors aged 65+, 63% experience mobility disabilities.
As of July 1, 2024, 7.8 million Canadians were 65 years or older. By 2036, seniors could represent up to 25% of the total population.
Pain, mobility restrictions, and flexibility impairments are among the most reported disabilities among older adults.
As the population ages and mobility challenges increase, access to timely orthopaedic care will be critical to maintaining quality of life, independence, and mobility for millions of Canadians.
Without investments in orthopaedic care, mentorship for early-career surgeons, and collaboration with allied health professionals, Canada risks longer wait times, increased disability rates, and reduced quality of life for seniors.
