Canadian Medical Travel Coordination
Last updated: June 2026
How long is the wait for spine and neurosurgery in Canada?
According to the Fraser Institute's 2025 report, neurosurgery has the longest median wait of any specialty in Canada at 49.9 weeks from family doctor referral to treatment, the highest of the 12 specialties surveyed and 3.6 weeks longer than the year before. The national median across all specialties is 28.6 weeks.
Official provincial records show the same pattern. According to the Government of British Columbia's surgical wait-time data, for spinal and back procedures completed in early 2026, one in ten patients waited more than 25 weeks for the surgical stage alone, and in some health regions that figure passed 40 weeks. The diagnostic stage adds to the timeline: the median wait for an MRI, which most patients need before spine surgery, is 18.1 weeks nationally (Fraser Institute, 2025). CIHI reports that 16 percent more MRI and CT scans were performed in 2024 than in 2019, while demand continues to rise.
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During these periods, patients with a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or nerve compression manage their symptoms between diagnosis and treatment. Treatment at an accredited international hospital is one option for earlier care, and Maple Med Global sets out clearly how that works.
How spine surgery abroad works for Canadians
Spine surgery abroad for Canadians follows a clear path: you share your medical file and imaging, we match you with an accredited hospital and surgeon, you meet the operating surgeon in a free online consultation, and then we coordinate the hospital, travel, accommodation, and follow-up after you return.
Treatment abroad is private and paid directly by you. The quote sets out what is and is not included. If you prefer not to pay all at once, instalment financing is available through third-party providers, with payment made to us or the hospital and repaid over time.
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Share your medical file and imaging (MRI, CT)
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We match you with an accredited hospital suited to your case
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If your case is accepted, a free online consultation with the operating surgeon
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A clear quote showing what is included
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Coordination of hospital, flights, and accommodation
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Follow-up support after you return to Canada
Spine and neurosurgery procedures we coordinate
The procedures we coordinate most often at accredited hospitals range from spinal fusion, disc surgery, decompression, and scoliosis correction to minimally invasive spine surgery and selected brain and nerve surgery. The technique and recovery plan for your case are recommended by the surgeon in a free online consultation before any commitment.
Procedure
Who is it for
Spinal fusion
Disc surgery (microdiscectomy)
Decompression (laminectomy)
Scoliosis and deformity correction
Minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery
Brain and nerve surgery
Chronic back pain from spinal instability, degenerative disc disease, or spondylolisthesis
A herniated disc pressing on a nerve, and the leg pain (sciatica) it causes
Pain, numbness, and difficulty walking caused by spinal stenosis and nerve compression
Pain, numbness, and difficulty walking caused by spinal stenosis and nerve compression
Disc and decompression procedures performed through smaller incisions where suitable, with a shorter recovery
Complex cases including tumours, aneurysms, and neurovascular conditions, coordinated with experienced advanced centres
Surgical techniques vary by hospital and include robotic-assisted and neuronavigation-guided options. For joint and bone surgery, see our Orthopedics page.
How we choose your hospital and surgeon
We select the hospital on three criteria in every case: the hospital's volume in joint replacement surgery, the surgeon's experience with your specific procedure, and an international patient department with English-language support. We share the hospital we recommend, with the surgeon's name and professional background, before any commitment.
The international hospitals we work with hold Joint Commission International (JCI), Accreditation Canada, or equivalent accreditation. If you want to compare, you can ask for more than one option.
Where Canadians can have spine surgery abroad
We coordinate spine and neurosurgery for Canadian patients at established international centres across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The right destination depends on both your case and your priorities, such as expertise, language, timing, and travel preference.
Region
Americas
Countries
Noted for
The United States offers access to leading centres for complex spine and neurosurgery; because self-pay costs are high, it is most suitable for patients with private international health insurance. Mexico offers shorter flights and minimal time difference, with modern spine surgery at accredited hospitals
Europe
Asia
Germany is known for advanced technology and precise surgical planning, Turkiye for high patient volume and robotic-assisted spine systems
South Korea for dedicated spine centres, India for high procedure volume and internationally trained surgeons
If you have already decided on a destination, we will factor that in. All the countries we work with are listed on our Destinations page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Your Spine or Neurosurgery with Maple Med Global
As a Canada-based coordination team, Maple Med Global manages every step of the process, from choosing the right hospital and surgeon to flights, accommodation, and follow-up after you return. To begin, share your diagnosis and any imaging with us. We review your case and present suitable hospitals together with a clear treatment plan and quote.
This page provides general information, not medical advice. Clinical decisions are made by the treating physician(s).