Orthopaedic Surgery

Why do I need an Orthopaedic Surgeon?

Musculoskeletal pain is the number one reason why people visit their family doctor each year. Orthopaedic Surgeons are devoted to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. These conditions can affect people at any age and at any time, which keeps patients of all ages from working and enjoying life. An orthopaedic surgeon is an expert with extensive training and knowledge in both non-surgical and surgical treatment strategies of these injuries and diseases that involve the musculoskeletal system. High quality orthopaedic care is invaluable and helps people reclaim their quality of life.

What are the common reasons for seeing an Orthopaedic Surgeon?

Some of the typical disorders treated by Orthopaedic Surgeons include:

• Fractures and dislocations
• Torn ligaments, sprains, and strains
• Tendon injuries, injured muscles, and bursitis
• Arthritis in the knee or hip, requiring joint replacement
• Arthritis and injuries of the shoulder and elbow
• Herniated discs in the spine, sciatica, and scoliosis
• Bunions, hammer toes, flat feet, and arthritis in the ankle
• Osteoporosis
• Bone and soft tissue tumours

Do I need surgery?

Our goal is to help you maintain or restore function, mobility, and quality of life. As Orthopedic Surgeons, we want to work with you to try to avoid surgeries if possible through appropriate physiotherapy and lifestyle improvements. We can also offer injections, such as steroid and hyaluronic acid, to help relieve pain and improve mobility. Surgery is reserved for patients whose function remains limited, despite more conservative therapy. Thankfully, orthopaedic operations, such as hip and knee replacements, have been shown to be some of the most beneficial interventions in medicine to improve quality of life and productivity in society. For this reason, hip and knee replacement are the most common operations undertaken by many Orthopaedic Surgeons.

I want to see an Orthopaedic Surgeon. How can I make an appointment?

In Ontario, seeing an Orthopaedic Surgeon requires a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner. If you have one, please take our information to your family doctor or nurse practitioner and let them know we are happy to see you in a fast and efficient manner. If you don't have a family doctor, please click here to book an appointment with one of ours who would be happy to see you. Our Family Physicians will help determine if you require an assessment by an Orthopaedic Surgeon, and if you want to see one in our clinic they can help set this up as soon as possible, and sometimes even the same day.

How can I learn more?

To learn more about orthopaedics and what a surgeon can offer, you can visit the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation.