10 Best Orthopedic Surgeons in Toronto

Injuries encountered during sports or joint issues due to aging can result in excruciating pain, which is usually chronic. To alleviate such pain, usually, surgery is required, and to perform these critical surgeries, orthopedic surgeries are a necessity. Toronto has one of the largest divisions of orthopedic surgeons in the entirety of North America. Plus, medical care is free of cost allows people to undergo these surgeries without the fear of a huge medical bill, even amongst the 2020’s Covid pandemic, 841 orthopedic surgeries were performed in Ontario.

Dr. Jihad Abouali

Orthopedic Surgery continues to be the hardest hit specialty when it comes to surgical backlogs, which has been especially tough on our patients who have been suffering while waiting for surgery. I will continue to advocate for your care, which we all know is necessary for both your physical and mental well-being.”

Dr. Jihad Abouali is one of the top-rated orthopedic surgeons in Toronto. He operates in the East York region and has worked with numerous famous personalities. Unsurprisingly, he is a fan of ice hockey and Toronto Maple Leafs is his favorite team. He used to have long hair; however, he donated his hair to the Canadian Cancer Society in 2018. Having co-written a book with Mohit Bhandari, he always keeps up with the latest research in the medical world. Dr. Abouali also lectures at the University of Toronto, and he has also been a part of various research projects. Also, his work has been published in medical journals.

Specialization

Having been worked with numerous sports personalities, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Dr. Abouali specializes in sports injuries and problems regarding the shoulders and knees. He has worked with individuals like Nathan Perrott, a former enforcer of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Justin Braun, a member of the Toronto Football Club. Arthroscopic surgery, sports medicine, and regenerative therapy are other aspects in which, Dr. Abouali has a particular interest, as he has performed over 200 anterior cruciate ligament surgeries.

ACL injuries are common, but growth on the ACL is not. While sometimes a cyst or tumor can appear on the ligament, the MRI, in this case, did not have the typical appearance of either condition. I was able to diagnosis this patient with a Gouty Tophus of the ACL, which has only been described 4 times in the literature. We successfully removed this mass with arthroscopic surgery. My team and I published our results in the International Journal of Surgery Case Reports earlier this month.”

Philanthropy

Dr. Abouali has also been working voluntarily as the Lead Medical Doctor for Toronto Parapam American Games Organizing Committee since 2015. He also provides his expert consultation and skilled surgeries for disabled people in March of Dimes Canada, a national charity established in 2005.

Education and Certification

• Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences, Western University
• Doctor of Medicine, McMaster University
• Residency in FRCSC Orthopedic Surgery, McMaster University
• Fellowship in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy, University of Toronto
• Certified Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
• American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)
• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
• Canadian Orthopaedic Association
• Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA)

Experience

• Team Orthopedic Surgeon, Toronto Football Club (July 2012-June 2013)
• Team Orthopedic Surgeon, Toronto Argonauts Football Club (May 2013-Jan 2015)
• Lecturer, University of Toronto (July 2013-Present)
• Orthopedic Consultant, Canada Basketball (July 2016-Present)
• Orthopedic Surgeon, Toronto East General Hospital (June 2015-Present)

Achievements 

• CORE Surgical Program Research Award (2019)
• Dr. Kirkpatrick Award (2020)
• John H Fowler Excellence (2021)

Media Appearances

• Dr. Jihad Abouali has been mentioned in CBC News, Impact Magazine, and The Globe and Mail.

Dr. Duong Nguyen

Choosing a medical specialty is a complex decision comprised of a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors that can include economic status, personal interest, input from mentors, and personality traits.”

Greatly respected for his orthopedic surgical programs in Canada, Dr. Duong Nguyen is an amazing orthopedic surgeon, known for providing detailed research to his patients. Dr. Nguyen is also quite an adventurer, as he loves exploring the outdoors. His social media is filled with photographs of him trekking, kayaking, and even partaking in archery. He also utilizes these platforms to educate people by providing statistics and his medical knowledge. His patients also state that he is one of the sweetest and attentive doctors, he carefully listens to each patient, and he ensures that they receive the best treatment and care. Dr. Nguyen has trained in both Canada and the United States.

Specialization

Dr. Nguyen specializes in sports injuries surrounding the arthroscopic shoulder, elbow, and knee surgery. He has worked with athletes of all sport disciplines from basketball players to professional swimmers, and with years of experience in sports medicine, he understands even the slightest distinctions in almost similar appearing injuries. In addition to his expertise in sports injuries, he has a special interest in ACL and meniscus injuries.

Education and Certification

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Doctor of Medicine, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine
• Residency in Orthopedic Surgery, University of Western Ontario
• Fellowship in Sports Medicine, Columbia University-New York Orthopaedic Hospital
• Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology and Health Research Methodology, McMaster University
• Candidate in Insurance Medicine & Medicolegal Expertise, University of Montreal
• American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons (ABOS)
• American Board of Independent Medical Examiners
• Certified Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
• Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA)

Experience

• Over 10 years of experience in the medical field
• Orthopedic Surgeon, Nguyen Sports Medicine (September 2009-Present)

Achievements

• J.C. Kennedy Award (2016)
• Charles S. Neer Award (2014)
• PAIRO award (2006)

Dr. Jacqueline Smith Auguste

It’s a divine right to indulge in personal chill-out time! What good are you to anyone else if you’re not at your best?”

Dr. Jacqueline Smith Auguste is one of the most versatile orthopedic surgeons in Toronto. Before she ventured into the medical world, she used to be a professional figure skater, and she even competed in numerous alpine skiing and windsurfing competitions. She was born in Calgary and was raised near a lake, which made her an adventurer, and she cannot get enough of the outdoors. While she doesn’t play sports professionally anymore, she is a talented musician, as she’s involved in recording, performing, and producing songs in Toronto, and she’s also the co-founder of the musical group, Across The Board. She has also created a web series called Pick Up and Play. Moreover, she is also an executive producer in various Toronto films and music.

Specialization

Having had such experiences in sports before her medical career, it is easy to see why her area of expertise is sports injuries. She specializes in trauma, joint surgery, and any issue in between that surface due to sports. In addition to dealing with these, she also carries out hip and knee replacement surgeries. She is also quite good with children, and for this reason, she has published informative articles for parents on subjects like allergies for children and children medicine in Canada in English, French, and Spanish.

I assess and treat varsity athletes for sports-related injuries, attend York Lions football games as a field orthopedic surgeon and consult with the trainers and physical therapists on the rehabilitation and return-to-play of injured varsity athletes.”

Philanthropy

• Dr. Jacqueline Smith Auguste actively takes part in charity campaigns to raise money for causes like cancer.

Education and Certification

• Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, University of Alberta
• Master of Science in Health Service Administration, Central Michigan University
• Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Administration, University of Alberta
• Doctor of Medicine, University of Calgary
• Residency in Orthopedic Surgery, University of Calgary
• Fellowship in Oncology and Lower Extremity Reconstruction, University of Toronto
• Masters of Business Administration in Health Services Administration, Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University
• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS)
• Canadian Orthopaedic Association
• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
• Certified Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)

Experience 

• Over 15 years of experience in the medical field
• Resident at Orthopedic Surgery, University of Calgary (1996-2002)
• Orthopedic Fellow, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto (2002-2004)
• Orthopedic Fellow, Toronto Western Hospital (2004-2005)
• Orthopedic Surgeon, Humber River Hospital (2004-Present)
• Orthopedic Surgeon, Gorman Shore Sports Injury Clinic (2007-Present)
• Orthopedic Surgeon, Downsview Orthopedic and Arthritis Center (2012-Present)

Achievements

• Dr. Robert Townsend Scientific Award
• COREF Grant for Basic Science Research

Dr. John Murnaghan

Dr. John Murnaghan is one of the most reputed doctors in Toronto. His patients are astonished by the results of the surgeries performed by Dr. Murnaghan. He is exceptionally skilled in his work, as he goes through the entire questionnaire with his patients, sometimes explaining each question in detail. This allows him to understand the nature of the injury,i.e., if it occurred from an accident, excessive use of the joint, or because of the sedentary lifestyle. He also won the COAGS Norman Bethune Orthopaedic Travel Scholarship in 2019 and traveled to China to understand how different countries carry out their medical services.

Specialization

In his initial years, Dr. Murnaghan performed all sorts of orthopedic surgeries and treatments; however, as he started working with joints and their replacement surgeries, his practice transitioned to him exclusively performing joint replacement surgeries and lower limb arthroplasty. Although he works on all joints, his procedure for hip and knee replacement surgery is unlike any other. Patients claim to not feel pain after the surgery. He has also written a publication on the effects of aspirin regarding knee and hip surgery.

Education and Certification

• Bachelor’s Degree, University of Toronto
• Doctor of Medicine, University of Toronto
• Master of Science, University of Toronto
• Master of Arts in Education Administration, University of Illinois
• Residency in FRCSC Orthopaedic Training, University of Toronto
• Fellowship in Arthroscopic Surgery and Adult Reconstructive Surgery of the Hip and Knee, Canada (1987-1988)
• Fellowship in Arthroscopic Surgery and Adult Reconstructive Surgery of the Hip and Knee, Germany (1989)
• Canadian Orthopaedic Association

Experience

• Over 20 years of experience in the medical field
• Associate Professor, University of Toronto
• Orthopedic Surgeon, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center (1998-Present)

Dr. Amr Elmaraghy 

Dr. Amr Elmaraghy is among the top-rated doctors in Toronto. Presently, he operates at the University of Toronto and St. Joseph’s Health Center. He is a competent orthopedic surgeon who is committed to excellence in his practice, teaching, and research work. Dr. Amr is a huge fan of basketball, and he has even played for three years for Varsity Blue’s Men Basketball team. Initially, he wanted to pursue a career in sports, but he decided to become a doctor instead. Still, he manages to bring sports into his life, as he deals in sports injuries.

Specialization

As mentioned previously, Dr. Amr specializes in sports medicine, particularly in shoulder replacement and upper extremity arthroscopy and reconstruction surgery. He also has an interest in treating wrist injuries. Since he specializes in the treatment of the shoulder, he has written articles on shoulder surgeries, which are well-received. Dr. Amr also attended a conference in Dubai in 2016, where he shared his knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder injuries with other physicians

Education and Certification

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Doctor of Medicine, University of Toronto
• Residency in Orthopedic Surgery, University of Toronto
• Fellowship in Upper Extremity Surgery, University of Toronto
• Certified Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)

Experience

• Over 20 years of experience in the medical field
• Member of Head Division of Orthopedic Surgery, St. Joseph’s Health Center, Toronto (September 2013- September 2018)
• Interim Cheif of Surgery, Unity Health Toronto-St. Joseph’s Health Center, Toronto (June 2020-June 2021)
• Associate Professor, University of Toronto Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopedic Surgery (June 2015-Present)
• Orthopedic Surgeon, St. Joseph’s Health Center, Toronto (July 2001-Present)

Achievements

• Recognition Award from the Department of Physical Therapy (2014)

Dr. Daniel Pincus

The complications occur not necessarily as a result of the fracture, but as a result of waiting for surgery. The wait means patients lie in bed, not able to eat.”

Dr. Daniel Pincus is another excellent orthopedic surgeon in Toronto. While he doesn’t possess decades of experience in this field, he is quite precise with his surgical skills, and all of his patients are amazed by his expertise. He is also known to be extremely compassionate. Moreover, he does physical exams for each patient, despite having an x-ray and other medical reports available. This approach makes him quite special among his patient base. Also, he was one of the most promising students in his batch.

Specialization

Unlike other surgeons that start their career by performing numerous surgeries on different body parts, Dr. Pincus only performs surgeries in his area of expertise,i.e., hips and knees, to further enhance his skill. So far, all of his surgeries have been successful. As it is with surgeries, most patients are anxious, and he is known to calm them first and foremost, and only then, proceed with the surgeries. Dr. Pincus is also interested in arthroplasty of other joints.

Some patients will benefit from pre-operative medical treatment and rushing them to the operating room before this happens is probably not the right answer. If patients are healthy and ready for the operation room, however, there is no reason they need to wait until 24 hours, especially as they are suffering in pain.”

Education and Certification

• Bachelor’s Degree, McGill University
• Doctor of Medicine, University of Toronto
• Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Epidemiology and Health Care Research, University of Toronto
• Residency in FRCSC Orthopedic Surgery, University of Toronto
• Fellowship in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty, University of British Columbia
• Certified Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)

Experience

• Orthopedic Fellow, Vancouver Coastal Health (July 2019-June 2020)
• Orthopedic Surgeon, Sunnybrook (July 2020-Present)

Achievements

• Claire Bombardier Ph.D. Gold Award (2019)
• Bernie Langer Award (2021)

Media Appearances

• Dr. Pincus was mentioned in CBC and Journal of the American Medical Association for his publication on Association Between Wait Time and 30-Day Mortality in Adults Undergoing Hip Fracture Surgery.

Dr. Michael G. Zywiel

Currently working at the Toronto Western Hospital, Dr. Zywiel is among the top-rated orthopedic surgeons in Toronto. Dr. Zywiel is quite keen on learning, and he likes to understand one aspect from various perspectives. For this reason, he did a master’s in Health Policy, to understand different approaches to the medical world. He also keeps up-to-date with the latest findings and technology in the medical world.

Specialization

Dr. Michael G. Zywiel thinks in terms of efficiency, as he developed a same-day discharge joint replacement program, working with anesthetists, nurses, physical therapists, and physician assistants. This allows patients to quickly be discharged from the hospital while providing expert care before and after the surgery. His area of expertise is in hip and knee replacement surgery. Dr. Zywiel takes a direct anterior approach for hip replacement, in this surgery is performed from the front of the hip, where the joint is closer to the skin. As you can tell, with this approach, surgery can be carried out with the least amount of cutting and allows for a quick recovery.

Our research suggests that reducing the rate of delirium would simultaneously increase the quality of care while decreasing costs, presenting hospitals, surgeons and other stakeholders with promising opportunities to improve the value of hip fracture care”

Education and Certification

• Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University
• Doctor of Medicine, Jagiellonian University
• Fellowship, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics
• Fellowship in Clinical Orthopaedics in Baltimore, Maryland
• Masters in Health Policy, University of Toronto
• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons

Experience

• Over 10 years of experience in the medical field
• Resident at Orthopedic Surgery, University of Toronto (July 2010- June 2016)
• Fellow, Arthroplasty and Value-Based Health Care Delivery, Dell Medical School-University of Texas (August 2016 – July 2017)
• Orthopedic Surgeon, Toronto Western Hospital (January 2018-Present)

Media Appearances

• Dr. Michael G. Zywiel’s research paper on Hip Fracture Patients: Nearly half have delirium was posted in ScienceDaily.

Dr. Barry Cayen

I have the best job in the world.  I work with a top-rate surgical team that is instrumental in delivering world-class patient care.  This incredible team includes nurses, physiotherapists, my physician colleagues, support staff, and administrative staff. Being surrounded by such talented people makes going to work a pleasure.”

Working in the North York district of Toronto, Dr. Barry Cayen is an excellent orthopedic surgeon. He is also an MSc, MPH, and FRCSC. He is known to work even the cases with numerous complications, which other surgeons refuse to take, as they can further damage or even paralyze the patient. Dr. Cayen also carefully addresses the problem of the patients and advises accordingly. Additionally, he is among the few orthopedic surgeons in Toronto to utilize a Hana table, which allows for a direct anterior approach.

Specialization

While Dr. Barry is skilled at performing all musculoskeletal surgeries, he specializes in anterior hip replacements, knee replacements, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, meniscus surgery, and orthopedic trauma. Most of his patient base comprises senior citizens, as they are more prone to hip and knee issues. He also treats sports injuries, and he keeps the most up-to-date technology at his clinic.

Now, patients do not need to stay overnight in the hospital after a knee replacement.  Given the current environment, this is welcome news for patients who need knee replacement surgery, but want to keep their hospital stay as short as possible.”

Education and Certification

• Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences, Queen’s University
• Master of Science in Exercise Physiology, University of Toronto
• Doctor of Medicine, University of Toronto
• Master of Public Health, Harvard University
• Residency in FRCSC Orthopedic Surgery, University of Toronto
• Fellowship in Orthopedic Sports Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital
• Fellowship in Arthroplasty and Trauma, St. Michael’s Hospital
• Certified Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)

Experience

• Over 10 years of experience in the medical field
• Orthopedic Surgeon, Humber River Hospital (July 2010-Present)

Dr. Markku Nousiainen

Living the dream of doing formal research in education while practicing surgery. I devote one-half day per week to research and administrative tasks, but in fact, the only way to do the job appropriately is by working around the hours dedicated to clinical responsibilities.”

You are too worried about the environment you are in. You are trying to impress, so your hands get shaky. If you practice in a low-stress environment first, you can say to yourself, ‘Although I’m in a different environment and people are watching, I know I can do this skill.”

Another orthopedic surgeon, practicing in Sunnybrook, Dr. Markku Nousiainen is an amazing doctor in his field. He has been also deemed as the education champion for his research work and amazing teaching abilities. He openly states that besides his job, he loves teaching residents. He also advocates for a technical exam or a pilot program, in which a graduate orthopedic surgeon would work alongside an experienced surgeon to minimize the risk or the number of failed surgeries. He has also published several articles on the significance of training for residents and joint-related issues.

Specialization

Much like all the doctors on the list, Dr. Nousiainen also specializes in sports medicine. He has a particular interest in elective lower extremity reconstruction, which includes both primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty and orthopedic trauma reconstruction. He is also greatly skilled in the operation room, as he was capable of performing technical tasks, which are usually given to nurses or senior residents, being a junior resident.

I felt I was capable of doing a lot more than what the surgeon was asking me to do. The senior resident was asked to put the screws in, and I thought, ‘I know how to insert those, too!”

Education and Certification

• Bachelor’s Degree, Queen’s University, Canada
• Master of Science in Cell Biology, University of North Carolina
• Doctor of Medicine, University of Toronto
• Residency in FRCSC Orthopedic Surgery, University of Toronto
• Master of Education in Health Professions Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education-University of Toronto
• Fellowship in Adult Lower Extremity Reconstruction, Mount Sinai Hospital-University of Toronto
• Fellowship in Orthopedic Trauma Service, Hospital for Special Surgery-Weill College of Medicine-Cornell University.
• Certified from College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)

Experience

• Over 10 years of experience in the medical field
• Orthopedic Surgeon, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center (2007-Present)
• Associate Professor, the University of Toronto

Achievements

• Best Podium Presentation (2015)

Media Appearances

• Dr. Markku Nousiainen was featured in the Globe and Mail

Dr. Evan Watts

I really enjoy it because I am now with the latest techniques and utilizing the latest research. I am going to see my patients immediately after the surgery, and they are doing so great, they have minimal pain, they are up walking around, and it is really rewarding feature for me, as a surgeon.”

Dr. Evan Watts is one of the top-rated doctors in Toronto. He understoods that it can be extremely difficult for the patient to undergo the surgery, therefore, he ensures the surgery is performed efficiently and the patient doesn’t feel post-operative pain. He also keeps himself up-to-date with the latest findings in the medical world.

Specialization

Dr. Evan Watts specializes in knee and hip replacement surgery. Also, he is one of the few doctors in Toronto that provides outpatient joint replacement surgery, in which a patient only spends one day at the hospital. He is also known to take quick action when it comes to surgeries.

Education and Certification

• Bachelor’s Degree, Queen’s University, Canada
• Doctor of Medicine, Warwick Medical School, United Kingdom
• Residency in Orthopedic Surgery, University of Toronto
• Fellowship, Mount Sinai Hospital
• Certified from College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)

Experience

• Over 5 years of experience in the medical field
• Orthopedic Surgeon, Markham Stouffville Hospital Markham

Media Appearances

• Dr. Evan Watts has been featured in Healthy Together Markham Stouffville Magazine and appeared on 105.9 The Region’s The Feed talk show.