MY SPECIALTIES
SPORTS INJURY
Acute injuries can sideline you for a long time unless managed properly. As a sports medicine doctor, I can assess, order investigations, and direct care with our mutidisciplinary team of physiotherapists, chiropractors, athletic and massage therapists.
​
Our clinic carries a wide range of acute injury care products, such as canes, crutches and braces, to assist you in daily function while you recover.
​
Chronic injuries are often diagnostic mysteries that require experience and a novel approach to solve. These are my favourite kind of challenges.
GOLF INJURIES & GOLF BIOMECHANICS
Titleist Performance Institute trains medical professionals to assess and treat golf injuries as they relate to golf biomechanics. As a Level 2 certified Medical Professional with TPI, I am able to use their system to assess specific characteristics of your body movement and swing that may be leading to injury, then make specific recommendations to solve these issues.
As a 24 handicap, I live by the adage: Those who cannot do...teach!
HOCKEY INJURIES
In my role with the NHL Players' Association, I am called upon to solve difficult cases. I've seen many professional, elite amateur and recreational hockey players over my long career.
RUNNING INJURIES & GAIT BIOMECHANICS
Gait analysis assesses the biomechanics of your running. This gives us insight into the reason for problems occurring. I've helped thousands of runners, including professional racers, resume running after an injury, or prevent injury through appropriate training.
TENNIS INJURIES
Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, and rotator cuff tendinitis often occur in tennis players. Sometimes these issues are the product of poor stroke mechanics, ill-fitted equipment, or just volume of play or practice. Physiotherapy, injections or elbow bands can all be helpful in treatment.
CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT
Concussions are no longer treated with just rest in a dark room. In fact, this old school approach can lead to a poorer outcome. Working with our specially trained therapy team, I will assess you, and help manage your recovery, including return to school or return to work planning. I previously served as the Lead Physician for the Acquired Brain Injury Program at Bridgepoint Hospital (formerly Riverdale Hospital).
ACL INJURIES
An acute injury of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee can be devastating. These injuries occur 3 times more often in women than men! Appropriate investigations such as an MRI, a quick referral to a surgeon when needed, bracing, and pre- and post-operative rehabilitation are all critical elements to dealing with ACL injuries.
​
An 11-step program of exercises can be taught to female athletes to reduce their risk of ACL injury by as much as 40%.
FOOT BIOMECHANICS AND ORTHOTIC CARE
The feet are the foundation of the body. Poor foot structure can lead to foot pain, knee pain, back pain and other issues. Understanding foot structure and foot biomechanics helps our team understand the cause of your problem, not just the symptoms your problem creates. Orthotic care is not necessary in many people; it is overprescribed in many cases. We have almost as many cases where we tell people to stop wearing orthotics as cases where we tell them they need orthotics.
REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURIES
Many of us spend hours and hours in front of computers in the course of our workday, but also outside of work. Poor posture, poor ergonomics, or just volume of work can lead to tendinitis, neck pain, back pain, and many other ailments. A 360 degree approach looking at all these factors is more successful in solving the problem than just medication or therapy alone.
PERFORMING ARTS & DANCE MEDICINE
I'm a singer, jazz trombonist, songwriter, and terrible guitarist! I have been taking care of performing artists for many years, including many musicians, singers and dancers. I have consulted for The Adult School of the National Ballet, Ballet Jürgen, Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre, and the dance company at York University, where I was an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Dance. I have been involved in backstage care for Mirvish Productions for over 10 years, and have been a consultant for Disney and Cirque du Soleil.
OSTEOARTHRITIS MANAGEMENT: HYALURONATE OR PLATELET RICH PLASMA INJECTIONS
There are many non-surgical treatment options for treating osteoarthritis, including injection of hyaluronate, a naturally occurring molecule in the joint needed to maintain joint fluid viscosity. In an arthritic joint, the level of hyaluronate falls, reducing the ability of the synovial (joint) fluid to absorb shock and protect the joint from damage. Hyaluronate can be synthesized in the lab, and is injected into the joint once to twice per year, reducing pain and improving function in arthritic joints. There are some studies to suggest that regular injection of hyaluronate may delay the need for joint replacement surgery.
Platelet rich plasma (or PRP) injections can also help to reduce pain and improve function in arthritis, using the body's natural healing powers. A small sample of blood is drawn, and spun in a centrifuge, removing the red and white blood cells, leaving only the plasma, which contains all the healing factors in the blood. This is then injected into the arthritic joint. All of this is done at a single appointment.