Dr. Aaron Thomas Bigham – Orthopedic Surgeon | Woodstock, ON

Dr. Aaron Thomas Bigham is a Orthopedic Surgeon. Practicing at Juravinski Hospital in Woodstock, ON, Dr. Bigham is dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-focused care in Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Bigham is licensed by The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and adheres to the highest professional and ethical standards of surgical practice in ON. Dr. Bigham serves patients requiring specialized orthopedic care as a certified specialist in Orthopedic Surgery, dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of injuries and diseases of the body's musculoskeletal system. This includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves. The goal is to restore function, alleviate pain, and improve quality of life through both surgical and non-surgical means.

Dr. Aaron Thomas Bigham earned a Medical Degree from University Of Toronto, graduating in 2006. Subsequently, Dr. Bigham completed extensive specialty training and achieved Fellowship with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC) in Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Bigham brings extensive clinical and surgical experience to the practice. Dr. Bigham's expertise encompasses Specialty Practice in Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Bigham is committed to ongoing professional development and staying at the forefront of orthopedic advancements to offer the best possible care to patients.

Key aspects of Dr. Bigham's surgical practice philosophy include: a dedication to surgical excellence and achieving optimal outcomes for every patient; exploring non-operative treatments thoroughly before considering surgery, when appropriate; a focus on restoring function and mobility, aiming to help patients return to their desired activities as safely and quickly as possible. Dr. Bigham provides consultations in English.

As an Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Aaron Thomas Bigham diagnoses and treats a wide spectrum of injuries and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, including but not limited to:

Degenerative Joint Diseases

• Osteoarthritis: Managing joint pain, stiffness, and loss of function caused by wear-and-tear arthritis affecting joints like the hip, knee, shoulder, hand, or spine.
• Avascular Necrosis (Osteonecrosis): Treating bone death caused by a loss of blood supply, commonly affecting the hip, knee, or shoulder, which can lead to joint collapse.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (Orthopedic Management): Surgical and non-surgical management of joint damage and deformities caused by rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory arthropathies.

Sports Injuries

• Shoulder Instability and Dislocations: Treating recurrent shoulder dislocations and instability, often involving arthroscopic repair of the labrum (Bankart repair) or other stabilizing procedures.
• Ligament Tears (e.g., ACL, MCL, Rotator Cuff): Specialized care for common sports-related ligamentous injuries.
• Tendon Injuries (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Biceps Tendon Rupture): Repairing torn tendons to restore strength and function.
• Meniscus Tears: Treating a common knee injury that can cause pain, swelling, and mechanical symptoms.

Bone Joint Disorders General

• Nonunions and Malunions of Fractures: Reconstructive procedures to promote bone healing and restore proper alignment.
• Tendonitis and Bursitis (Persistent/Severe): Procedures such as debridement or bursectomy when indicated.

Traumatic Injuries

• Sprains and Strains: Diagnosing and treating ligament sprains (stretching or tearing of ligaments) and muscle/tendon strains (injuries to muscles or tendons).
• Fractures (Broken Bones): Comprehensive care for broken bones, ensuring proper alignment, healing, and restoration of function.
• Complex Musculoskeletal Trauma: Specialized care for severe injuries involving multiple fractures, open fractures, pelvic fractures, or significant soft tissue damage.

This list provides examples of conditions commonly managed. A comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan, which may be surgical or non-surgical, are always based on an individual assessment by Dr. Bigham, typically following referral. If your specific concern isn't listed, please discuss with your referring physician or contact the clinic.

• Shoulder Replacement Surgery: Performing total shoulder arthroplasty and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for conditions like osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tear arthropathy, and complex fractures.
• Complex Fracture and Trauma Surgery: Reconstructive surgery for severe bone and joint injuries.
• Therapeutic Joint and Soft Tissue Injections: Administering injections such as corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation), or local anesthetics into joints or soft tissues to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Fracture Management (Surgical & Non-Surgical): Expert treatment of broken bones in adults and children, aiming for optimal healing and functional recovery.
• Total Joint Replacement (Arthroplasty): Performing primary and revision hip, knee, and shoulder replacement surgeries to relieve pain and restore function in patients with advanced arthritis or joint damage.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Bigham. Not all services may be listed, and the suitability of any procedure or treatment depends on individual assessment and referral. For a comprehensive understanding or to discuss your specific medical needs, please schedule a consultation.

All surgical and non-surgical treatments by Dr. Aaron Thomas Bigham adhere to the scope of practice for Orthopedic Surgeons in ON and the standards of The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).

At Juravinski Hospital, the focus is on partnering with you to restore function, alleviate pain, and help you return to your desired activities. Dr. Bigham frequently works with patients towards outcomes such as:

• It's always a professional highlight for Dr. Bigham to see patients who were troubled by their fingers getting stuck in a bent position (trigger finger) successfully achieve the ability to participate more fully in family and social life. This directly translates to their ability to return to and enjoy important activities like getting in and out of a car or chair without difficulty.
• Many people seek Dr. Bigham's professional help and expertise when dealing with a work-related injury to their bones or joints. The mutually agreed upon, collaborative goal is consistently improved quality of life due to reduced pain and better physical function, allowing a confident and satisfying return to valued life activities like being able to lifting groceries, a child, or other everyday objects.
• Managing numbness and tingling in their hand, especially at night (like carpal tunnel) effectively and proactively is a top priority for Dr. Bigham and the medical team. The clear aim is always learning strategies to prevent re-injury or manage their chronic condition, which directly helps patients get back to enjoying gardening, doing housework, or performing yard work and their daily routines without severe physical hindrance.

Your personalized treatment plan, whether surgical or non-surgical, developed in consultation with Dr. Bigham, will be carefully designed to help you achieve your specific musculoskeletal goals. Dr. Bigham is committed to providing expert orthopedic care to help you regain mobility and improve your quality of life.

Dr. Bigham's practice is located at Juravinski Hospital, situated in a central location within the Woodstock neighborhood of Woodstock. The clinic is conveniently located near local healthcare facilities and community services and is accessible via major local public transit routes. Please inquire about parking options if you have mobility concerns.

How does Dr. Bigham treat broken bones (fractures)?

Orthopedic Surgeons like Dr. Bigham are experts in treating all types of bone fractures. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the fracture, its location, and the patient's overall health. Non-surgical treatment may involve realigning the bone (reduction) and then immobilizing it with a cast, splint, or brace to allow it to heal. Surgical treatment might be necessary for more complex fractures, open fractures (where the bone breaks the skin), or fractures that are unlikely to heal well with casting alone. Surgical options include internal fixation (using plates, screws, rods, or pins to hold the bone pieces together) or external fixation (using a frame outside the body connected to pins in the bone). Dr. Bigham will determine the most appropriate treatment to ensure the bone heals correctly and function is restored.

Are services provided by an Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Bigham covered by provincial health insurance (e.g., Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP))?

Most physician consultations, medically necessary assessments, and approved surgical procedures by a registered Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Bigham are typically covered by provincial health plans such as Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON, provided the patient has a valid health card and appropriate referral. Diagnostic imaging ordered is also usually covered. However, some specific items like certain braces, custom orthotics, or advanced biologic injections may not be fully covered or may have associated fees. It's always best for patients to inquire with Juravinski Hospital about any potential out-of-pocket costs and to check with their private insurance, if any, regarding coverage for adjunctive therapies or devices.

What can I expect at my first orthopedic consultation with Dr. Bigham at Juravinski Hospital?

The first visit will typically involve a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. This includes a detailed discussion of the patient's medical history, the specific problem (e.g., pain, injury, loss of function), how it started, what makes it better or worse, and its impact on daily activities and quality of life. Dr. Bigham will review any previous treatments and will perform a thorough physical examination of the affected area(s), assessing range of motion, strength, stability, and tenderness. Any prior imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scans) will be reviewed. Based on this evaluation, Dr. Bigham will discuss their diagnostic impressions, may recommend further investigations if needed, and will outline potential treatment options, both non-surgical and surgical, working with the patient to establish goals.

What does an Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Bigham do?

An Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Bigham is a medical doctor (physician) who specializes in diagnosing, treating, preventing, and rehabilitating injuries and diseases of the body's musculoskeletal system. This includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves. They manage a wide range of conditions such as fractures, arthritis, sports injuries, spinal disorders, and congenital deformities. While they are surgeons, Orthopedic Surgeons use both surgical methods (like joint replacements, fracture repair, arthroscopy) and non-surgical methods (like medication, injections, bracing, or recommending physiotherapy) to treat patients. Their goal is to restore function, alleviate pain, and improve quality of life.

How long is the recovery time after orthopedic surgery with Dr. Bigham?

Recovery time after orthopedic surgery varies greatly depending on the type of surgery performed (e.g., arthroscopy vs. joint replacement vs. fracture fixation), the specific joint or bone involved, the patient's age and overall health, and their adherence to the post-operative rehabilitation plan. Some minor procedures may have a recovery of a few weeks, while major surgeries like total joint replacements can take several months for full recovery and return to all activities. Dr. Bigham will discuss the expected recovery timeline for a specific procedure during the pre-operative consultation.

Juravinski Hospital
333 Athlone Avenue, Section B3
Woodstock, ON, N4V 0B8

Phone: (519) 290-9001

Dr. Aaron Thomas Bigham is a licensed Orthopedic Surgeon in ON, regulated by The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 & Medicine Act, 1991 (Ontario).

License Number: 84776

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Bigham-Aaron-Thomas/0233312-84776

A referral from a family physician or another specialist is generally required to see Dr. Bigham. Dr. Bigham and the team are dedicated to providing expert orthopedic care. If you have a medical emergency, please proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department or call 911.