Dr. Darren Lucien de SA

As an Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Darren Lucien de SA diagnoses and treats a wide spectrum of injuries and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, including but not limited to:

Bone Joint Disorders General

• Bone Infections (Osteomyelitis - Surgical Debridement): Surgical debridement and management of bone infections, often in conjunction with long-term antibiotic therapy.
• 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.

Sports Injuries

• Tendon Injuries (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Biceps Tendon Rupture): Surgical and non-surgical management of acute tendon ruptures and chronic tendinopathies.
• Shoulder Instability and Dislocations: Addressing problems that cause the shoulder joint to slip out of place.
• Meniscus Tears: Treating a common knee injury that can cause pain, swelling, and mechanical symptoms.
• Ligament Tears (e.g., ACL, MCL, Rotator Cuff): Specialized care for common sports-related ligamentous injuries.

Traumatic Injuries

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

Degenerative Joint Diseases

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (Orthopedic Management): Surgical and non-surgical management of joint damage and deformities caused by rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory arthropathies.
• 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.

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. SA, typically following referral. If your specific concern isn't listed, please discuss with your referring physician or contact the clinic.

• Hip Replacement Surgery (Total & Partial): Surgical reconstruction of the hip joint, including total hip arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty, for conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or hip fractures.
• Diagnostic Imaging Interpretation (Musculoskeletal): Integrating imaging findings with clinical assessment to guide treatment decisions.
• Complex Fracture and Trauma Surgery: Advanced surgical techniques for managing complex musculoskeletal trauma.
• Total Joint Replacement (Arthroplasty): Specialized surgical procedures to replace damaged joints with artificial implants.
• Non-Operative Orthopedic Care: Exploring all appropriate non-operative avenues before considering surgery.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. SA. 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. Darren Lucien de SA 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 St Joseph's Health Centre, the focus is on partnering with you to restore function, alleviate pain, and help you return to your desired activities. Dr. SA frequently works with patients towards outcomes such as:

• When patients discuss a torn ACL or meniscus in their knee from a sports injury, Dr. SA outlines a path to significant pain relief in their affected joint or limb, aiming to restore not just musculoskeletal health but also the ability to comfortably performing personal hygiene tasks independently.
• For those individuals challenged by the daily effects of numbness and tingling in their hand, especially at night (like carpal tunnel), Dr. SA offers tailored strategies and effective treatments to reach feeling more confident in their physical abilities. This positive change can mean rediscovering the simple joy of carrying a backpack or handbag without shoulder or back pain.
• A frequent and rewarding goal for patients seeing Dr. SA about a bunion on their foot that's causing a lot of pain is to attain alleviation of back or neck pain after appropriate intervention. This success not only improves musculoskeletal health but also paves the way for them to re-engage with activities like dressing themselves, including putting on socks and shoes.

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

Dr. SA's practice, St Joseph's Health Centre, is situated in a central location within the Stoney Creek neighborhood of Stoney Creek. The clinic is conveniently located near local healthcare facilities and community services and is accessible via major local public transit routes. Patient parking, including accessible spots, is typically available.

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

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. SA will discuss the expected recovery timeline for a specific procedure during the pre-operative consultation.

Are services provided by an Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. SA 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. SA 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 St Joseph's Health Centre about any potential out-of-pocket costs and to check with their private insurance, if any, regarding coverage for adjunctive therapies or devices.

What is joint replacement surgery, and when might Dr. SA recommend it?

Joint replacement surgery, or arthroplasty, is a procedure where damaged or arthritic parts of a joint (like the hip, knee, or shoulder) are removed and replaced with artificial components (prostheses) made of metal, plastic, or ceramic. Dr. SA might recommend joint replacement if a patient has severe joint pain and loss of function, typically due to advanced osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or a significant injury, and non-surgical treatments (like medication, injections, physiotherapy) are no longer providing adequate relief. The goal is to reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance quality of life.

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

Orthopedic Surgeons like Dr. SA 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. SA will determine the most appropriate treatment to ensure the bone heals correctly and function is restored.

What can I expect at my first orthopedic consultation with Dr. SA at St Joseph's Health Centre?

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. SA 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. SA 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. SA do?

An Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. SA 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.

St Joseph's Health Centre
14-840 Queenston Rd
Stoney Creek, ON, L8G 4A8

Phone: (289) 674-4400

Dr. Darren Lucien de SA 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: 98654

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/de-SA-Darren-Lucien/0280773-98654

A referral from a family physician or another specialist is generally required to see Dr. SA. Dr. SA 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.