Dr. David Alexander Puskas – Orthopedic Surgeon | Thunder Bay, ON

Dr. David Alexander Puskas is a Orthopedic Surgeon. Practicing at North York General Hospital in Thunder Bay, ON, Dr. Puskas is dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-focused care in Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Puskas 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. Puskas 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. David Alexander Puskas earned a Medical Degree from University Of Toronto, graduating in 1991. Subsequently, Dr. Puskas completed extensive specialty training and achieved Fellowship with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC) in Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Puskas brings extensive clinical and surgical experience to the practice. Dr. Puskas's expertise encompasses Specialty Practice in Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Puskas 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. Puskas's surgical practice philosophy include: a dedication to surgical excellence and achieving optimal outcomes for every patient; a focus on restoring function and mobility, aiming to help patients return to their desired activities as safely and quickly as possible; a patient-centered approach, ensuring that treatment decisions are made collaboratively with the patient's goals and lifestyle in mind. Dr. Puskas provides consultations in English.

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

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.
• Dislocations: Managing joint dislocations where bones are forced out of their normal position, often requiring reduction and immobilization.
• Sprains and Strains: Care for common soft tissue injuries resulting from trauma or overuse.

Bone Joint Disorders General

• Tendonitis and Bursitis (Persistent/Severe): Surgical management for chronic or severe cases of tendon inflammation (tendonitis) or bursa inflammation (bursitis) unresponsive to conservative care.
• Nonunions and Malunions of Fractures: Reconstructive procedures to promote bone healing and restore proper alignment.
• Bone Infections (Osteomyelitis - Surgical Debridement): Surgical debridement and management of bone infections, often in conjunction with long-term antibiotic therapy.

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.
• Osteoarthritis: Helping patients cope with the effects of degenerative joint disease on mobility and quality of life.
• Avascular Necrosis (Osteonecrosis): Interventions may include core decompression or joint replacement depending on the stage.

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

• Non-Operative Orthopedic Care: Comprehensive non-surgical management strategies to alleviate pain, improve function, and promote healing.
• Shoulder Replacement Surgery: Performing total shoulder arthroplasty and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for conditions like osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tear arthropathy, and complex fractures.
• Total Joint Replacement (Arthroplasty): Specialized surgical procedures to replace damaged joints with artificial implants.
• Comprehensive Orthopedic Consultation: In-depth consultation to determine the cause of musculoskeletal pain, instability, or dysfunction and to develop a personalized care plan.
• Hip Replacement Surgery (Total & Partial): Expertise in various surgical approaches and implant choices for hip replacement.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Puskas. 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. David Alexander Puskas 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 North York General Hospital, the focus is on partnering with you to restore function, alleviate pain, and help you return to your desired activities. Dr. Puskas frequently works with patients towards outcomes such as:

• Through Dr. Puskas's skilled guidance and modern surgical techniques, patients suffering from a previous surgery that didn't heal right or is still causing problems often find they can readily achieve increased stability in an unstable joint and once again enthusiastically pursue enjoyable pastimes like lifting groceries, a child, or other everyday objects.
• Many people seek Dr. Puskas's professional help and expertise when dealing with their knee pain getting so bad they can barely walk or climb stairs. The mutually agreed upon, collaborative goal is consistently improved mobility and ability to walk, climb stairs, or move more freely, allowing a confident and satisfying return to valued life activities like being able to reaching overhead or behind their back comfortably (for shoulder issues).
• The primary focus for patients seeking help for chronic pain in a joint that hasn't responded to other treatments at Dr. Puskas's practice is consistently achieving successful removal or treatment of a bone or soft tissue tumor. This facilitates a confident and meaningful return to valued daily activities such as typing, writing, or using tools without hand or wrist pain.

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

Dr. Puskas's practice, North York General Hospital, is situated in the Port Arthur Central (Downtown North Core, Waterfront area) neighborhood of Thunder Bay. The clinic is conveniently located near Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) and is accessible via Thunder Bay Transit. Please inquire about parking options if you have mobility concerns.

What is joint replacement surgery, and when might Dr. Puskas 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. Puskas 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.

Are services provided by an Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Puskas 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. Puskas 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 North York General 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. Puskas at North York General 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. Puskas 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. Puskas 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. Puskas do?

An Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Puskas 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 does Dr. Puskas treat broken bones (fractures)?

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

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

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

North York General Hospital
Unit Room 1NW-126, 984 Oliver Road, Room 1NW-126
Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 7C7

Phone: (807) 344-1123

Dr. David Alexander Puskas 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: 64133

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Puskas-David-Alexander/0050154-64133

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