Dr. Emil Harald Schemitsch

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

Traumatic Injuries

• 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.
• Complex Musculoskeletal Trauma: Advanced surgical management for high-energy trauma affecting the musculoskeletal system.

Bone Joint Disorders General

• Nonunions and Malunions of Fractures: Reconstructive procedures to promote bone healing and restore proper alignment.
• Bone Infections (Osteomyelitis - Surgical Debridement): Operative treatment to remove infected bone and tissue.
• Tendonitis and Bursitis (Persistent/Severe): Surgical management for chronic or severe cases of tendon inflammation (tendonitis) or bursa inflammation (bursitis) unresponsive to conservative care.

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.

Sports Injuries

• Meniscus Tears: Managing tears of the meniscus (cartilage pads in the knee) through conservative treatment or arthroscopic surgery (repair or meniscectomy).
• 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.
• Ligament Tears (e.g., ACL, MCL, Rotator Cuff): Arthroscopic and open surgical techniques for ligament repair and reconstruction.

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

• General Orthopedic Surgical Procedures: Surgical treatment for common bone, joint, and soft tissue disorders as per established orthopedic principles.
• Complex Fracture and Trauma Surgery: Advanced surgical techniques for managing complex musculoskeletal trauma.
• Non-Operative Orthopedic Care: Comprehensive non-surgical management strategies to alleviate pain, improve function, and promote healing.
• Comprehensive Orthopedic Consultation: In-depth consultation to determine the cause of musculoskeletal pain, instability, or dysfunction and to develop a personalized care plan.
• 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.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Schemitsch. 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. Emil Harald Schemitsch 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 Dr. Emil Harald Schemitsch's practice, the focus is on partnering with you to restore function, alleviate pain, and help you return to your desired activities. Dr. Schemitsch frequently works with patients towards outcomes such as:

• A key objective when treating numbness and tingling in their hand, especially at night (like carpal tunnel) at Dr. Schemitsch's welcoming clinic is achieving a successful arthroscopic repair of a torn ligament or cartilage. This directly supports a comfortable, confident, and lasting return to important activities like returning to their job, especially if it's physically demanding.
• Dr. Schemitsch often consults with patients whose pain and weakness after a bad fall or accident significantly limits their enjoyment of performing personal hygiene tasks independently or impacts their well-being. The clear goal of care is to achieve being able to sleep better without being woken by musculoskeletal pain and thereby restore their active and healthy lifestyle.
• Dr. Schemitsch's comprehensive care for a growth or lump on one of their bones or in their muscles is meticulously designed to result in improved mobility and ability to walk, climb stairs, or move more freely. This allows patients to confidently resume important personal or professional activities such as walking without a limp or significant pain without musculoskeletal worries.

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

Dr. Schemitsch's practice, an orthopedic clinic in London, is situated in the Downtown London, North London East neighborhood. The clinic is conveniently located near Westmount Area and is accessible via London Transit Commission (LTC). Please inquire about parking options if you have mobility concerns.

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

Orthopedic Surgeons like Dr. Schemitsch 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. Schemitsch 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. Schemitsch 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. Schemitsch 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 the clinic about any potential out-of-pocket costs and to check with their private insurance, if any, regarding coverage for adjunctive therapies or devices.

What does an Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Schemitsch do?

An Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Schemitsch 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.

What is joint replacement surgery, and when might Dr. Schemitsch 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. Schemitsch 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 long is the recovery time after orthopedic surgery with Dr. Schemitsch?

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

What can I expect at my first orthopedic consultation with Dr. Schemitsch at the clinic?

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. Schemitsch 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. Schemitsch 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.

339 Windermere Road
London, ON, N6A 5A5

Phone: (519) 663-3307

Dr. Emil Harald Schemitsch 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: 54083

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Schemitsch-Emil-Harald/0040107-54083

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