Dr. Fathi El Hadi Abuzgaya – Orthopedic Surgeon | Ajax, ON

Dr. Fathi El Hadi Abuzgaya is a Orthopedic Surgeon. Practicing at Markham Stouffville Health Centre in Ajax, ON, Dr. Hadi is dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-focused care in Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Hadi 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. Hadi 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. Fathi El Hadi Abuzgaya earned a Medical Degree from Garyounis University, Libya, graduating in 1981. Subsequently, Dr. Hadi completed extensive specialty training and achieved Fellowship with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC) in Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Hadi brings extensive clinical and surgical experience to the practice. Dr. Hadi's expertise encompasses Specialty Practice in Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Hadi 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. Hadi's surgical practice philosophy include: a focus on restoring function and mobility, aiming to help patients return to their desired activities as safely and quickly as possible; exploring non-operative treatments thoroughly before considering surgery, when appropriate. Dr. Hadi is fluent in English and also offers consultations in Arabic.

As an Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Fathi El Hadi Abuzgaya diagnoses and treats a wide spectrum of injuries and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, including but not limited to:

Traumatic Injuries

• 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.
• Complex Musculoskeletal Trauma: Specialized care for severe injuries involving multiple fractures, open fractures, pelvic fractures, or significant soft tissue damage.

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: Treating recurrent shoulder dislocations and instability, often involving arthroscopic repair of the labrum (Bankart repair) or other stabilizing procedures.
• Meniscus Tears: Treating a common knee injury that can cause pain, swelling, and mechanical symptoms.
• Ligament Tears (e.g., ACL, MCL, Rotator Cuff): Diagnosing and treating tears of major ligaments in the knee (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL), shoulder (rotator cuff, labrum), ankle, and elbow, often requiring surgical repair or reconstruction.

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: Comprehensive treatment including non-surgical options (medication, injections, therapy) and surgical joint replacement when indicated.

Bone Joint Disorders General

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

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

• Knee Replacement Surgery (Total & Partial): Advanced techniques to restore knee function and alleviate pain through arthroplasty.
• Shoulder Replacement Surgery: Performing total shoulder arthroplasty and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for conditions like osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tear arthropathy, and complex fractures.
• Fracture Management (Surgical & Non-Surgical): Managing all types of fractures, from simple to complex, ensuring proper alignment and stability.
• Comprehensive Orthopedic Consultation: Expert evaluation to diagnose injuries and disorders of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves.
• Total Joint Replacement (Arthroplasty): Comprehensive care for patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty, from pre-operative planning to post-operative rehabilitation.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Hadi. 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. Fathi El Hadi Abuzgaya 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 Markham Stouffville Health Centre, the focus is on partnering with you to restore function, alleviate pain, and help you return to your desired activities. Dr. Hadi frequently works with patients towards outcomes such as:

• Patients experiencing having a 'frozen shoulder' that's very stiff and painful often express a desire to improve their physical function and reduce pain. At Dr. Hadi's practice, a key objective is improved hand or foot function for daily activities, which directly supports their ability to fully engage in carrying a backpack or handbag without shoulder or back pain.
• If pain and weakness after a bad fall or accident has unfortunately put kneeling down or squatting without severe pain (for knee/hip issues) on hold or made it less enjoyable, Dr. Hadi works closely with patients towards attaining an effective surgical or non-surgical treatment plan tailored to their needs, effectively helping them regain their previous level of physical function and confidence.
• Effectively addressing needing a joint replacement because of severe arthritis with Dr. Hadi's comprehensive orthopedic approach often leads to the desired outcome of improved mobility and ability to walk, climb stairs, or move more freely, enabling patients to more freely and confidently engage in performing personal hygiene tasks independently and social interactions.

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

Dr. Hadi's practice, Markham Stouffville Health Centre, is situated in the Southwood, Pickering Beach neighborhood of Ajax. The clinic is conveniently located near Lakeridge Health Ajax Pickering and is accessible via Durham Region Transit (DRT). Patient parking, including accessible spots, is typically available.

Are services provided by an Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Hadi 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. Hadi are typically covered by provincial health plans such as the 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 Markham Stouffville 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. Hadi 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. Hadi 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. Hadi treat broken bones (fractures)?

Orthopedic Surgeons like Dr. Hadi 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. Hadi 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. Hadi at Markham Stouffville 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. Hadi 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. Hadi 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. Hadi do?

An Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Hadi 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. Hadi?

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

Markham Stouffville Health Centre
Unit Suite 408, 65 Bayly Street West, Suite 408
Ajax, ON, L1S 0G2

Phone: (905) 426-2233

Dr. Fathi El Hadi Abuzgaya 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: 55140

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Abuzgaya-Fathi-El-Hadi/0041164-55140

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