Dr. Robert George Josefchak

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

Degenerative Joint Diseases

• Avascular Necrosis (Osteonecrosis): Interventions may include core decompression or joint replacement depending on the stage.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (Orthopedic Management): Surgical and non-surgical management of joint damage and deformities caused by rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory arthropathies.

Sports Injuries

• Tendon Injuries (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Biceps Tendon Rupture): Surgical and non-surgical management of acute tendon ruptures and chronic tendinopathies.
• 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.
• Meniscus Tears: Treating a common knee injury that can cause pain, swelling, and mechanical symptoms.

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: Surgical correction of fractures that have failed to heal (nonunion) or have healed in an incorrect position (malunion).
• Bone Infections (Osteomyelitis - Surgical Debridement): Surgical debridement and management of bone infections, often in conjunction with long-term antibiotic therapy.

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

• 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.
• Complex Fracture and Trauma Surgery: Advanced surgical techniques for managing complex musculoskeletal trauma.
• 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): Surgical reconstruction of the hip joint, including total hip arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty, for conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or hip fractures.
• Total Joint Replacement (Arthroplasty): Specialized surgical procedures to replace damaged joints with artificial implants.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Josefchak. 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. Robert George Josefchak 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 Northeastern Ontario Regional, the focus is on partnering with you to restore function, alleviate pain, and help you return to your desired activities. Dr. Josefchak frequently works with patients towards outcomes such as:

• At Dr. Josefchak's clinic, addressing arthritis in their hands making it hard to grip things means focusing on patient goals. Achieving feeling empowered to take an active role in their recovery and rehabilitation helps them get back to enjoying life, including being able to playing their favorite sport (e.g., hockey, soccer, tennis, golf).
• Many people seek Dr. Josefchak's professional help and expertise when dealing with a growth or lump on one of their bones or in their muscles. The mutually agreed upon, collaborative goal is consistently being able to return to sports or recreational activities they enjoy, allowing a confident and satisfying return to valued life activities like being able to climbing stairs easily and without holding on for dear life.
• For those individuals challenged by the daily effects of their fingers getting stuck in a bent position (trigger finger), Dr. Josefchak offers tailored strategies and effective treatments to reach being able to sleep better without being woken by musculoskeletal pain. This positive change can mean rediscovering the simple joy of participating in fitness classes or going to the gym.

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

Dr. Josefchak's practice, Northeastern Ontario Regional, is situated in the Port Dalhousie neighborhood of St. Catharines. The clinic is conveniently located near Brock University and is accessible via Niagara Region Transit (NRT). Patient parking, including accessible spots, is typically available.

Are services provided by an Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Josefchak 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. Josefchak 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 Northeastern Ontario Regional 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. Josefchak do?

An Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Josefchak 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 can I expect at my first orthopedic consultation with Dr. Josefchak at Northeastern Ontario Regional?

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. Josefchak 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. Josefchak 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.

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

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

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

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

Northeastern Ontario Regional
1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Cancer Centre
St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1

Phone: (905) 688-5550

Dr. Robert George Josefchak 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: 50864

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Josefchak-Robert-George/0036888-50864

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