Dr. Sagar Desai

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

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): Repairing torn tendons to restore strength and function.

Degenerative Joint Diseases

• Osteoarthritis: Managing joint pain, stiffness, and loss of function caused by wear-and-tear arthritis affecting joints like the hip, knee, shoulder, hand, or spine.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (Orthopedic Management): Addressing the musculoskeletal consequences of autoimmune joint diseases in collaboration with rheumatologists.

Traumatic Injuries

• Dislocations: Treatment for acute joint instability caused by traumatic displacement of articular surfaces.
• Fractures (Broken Bones): Comprehensive care for broken bones, ensuring proper alignment, healing, and restoration of function.
• Complex Musculoskeletal Trauma: Specialized care for severe injuries involving multiple fractures, open fractures, pelvic fractures, or significant soft tissue damage.

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. Desai, 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.
• Shoulder Replacement Surgery: Surgical solutions to improve shoulder mobility and reduce pain from severe joint damage.
• Complex Fracture and Trauma Surgery: Reconstructive surgery for severe bone and joint injuries.
• 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): Expert review and interpretation of X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds related to orthopedic conditions.

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

• If a shoulder injury from sports that won't heal and keeps them from playing is preventing you from fully enjoying returning to their job, especially if it's physically demanding or causing significant discomfort, Dr. Desai offers expert orthopedic solutions. The primary aim is to achieve an effective surgical or non-surgical treatment plan tailored to their needs through comprehensive and personalized care.
• Dr. Desai's comprehensive care for their child limping or having trouble with their walking is meticulously designed to result in a successful arthroscopic repair of a torn ligament or cartilage. This allows patients to confidently resume important personal or professional activities such as typing, writing, or using tools without hand or wrist pain without musculoskeletal worries.
• A frequent and rewarding goal for patients seeing Dr. Desai about trouble with their Achilles tendon making it painful to walk or run is to attain being able to perform daily self-care tasks independently again. This success not only improves musculoskeletal health but also paves the way for them to re-engage with activities like participating in fitness classes or going to the gym.

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

Dr. Desai's practice, Kingston General Hospital, is situated in the Northwood Park, York University neighborhood of Toronto. The clinic is conveniently located near Exhibition Place and is accessible via TTC (Subway, Streetcar, Bus). Patient parking, including accessible spots, is typically available.

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

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

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

What is the policy regarding missed appointments or late cancellations at Kingston General Hospital for Dr. Desai?

We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise. However, we kindly request at least 72 business hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment with Dr. Desai. This allows us to offer the appointment time to another patient. Appointments cancelled or rescheduled with less than the requested notice, or missed without any notification, may be subject to a cancellation fee of $150. We appreciate your cooperation.

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

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. Desai 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. Desai at Kingston 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. Desai 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. Desai 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. Desai do?

An Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Desai 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.

Do I typically need a referral to see an Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Desai?

Yes, in ON, a referral from a family doctor (GP) or another specialist (e.g., sports medicine physician, rheumatologist) is generally required to see an Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Desai for consultations and potential surgical treatments covered by provincial health plans like Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). This referral helps ensure the consultation is appropriate and that Dr. Desai has the necessary background medical information. Speak with your primary care physician or referring doctor if you believe you need an orthopedic surgical assessment.

Are services provided by an Orthopedic Surgeon like Dr. Desai 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. Desai 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. Inquire with Kingston General Hospital about any potential out-of-pocket costs and check with your private insurance, if any, regarding coverage for adjunctive therapies or devices.

Kingston General Hospital
3695 Keele St, 2nd Floor, Department of Critical Care
Toronto, ON, M3J 1N2

Phone: (647) 484-0677

Dr. Sagar Desai 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: 88787

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Desai-Sagar/0250839-88787

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