Sturgeon making its mark in upper limb orthopedics

ST. ALBERT - With five surgeons and a half-decade of growing expertise, the Upper Limb Orthopedic Program at the Sturgeon Community Hospital has evolved into the top centre providing access to these specialty services across Alberta Health Services’ Edmonton zone, as well as northern Alberta, parts of B.C. and the Northwest Territories.

When it comes to specialized surgeries to restore damaged wrists, elbows, shoulders and related bones, musculatures and tendons, access to the Sturgeon orthopedic team has risen by 51 per cent — from 669 to 1,009 surgeries a year — since the program began in 2005.

“Some of the work we do here is simply not performed elsewhere in our region,” says Dr. Joseph Bergman, chief of surgery for Sturgeon Community Hospital.

“We get referrals from other orthopedic surgeons dealing with upper extremity cases,” he adds. “A lot of trauma comes through here, as well as a lot of complications of trauma like stiffness and arthritis.”

As well as care before and after surgery, and follow-up occupational therapy and rehabilitation, this one-stop wrist-to-shoulder orthopedic facility has mastered the art of making the many complicated splints shaped and molded to the patient’s arm for an exact, individualized fit.

“Some of the more elaborate splints take upwards of three hours to make, because they’re so specialized and because of the mechanics of motion desired,” says Cindy MacVicar, program manager of the Emergency and Out Patient Departments.

“We take a unique approach for each patient,” says Treena Hinse, unit manager of Rehabilitation Services and the Adult Day Program. “It has to be that way to be effective, as no two injuries are exactly alike.”

One patient, Lorin Milton, 39, recalls September 16, 2009, vividly: “My wife Tricia and I were loading furniture in the back of my truck. I slipped on the wire that holds up the tailgate. I fell on my right arm. I broke my forearm in three spots, dislocated my elbow and ripped and tore tendons and ligaments.”

Now a first-time father, Milton credits his surgery and ongoing care for giving him the strength to hold his baby girl. “It’s remarkable. It’s awesome. I don’t know what I’d be able to do if I couldn’t hold her.”

“Our Upper Limb Orthopedic Program has become very important in supporting the orthopedic work that happens within the Edmonton zone for Alberta Health Services,” says Wendy Tanaka-Collins, site director for Sturgeon Community Hospital.

Other orthopedic surgeons in the program include: Dr. Aleem Lalani, Dr. David Sheps, Dr. Raj Narang and Dr. Robert Chan.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.7 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

• News release

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