Orthopaedic Expertise

Services & Procedures

Comprehensive orthopaedic surgical care — from day-surgery joint replacement to arthroscopy, trauma management, and sports injuries.

Joint Replacement

Total Knee Arthroplasty

Dr. Watts performs total knee arthroplasty (TKA) as a day-surgery procedure at Oak Valley Health's Markham Stouffville Hospital, using the Stryker Triathlon Total Knee System. Most patients are mobile and return home the same day of surgery.

TKA is indicated for end-stage knee arthritis that has not responded to conservative measures, and is one of the most effective and reproducible surgical interventions in orthopaedics.

Indications

Primary
Osteoarthritis
Most common indication — end-stage degenerative joint disease
Inflammatory
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Inflammatory arthritis with cartilage destruction
Post-Traumatic
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Arthritis following prior knee fracture or injury
Implant
Stryker Triathlon
State-of-the-art total knee system with multiradius design
Fixation
Cemented or Uncemented
Fixation method selected based on bone quality, age, and patient-specific factors

Recovery Timeline

Driving
6 weeks
Right knee. Left knee may be sooner with automatic transmission
Heavy Lifting
3 months
Avoid heavy loads until bone integration is confirmed
Return to Sports
3 months
Most patients can return to virtually all activities at 3 months

Stryker Consultant Disclosure: Dr. Watts is a paid consultant for Stryker Orthopaedics and uses Stryker implant systems in his surgical practice. This relationship is fully disclosed to all patients.

Oak Valley Health has produced a comprehensive patient information booklet covering what to expect before, during, and after total knee replacement.

Download Knee Replacement Booklet (PDF) →
Joint Replacement

Total Hip Arthroplasty

Dr. Watts uses the direct anterior approach — often called the "bikini incision" technique — for total hip arthroplasty (THA). This muscle-sparing approach accesses the hip through a natural interval between muscles without cutting through or detaching them.

Dr. Watts uses the Stryker Trident cup, Accolade II stem, and Insignia stem system, paired with ceramic femoral heads for superior wear performance. Most patients with appropriate medical fitness are eligible for day surgery. Hip precautions are not required in most cases due to the preserved soft tissue envelope.

Approach Advantages

Muscle-sparing

No major muscle detachment — reduced pain and faster functional recovery

No hip precautions

Preserved soft tissue envelope provides inherent stability in most patients

Day surgery eligible

Many patients return home same day with appropriate support

Absorbable sutures — no removal needed

The incision is closed entirely with internal absorbable sutures for a cosmetic finish. No staples, no clips, and no post-operative suture removal appointment required.

Implant System

Acetabular Cup
Stryker Trident
Porous titanium uncemented cup for biological fixation
Femoral Stem
Accolade II / Insignia
Selected based on patient anatomy — both provide excellent proximal fixation
Femoral Head
Ceramic
Ceramic heads offer superior hardness and reduced wear debris compared to metal
Bearing Surface
Ceramic on XLPE
Highly cross-linked polyethylene liner — exceptional long-term wear characteristics

Oak Valley Health has produced a comprehensive patient information booklet covering what to expect before, during, and after total hip replacement.

Download Hip Replacement Booklet (PDF) →
Post-Op Protocols → Full FAQ
Sports & Arthroscopic Surgery

ACL Reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is performed arthroscopically using autograft tissue harvested from the patient's own body. Dr. Watts tailors the graft choice to each patient's anatomy, activity goals, and knee anatomy.

The procedure involves creating a new ligament graft through drill tunnels in the femur and tibia, restoring rotational stability to the knee. Rehabilitation is critical to achieving full return to sport.

Graft Options

BTB Autograft
Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone
Gold standard for athletes — bone-to-bone healing, excellent stability
Hamstring Autograft
Semitendinosus / Gracilis
Reduced donor site morbidity — preferred for certain patient profiles
Technique
Arthroscopic
Minimally invasive — anatomic tunnel placement under direct visualization
Return to Sport
9–12 months
With appropriate rehabilitation and objective functional clearance
ACL Recovery Protocols →
Minimally Invasive Surgery

Meniscal & Knee Arthroscopy

Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique using a small camera (arthroscope) inserted through tiny incisions to diagnose and treat a range of intra-articular conditions. Most procedures are performed as day surgery with rapid recovery.

Conditions Treated

Meniscal Tears
Repair vs. Partial Meniscectomy
Treatment approach guided by tear pattern, location, and patient factors
Cartilage
Chondral Lesion Treatment
Debridement, microfracture, or biological resurfacing techniques
Synovium
Synovectomy
Removal of inflamed synovial tissue for inflammatory arthropathies
Loose Bodies
Loose Body Removal
Extraction of fragments causing mechanical locking or pain

Meniscal Preservation

Dr. Watts prioritizes meniscal repair over partial meniscectomy when the tear pattern and tissue quality are amenable to repair. Preserving meniscal tissue protects the underlying cartilage and reduces long-term risk of knee osteoarthritis.

Acute & Complex Fractures

Trauma & Fracture Management

Dr. Watts manages acute fractures and complex peri-articular fractures at two hospital sites, offering accessible trauma care for patients in the York Region and City of Kawartha Lakes.

Services & Sites

Acute Fractures
Fracture Stabilization
Surgical fixation using plates, screws, nails, and external fixation as indicated
Complex Cases
Peri-Articular Fractures
Distal femur, proximal tibia, tibial plateau, and complex periarticular injuries
Primary Site
Oak Valley Health
Markham Stouffville Hospital — York Region
Oak Valley Fracture Clinic

Markham Stouffville Hospital — Clinic 3, Building A, Level 1

Phone: 905-472-7070
Visit Fracture Clinic Page →
Sports Medicine & Surgery

Sports Injuries

Dr. Watts treats a full spectrum of sports-related knee and hip conditions in patients of all ages — from competitive athletes to recreational participants. Both surgical and non-surgical options are considered, with treatment individualized to each patient's goals and activity level.

Conditions & Treatments

Ligaments
ACL, MCL, PCL Injuries
Surgical reconstruction or conservative management as indicated
Tendons
Tendinopathies
Patellar tendon, quadriceps, iliotibial band, and hip abductor conditions
Knee
Sports Knee Conditions
Meniscal tears, patellofemoral syndrome, cartilage injuries
Hip
Hip Sports Conditions
Femoroacetabular impingement, labral pathology, hip flexor injuries
Non-Surgical
Physiotherapy & Injections
PRP, viscosupplementation, and structured rehabilitation programs
Surgical
Arthroscopic & Open
Minimally invasive techniques prioritized for faster return to sport
Non-Surgical Injection Options →
Referrals Welcome

Ready to Refer a Patient?

Dr. Watts accepts referrals through the Orthopaedic Joint Assessment Centre (OJAC) at Markham Stouffville Hospital. Contact the office for more information.

Contact & Referrals Post-Op Protocols