Urgent Care

If you are experiencing an urgent need for care due to a traumatic injury, please go to the Emergency Department of the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

Orthopaedic surgeons from our clinic are on call at the hospital for emergency orthopaedic needs.

Hip Replacement

In a total hip replacement (also called total hip arthroplasty), the damaged bone and cartilage is removed and replaced with prosthetic components. The damaged femoral head is removed and replaced with a metal stem that is placed into the hollow center of the femur. The femoral stem may be either cemented or "press fit" into the bone.

  • A metal or ceramic ball is placed on the upper part of the stem. This ball replaces the damaged femoral head that was removed.
  • The damaged cartilage surface of the socket (acetabulum) is removed and replaced with a metal socket. Screws or cement are sometimes used to hold the socket in place.
  • A plastic, ceramic, or metal spacer is inserted between the new ball and the socket to allow for a smooth gliding surface.

Specializing Physicians

Chris Cameron
MD

Medical Office Assistant
Ashley

Phone: (250) 591-4745
Fax: 250-591-4703
Email: cameronortho@shaw.ca

Chris Cameron MD

Dr. Cameron is our senior partner. He has been in practice in Nanaimo for the last 30 years . He is a big proponent of quality patient care and access to services.

Dr. Cameron has a special interest in student training and education resulted in awards and acknowledgments of his work.

He has been a driving force and big supporter of our new and enhanced access planned to improve patient care in the mid Island region.


Medical Office Assistant
Ashley

Phone: (250) 591-4745
Fax: 250-591-4703
Email: cameronortho@shaw.ca

Current Clinical Interests

  • Adult Hip and Knee Replacement
  • Knee Ligament Reconstruction
  • Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery

Medical School

  • University of British Columbia 1983

Residency

  • Orthopaedic Surgery, University of British Columbia 1985-1990

Certification

  • Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons of Canada

Academic Role

  • Clinic Associate Professor, UBC Department of Orthopaedics

Highlights/Achievements/Community Service

  • 2017 Clinical Faculty Award for Excellence in Community Practice Teaching – IMP; University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine

John Birchard
MD, FRCS(C)

Medical Office Assistant
Shelly

Phone: (250) 753-2500
Email: shelly.wilbey@shaw.ca

John Birchard MD, FRCS(C)


Medical Office Assistant
Shelly

Phone: (250) 753-2500
Fax:
Email: shelly.wilbey@shaw.ca

Current Clinical Interests

  • Adult Hip Knee and Shoulder Replacement
  • Cartilage and Soft Tissue Knee Reconstruction
  • Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery Upper & Lower,
  • Shoulder Surgery

Medical School

  • Queen's University, Kingston Ontario

Residency

  • Orthopaedic Surgery Queen's University

Fellowship Training

  • Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship, UBC
  • Knee Arthroplasty and Arthroscopy Fellowship, UBC
  • Sports Medicine Fellowship, UBC
  • General Orthopaedic Surgery, Queen's University

Certification

  • Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons of Canada
  • Diploma, Sports Med (CASM)

Academic Role

  • Assistant Professo, Orthopaedic Surgery, Queen's University 1994-2005
  • Clinical Instructor, UBC

Cobus Smith
MD, FRCS(C)

Medical Office Assistant
Brooke

Phone: (250) 754-9244
Email: brookeh@smithortho.ca

Cobus Smith MD, FRCS(C)

Dr. Smith immigrated to Canada from South-Africa in 1998. He practiced Orthopaedic Surgery in Regina Saskatchewan, until 2007, when he relocated to Nanaimo.

"I felt that the wait times for Orthopaedic surgery consultation and access to care was unacceptable, which led to the development and design of the Enhanced access to Orthopaedic Care project in Nanaimo."


Medical Office Assistant
Brooke

Phone: (250) 754-9244
Fax:
Email: brookeh@smithortho.ca

Current Clinical Interests

  • Primary hip, knee and shoulder replacement
  • Complex hip and knee revision arthroplasty/reconstruction
  • Orthopaedic trauma surgery of the upper and lower limbs.

Medical School

  • University of the Orange Free State, South Africa-1982

Residency

  • University of Pretoria, South Africa-1992-1997
  • University of Saskatchewan, Canada-2004

Fellowship Training

  • Fellowship in Orthopaedic Surgery and Joint Reconstruction
  • University of Saskatchewan-2004

Certification

  • Fellow, College of Physicians and Surgeons of South Africa
  • M Med (Ortho) -Colleges of Medicine of South Africa
  • Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons of Canada

Academic Role

  • Clinical instructor-UBC Department of orthopaedics

Highlights/Achievements/Community Service

  • Award for Excellence in …

Paul Voorhoeve
MD, FRCS(C)

Medical Office Assistant
Chelaine

Phone: (250) 591-0265
Email: dr.voorhoeve@shaw.ca

Paul Voorhoeve MD, FRCS(C)


Medical Office Assistant
Chelaine

Phone: (250) 591-0265
Fax:
Email: dr.voorhoeve@shaw.ca

Current Clinical Interests

  • Adult Lower Extremity Reconstruction
  • Primary and Revision Hip and Knee Arthroplasty
  • General Orthopaedic Trauma

Medical School

  • University of British Columbia

Residency

  • Orthopaedic Surgery, University of British Columbia

Fellowship Training

  • Arthroplasty and General Orthopaedic Trauma, Nelson Marlborough Health Authority, New Zealand
  • Adult Lower Extremity Reconstruction - Revision Hip and Knee Arthroplasty, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Toronto Ontario

Certification

  • Fellow, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Academic Role

  • Clinical Instructor, Department of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia

Jed Laughren
MD, FRCS(C)

Medical Office Assistant
Coral

Phone: (250) 591-0264
Email: dr.laughren@shaw.ca

Jed Laughren MD, FRCS(C)


Medical Office Assistant
Coral

Phone: (250) 591-0264
Fax:
Email: dr.laughren@shaw.ca

Current Clinical Interests

  • Adult Hip and Knee Replacement
  • Cartilage and Soft Tissue Knee Reconstruction
  • Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery Upper & Lower, Pelvis andAcetabulum

Medical School

  • University of …

Residency

  • Orthopaedic Surgery, University of …

Fellowship Training

  • Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship, …..
  • Knee Arthroplasty and
  • Arthroscopy Fellowship,…
  • Sports Medicine Fellowship, …

Certification

  • Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons of Canada

Academic Role

  • ....
  • ....
  • ....

Highlights/Achievements/Community Service

  • Award for Excellence in …