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The 5 Best Orthopaedic Specialists in Toronto for Modern Joint and Bone Care
I’ve got a bone to pick (pun intended): why do our joints start creaking as we get older and make us sound like the Tin Man every time we move? I’m not trying to generalize, but after going with both my parents for hip and knee replacements, it’s hard not to notice the trend.
What really stood out to me was the long wait time that often comes with OHIP-covered treatment. In comparison, private clinics and sports medicine centres tended to move faster, especially for other bone, joint, or ligament issues—surgeries that aren’t medically necessary.
That’s why my team and I reviewed the best orthopaedic specialists in Toronto. Keep reading to find the right fit, whether you want OHIP coverage, faster care, or specialized expertise.
1. Dr. Jihad Abouali – Orthopedic Sports Surgeon

Services: Orthopaedic surgery: knee, shoulder, ankle, hip and sports injuries, regenerative medicine
Address: 481 Danforth Ave
Contact Details: +1 416-546-7373
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM
| Google reviews score | 4.9/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
| Specialisation | 5/5 |
| Range and coverage | 5/5 |
| Track record and results | 5/5 |
| Treatment approach | 5/5 |
| Consultation and procedure | 5/5 |
| Technology and equipment | 5/5 |
| Availability and scheduling | 4.5/5 |
| Patient care | 5/5 |
| Price (A higher score means better value) | 5/5 |
Dr. Jihad Abouali has over two decades of clinical experience treating both professional and recreational athletes, which is a big plus in our books.
On that note, we’re impressed at his high surgical volume, particularly ACL reconstructions. We found that he performs over 200 ACL reconstructions annually and more than 2,500 over his career, making him a reliable surgeon for consistent outcomes.
But his services go beyond ACL; we like that he has a broad scope and treats injuries in the knee, shoulder, ankle, and hip. It’s also worth noting that many surgical procedures he performs are arthroscopic and minimally invasive, so there’s less pain and quicker healing.
And if surgery isn’t immediately needed or preferred, he also provides advanced non-surgical treatments like PRP and nSTRIDE injections.
Overall, Dr. Jihad Abouali is a reliable pick for orthopaedic care. Just make sure you get a referral from a family doctor or sports medicine physician to schedule a consultation.
Super happy with the result
“I can only confirm the other excellent reviews, got my meniscus done and super happy with the result. I also want to highlight the reactivity of the email responses from the back office (emma)”
SwissGVA, Google Review
It’s [nSTRIDE] worked beautifully for me
“I had an Nstride injection in my knee with Dr Abouali. It’s been seven months now since the injection and it’s worked beautifully for me. So appreciative of this option and care.”
Jennifer Marley, Google Review
2. Dr. Barry Cayen, MD, MSc, MPH, FRCSC

Services: Hip replacements (anterior approach), knee replacements (robotic assisted), ACL reconstruction, meniscus surgery, PRP injections
Address: 3695 Keele St 2nd floor
Contact Details: +1 416-479-8969
Operating Hours:
- Monday: 7:30 AM – 6 PM
- Tuesday: 11 AM – 7 PM
- Wednesday: 9 AM – 7 PM
- Thursday: 7:30 AM – 3 PM
- Friday: 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM
| Google reviews score | 5/5 |
| Total reviews | 4/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
| Specialisation | 5/5 |
| Range and coverage | 5/5 |
| Track record and results | 5/5 |
| Treatment approach | 5/5 |
| Consultation and procedure | 5/5 |
| Technology and equipment | 5/5 |
| Availability and scheduling | 3.5/5 |
| Patient care | 5/5 |
| Price (A higher score means better value) | 5/5 |
Right off the bat, we noticed that Dr. Barry Cayen concentrates his practice on hip and knee surgery, particularly direct anterior hip replacement and knee reconstruction.
Digging deeper, we learned that he uses the direct anterior approach for hip replacements, which reduces muscle disruption and can speed early recovery. This means you’re likely to return to mobility in the first weeks after surgery.
As for knee care, he provides comprehensive care from ACL tears to meniscus injuries and even partial knee replacements for a less invasive option.
Another thing we love is that you can also go for their non-surgical treatments, like PRP and hyaluronic acid injections, helping manage arthritis and tendon pain without surgery.
But keep in mind that you must get a referral from a primary care provider before booking. Also, actual wait times can be longer than 14 business days after referral.
Nonetheless, we can’t deny that Dr. Cayen is worth the wait, especially for hip and knee replacements.
Knowledgeable, nice, professional and caring
“Dr. Cayen is one of the best orthopedic surgeons. He is knowledgeable , nice , professional and caring for his patients. Thanks for your surgery on both my Mom’s knees.( Total knee replacement)”
Mojgan Behnamrad, Google Review
Really good bedside manner
“Dr. Cayen is the best orthopaedic surgeon. He is knowledgeable, professional with a really good bedside manner……many thanks to you.”
farideh youssefzadeh, Google Review
3. Dr. Jason Conrad Smith – Orthopaedic Surgeon

Services: Orthopaedic treatments: sports, knee, shoulder and elbow
Address: 2863 Ellesmere Rd Suite 306, Scarborough
Contact Details: +1 416-287-0002
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 4 PM
| Google reviews score | 4.7/5 |
| Total reviews | 3/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
| Specialisation | 4.5/5 |
| Range and coverage | 4.5/5 |
| Track record and results | 5/5 |
| Treatment approach | 5/5 |
| Consultation and procedure | 5/5 |
| Technology and equipment | 5/5 |
| Availability and scheduling | 3.5/5 |
| Patient care | 5/5 |
| Price (A higher score means better value) | 5/5 |
Dr. Jason Conrad Smith is known for treating complex shoulder, elbow, and knee sports injuries. In fact, he even serves as a consultant to the NHL Players Association and is trusted by elite athletes from the Toronto Blue Jays, Baseball Canada, and Golf Canada, so you know he’s legit.
This sort of experience and credibility gives us some peace of mind that the work he does is of top quality and performance. You can rely on him for things like ligament reconstruction, meniscus work, cartilage restoration, and more.
It’s also neat that he provides non-surgical options like viscosupplementation for osteoarthritis and PRP injections for soft tissue healing.
However, you’ll have to get a hold of a referral before booking, and to better use OHIP coverage if you’re looking to avoid spending private fees.
On a positive note, we appreciate that Dr. Smith sees both OHIP-covered and private patients, offering flexibility for different needs.
Recovered well
“Dr Jason did my ACL surgery. Best knee surgeon. Professional. Recovered well. Back to playing sports. Also Emma did a lot of work with post surgery rehab to get that knee back to normal. 100% recommended”
ahmed aftab, Google Review
Preparation was very thorough
“I had my meniscus repaired by Dr. Smith. The preparation was very thorough and the actual OR experience was very positive. My knee is recovering so well that I didn’t need any painkillers. My wife had a similar experience…I would highly recommend Dr. Smith to anyone.”
Karl Frank, Google Review
4. Dr. John Theodoropoulos

Services: Shoulder, knee, elbow, cartilage regeneration procedures
Address: 600 University Ave #476C
Contact Details: +1 416-586-4800
Operating Hours: By appointment
| Google reviews score | 4.6/5 |
| Total reviews | 3/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
| Specialisation | 4.5/5 |
| Range and coverage | 4.5/5 |
| Track record and results | 5/5 |
| Treatment approach | 5/5 |
| Consultation and procedure | 5/5 |
| Technology and equipment | 5/5 |
| Availability and scheduling | 3/5 |
| Patient care | 4.5/5 |
| Price (A higher score means better value) | 4.5/5 |
One thing that quickly reassures us when it comes to Dr. John Theodoropoulos is his credibility and recognition. To name a few, he completed a Master of Science in cartilage regeneration and serves as fellowship director for the University of Toronto Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Program.
Speaking of sports medicine, he leads high-performance care for complex joint injuries like ACL tears and cartilage damage. So, if you have demanding athletic goals or have your career on the line, he’s a reliable bet towards recovery.
We also gain more confidence in his expertise, considering that he takes care of elite teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Blue Jays. Care for pro athletes means exposure to diverse and complex injuries, and he’s constantly expected to provide high-level treatment.
The catch? You’ll have a pretty high queuing number and will have to dread longer wait times. But hey, this demand is a telltale sign of his competence in the field.
Finally pain free
“I recently had shoulder surgery and couldn’t be happier with Dr. Theo and his team. The whole experience from the initial consultation, surgery and follow up was 5 star plus. It’s been 6 weeks post surgery and I have full range of motion, my strength is returning and most importantly, I am finally pain free. I highly recommend Dr. Theo”
Brad Truelove, Google Review
Incredible surgeon and very personable
“Dr. John Theodoropoulos successfully repaired my torn rotator cuff and bicep. Dr Theo is an incredible surgeon and very personable. His staff was always welcoming, helpful and professional. I’m grateful to Dr. Theo and his staff for the excellent care they provided me.”
Rich Johnson, Google Review
5. Dr. Jas Chahal (HyperRegen Clinic)

Services: Orthopedic sports medicine: hip, knee, and shoulder injuries; arthroscopic procedures and cartilage repair
Address: 76 Grenville St
Contact Details: +1 416-323-6318
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 5 PM
| Google reviews score | 4.6/5 |
| Total reviews | 4/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
| Specialisation | 4.5/5 |
| Range and coverage | 5/5 |
| Track record and results | 4.5/5 |
| Treatment approach | 5/5 |
| Consultation and procedure | 5/5 |
| Technology and equipment | 5/5 |
| Availability and scheduling | 3/5 |
| Patient care | 4.5/5 |
| Price (A higher score means better value) | 4/5 |
What we like most about Dr. Jas Chahal, is that their HyperRegen clinic is a multidisciplinary facility, combining orthopaedic surgical care with physiotherapy, bracing, and return-to-sport testing—all under one roof.
We also find it convenient that he offers a broad range of advanced surgical procedures, like ACL reconstruction, meniscus transplantation, cartilage restoration, and hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement.
So, it’s not surprising to see him be the head orthopedic consultant for Toronto FC, Canada Basketball, and the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. We believe the experience he has plays a crucial role in how he effectively manages and handles complex cases.
And if you think your condition can be “delayed” or avoid surgery altogether, then it’s a good thing he also provides non-surgical options like viscosupplementation and PRP injections.
The only things that might come your way are their pricing and wait times, depending on your situation and if you have insurance. Still, they’re a trustworthy choice, especially given their experience with athletes.
Fantastic at staying on schedule
“Dr. Jas Chahal and the entire staff are top-notch. Very professional, communicative, and genuinely caring. The office environment is extremely clean, and they are fantastic at staying on schedule—my appointments always ran on time. Highly recommend!”
Lisa Svihus, Google Review
My quality of life has improved
“Can’t recommend enough; qualified, competent excellent bedside. I have had a couple procedures major and minor and my quality of life has improved 100x thanks to Dr. Chahal.”
Marc Cizravi, Google Review