From background and experience alone, Dr. Jesse Slade Shantz is outstanding. He trained in orthopaedic trauma at the University of California and in shoulder and sports surgery at the University of Toronto, plus orthopaedic residency at the University of Manitoba. 

Qualifications like these make us have more confidence in his performance. We like that he provides both arthroscopic and open surgical techniques, since not all patients need invasive procedures.

It’s also worth noting that Dr. Jesse sees a high volume of cases like ACL tears, rotator cuff injuries, and instability, which can improve diagnostic accuracy. His treatments also feel nuanced and precise, especially if you’re an athlete or an active person.

You can also have access to assessments and rehab support, too, helping you recover more effectively and beyond just the surgery itself.

The catch? He directly bills patients for his services since he has opted out of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, as he is a private surgical consultant. On the bright side, wait times are shorter, and we appreciate the reliable communication they establish with every patient. 

Have no more pain

“I had a plazma injection in september for my meniscus tear, and now I have no more pain there, I has done wonders for my life. highly recommend this instead of going the surgery way. It took about a month to see results…”

Patient, RateMD Review

Extremely experienced and knowledgeable 

“After waiting 8 months to get to public hospital for arthroscopic surgery, finally I decided to go private. I was introduced to Dr. Jesse Shantz. It took him only 2 weeks to do surgery on my shoulder. I had a large tendon tear which unfortunately MRI did not see well. Dr. Shantz did surgery on me and now I feel my arm motion is coming back and the pain completely gone. That was probably, the best decision of my life. I rate Dr. Shantz the best, five over five. He is great, extremely experienced, and knowledgeable in sport related surgeries. His stuff are very nice and experienced. Overall the best team.”

Patient, RateMD Review

Dr. Paul Leung stands out for his long track record in practicing orthopaedic surgery, and by long, his experience goes way back to 1987. We believe that having decades of clinical experience means more refined judgment and familiarity with rare or complex cases.

We found that he also serves as a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Alberta, so he stays involved with surgical education and current best practices.

As for his specialization, he concentrates on foot and ankle conditions like bunions, hammertoes, Achilles tendon injuries, and ankle instability. 

And what’s nice about turning to him for your treatment is that you can benefit from receiving multidisciplinary rehabilitation and performance teams alongside surgical care.

Just a heads-up, though: services are provided through Acumen Clinic, which is basically a private centre, so they don’t fall under standard Alberta Health Care insurance coverage.

Nonetheless, you can speed up referral processing and surgery scheduling thanks to this private care model.

Very kind and attentive 

“Dr Leung corrected many issues with my foot including a bunion, dislocation and a hammer toe. He is very kind and attentive. I appreciate his expertise and the responsiveness of his staff.”

Patient, RateMDs Review

Has put me back together

“Dr. Leung has put me back together many times. Knees, hips, feet – and given me back my quality of life! I would never have anyone else but him as my ortho surgeon.”

Patient, RateMDs Review

Dr Martin J Bouliane has been in the game, practicing orthopaedic surgery, since at least the mid-1990s. So, it’s no surprise that his extensive experience has helped him to provide refined surgical judgement and confidence, managing both common and rare issues.

We noticed that he’s especially skilled in orthopaedic traumatology, which means he’s a solid bet if you have traumatic injuries or complex fractures—a lifesaver during emergencies. 

His broad range of surgical procedures is also a big plus. He can perform joint replacement surgery, arthroscopy, fracture fixation, and non-operative musculoskeletal care. In other words, you can get continuous and consistent care from one provider. 

We also like that his services include review of imaging like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, making the diagnostic and treatment process speedy.

It’s a bummer that he doesn’t offer virtual consultations, though, since some patients might find travelling difficult. Regardless, we have to say that he’s a reliable surgeon, especially for shoulder and upper limb conditions, and if you want AHCIP coverage. 

Very professional and good bedside manner

“I broke my leg in 3 places and he fixed it up right. Very professional and good bedside manner.”

Traceyfehr, Google Review

Up to date with new technologies 

“Incredible surgeon. Talented and caring. Up to date with new technologies. BEST EVER FOR SHOULDERS. worth the wait”

Judy Mcveigh, Google Review

Dr. Armin Badre is a reliable specialist, especially when it comes to elbow, hand, and wrist surgery. We learned that he also completed a fellowship for this at the Roth McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre, so he’s knowledgeable in complex upper limb reconstruction and trauma. 

His daily clinical work is impressive as well—think procedures like arthroscopy, arthroplasty, and trauma care. In fact, he has seen and done high-volume cases, which means that he’s well exposed to nuances and is more inclined to perform refined and accurate treatments. 

On the flipside, if you have lower limb issues, then you might have to look elsewhere since he doesn’t specialize in this field. 

The good news is that you get to have access to comprehensive care to streamline recovery and reduce complications. And by that, we mean a team of surgeons, therapists, and rehabilitation professionals is within reach.

My arm feels better than ever

“Dr. Badre was instrumental in helping repair my torn tricep. He was very professional and provided great support throughout my recovery. My arm feels better than ever. I’m truly grateful for his abilities as an Orthopdeic surgeon. Thank you!”

David Berry, Google Review

Great bedside manner

“Great Bedside manner ,took really good care of me and explain things really well he deserves more than five stars and his staff were just as amazing. I would recommend Dr Badre and Sturgeon Hospital in many ways thank you everybody for everything”

Kim Porter, Google Review

Right off the bat, it’s reassuring to know that Dr. Rob Balyk has been practicing orthopaedic surgery for decades, bringing years of hands-on expertise to each case. Plus, his involvement in academic medicine allows him to integrate the latest evidence-based techniques. 

He also played a role in establishing the Shoulder and Upper Extremity Research Group of Edmonton and the Canadian Shoulder and Elbow Society. Knowing his contribution to clinical research shows his commitment to advancing care beyond routine practice. 

Another thing that stood out to us is his impressive track record in successfully delivering excellent shoulder surgery results. The patients we chatted with shared their dramatic functional improvement even years after procedures like shoulder replacement.

The hitch? He doesn’t do virtual visits, so an in-person appointment is required, together with a referral to get public system access.

But hey, we can’t deny his expertise and reputation in delivering positive, life-changing results, especially for those with shoulder issues. 

Repaired my shoulder beyond belief

“Dr. Balyk is such a kind soul has has repaired my shoulder beyond belief. I feel very blessed that I’m a patient of his. Thank you for my pain free life”

Joanne Guz, Google Review

Made a total recovery 

“Dr. Balyk operated on my shoulder which was really damaged in 2018. I made a total recovery and have had no issues since. Thank you for doing what you do.”

Brian Mclean, Google Review