Orthopedic Rapid Access Clinic

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) provides specialized orthopedic services through our Orthopedic Rapid Access Clinic.

Staffed by registered physiotherapists, this clinic helps to reduce wait times for patients by offering consultations for individuals experiencing hip and/or knee arthritis.

During your visit, you will be assessed to determine whether you are a candidate for joint replacement surgery.

If you are a surgical candidate:
You will be booked for an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon

If you are not a surgical candidate at this time:
Our healthcare team will offer personalized recommendations to help you manage your symptoms.

How to access the Orthopedic Rapid Access Clinic

Referrals must be made by a family physician or nurse practitioner through:

Ontario Health at Home – Central Intake for Orthopedics
Fax: 1‑833‑222‑9065
Electronically via OCEAN

Referrals are reviewed and then forwarded to the clinic for booking.

Orthopedic surgery at PRHC

Our team includes fellowship‑trained surgeons specializing in hip, knee, shoulder, and sports medicine care:

Dr. James Allen — Direct anterior hips, total knee arthroplasty, revision hip/knee arthroplasty
Dr. Bernard Blastorah — Direct anterior hips, partial/total knee arthroplasty, revision hip/knee arthroplasty
Dr. Crawford Dobson — Direct anterior hips, partial/total knee arthroplasty, revision hip/knee arthroplasty; sports medicine
Dr. Valérie Lemieux — Hip and knee arthroplasty; sports medicine
Dr. James Lever — Hip and knee arthroplasty; sports medicine
Dr. Stephen Preston — Direct anterior hips, partial/total knee arthroplasty, revision hip/knee arthroplasty
Dr. King Wong — Upper extremity/shoulder

Who qualifies for orthopedic surgery

Patients experiencing hip or knee pain caused by osteoarthritis may be referred to this service.

Wait times for surgery

As of February 2026, the current wait time for orthopedic surgery at PRHC is between one (1) and two (2) months. Outpatient Surgery/same-day discharge are available for hip and knee arthroplasty.

Did you know?

Patients may ask to be referred to a local orthopedic surgeon to receive care closer to home.

Benefits include:

✔Reduced stress, travel time, and costs

✔Faster and more comfortable recovery

✔Being closer to family, friends, and personal supports

✔Convenient access to follow‑up care with your surgeon

Cast Clinic

The Cast Clinic provides essential follow‑up care for orthopedic patients.

Services include:

Application and removal of casts and splints
Fitting patients with equipment to support proper healing

The clinic is staffed by Orthopedic Technologists and Orthopedic Surgeons.

Who can access this service

Patients may be referred to the Cast Clinic if they:

Have had orthopedic surgery
Were treated in the Emergency Department and require orthopedic follow‑up
Have had hand surgery with a plastic surgeon and require a cast or splint

HAVING HIP SURGERY?

Before hip replacement surgery, print and bring this booklet with you. Before surgery for a fractured hip, print and bring this booklet with you. Both will help you on your path to recovery. It’s important to stay active before hip surgery. Learn about ways to stay active.

HAVING KNEE SURGERY?

Before surgery, print and bring this booklet with you to help you on your path to recovery. It’s important to stay active before knee surgery. Learn about ways to stay active.