Dr. Zarkadas GAVE ME MY ARM BACK. And, as such, my life back. I am eternally grateful. How incredibly lucky am I / are we to have someone of this calibre available to us in a public system! I broke, dislocated and tore my shoulder during a ski accident. An ‘avulsion fracture of the humeral head’. It was a more significant version of this type of injury. While the hospital ER doc (and two nurses pulling my body in the other direction) got the dislocated shoulder back in (unforgettable), I was sent home on heavy meds and came back the next day for surgery. Dr Zarkadas performed an “ORIF” – cutting down to the bone, re-attaching the broken bone section with several wires wrapped under the existing muscle and around the humerus and securing everything with two lengthy screws, then stitching all the soft tissue back together. The recovery is intense in the first few months and, for some time, I thought I might never be able to use my arm again. Or, at least, not with any strength or range. But the internal fix was solid and created a foundation for healing. Now 9 months post-op, I am almost back to full ROM, at about 80-90% capability, and continue building strength and ROM day by day. You must do your rehab, for sure. There are no shortcuts for a good recovery outcome. But the skills, technique and knowledge required to re-assemble and secure my bones and soft tissues in such a way as to allow for such a recovery is at the core of this story. Only from this being done in such an expert way can I again swim, bike, skate and, one day soon, ski and snowboard again. I must also mention the professional and supportive experience with Dr. Zarkadas’ office staff, who allowed me to ask many questions and provide guidance along the way for what I could/couldn’t and should/shouldn’t do (which quite frankly filled some gaps on the thin information that is sent home with you from the hospital; the info sheet needs an update). I also greatly appreciated Peter’s warm bedside manner during follow-up visits to the cast clinic, where he patiently answered even more questions, from the medical to the practical. Have to also thank Cypress Mountain Ski Patrol, the BC Ambulance Service Paramedics, and Lion’s Gate Hospital staff at all levels for the care given throughout the entire process. So grateful for where we live. Thank you, Peter, once again for putting my arm back together so well and allowing me to continue with my life!

Submitted Jan. 20, 2024

10 STARS for this surgeon! I had a freak ski accident in April resulting in a pilon fracture (serious) which involved both tibia and fibula close to the articulating joint. Both Whistler clinic and Dr. Zarkadas could not predict a very good outcome for me (67 yr old ski instructor) The surgery team was fantastic and my ORIFsurgery was completed under local anesthetic. I crutched out of the hospital 3 hours after surgery and was only on pain meds for 2 days. 5 months later I was back to tennis and biking 70 km a day. I have started light jogging and i begin another season of ski instructing at Whistler next week. Thank you, Thank you, THANK. YOU for giving me my life back! Anyone who is lucky enough to get this skilled surgeon is in good hands.

Submitted Nov. 28, 2023

This is Dr Zarkadas. I’m very sorry the previous reviewer had a poor result. Normally if you enter the operating room I perform an open reduction and internal fixation in a wrist case. I’d be very curious as to why I didn’t in your case. I try my absolute best to make the best decision for every patient. Sometimes it doesn’t work out optimally. I would encourage you to reach out to my office to see if I can help you in any way.

Submitted Nov. 10, 2023

I broke my wrist at snowboarding few years ago and the ambulance took me to north van hospital where my wrist was operated by Dr Zarkadas. After opening my cast it was noticed Dr Zarkadas didn't use pin to secure the bone and not let it move while in cast, and that resulted in my wrist bone moving and healed in wrong place. Just a tragedy, how a doctor can be so ignorant and play with someone's life this easy...

Submitted Oct. 31, 2023

I broke my femur, Dr Zarkadas fixed it the next day and did an amazing job!

Submitted Oct. 6, 2023

Excellent surgeon. Thankful to see you finally got a well deserved vacation sir. Dr Zarkadas puts his heart and soul in his patients care. I would see no other and consider yourself fortunate to have such a highly experienced and caring doctor in this health care system. Hope to never have to see him again but if I do, I know I am in good hands

Submitted Sept. 23, 2023

I went to see Dr Zarkadas for my right shoulder pain and his office arranged for a MRI right away (no three month waiting) when the results were in I was booked immediately for two weeks out. The work done was a rotator cuff repair and re attachment of my bicep. I went home the same day as the surgery, the recovery was uncomfortable but I have NO pain and great motion of it now. Unfortunately I had to get my left arm done two years later and it is now also no pain and has great movement. His nurse/receptionist is fantastic looking after their patients and she has a great sense of humour.

Submitted Sept. 11, 2023

My partner recently had ankle surgery and ended up with a surgical site infection. When we called to ask what to do we were told the doctor was on vacation. Not exactly the response you would hope for. We ended up in the emergency room trying to get someone to help us.

Submitted Sept. 7, 2023

Dr Zarkadis completed a reverse shoulder replacement on Dec 21 2022 and the entire procedure couldn’t have been better Ghada , Dr Pete;s office assistant was so helpful and amazing to deal with. The good Dr had me out of the sling early and going to rehab post 2 weeks. I was back biking in less than 3 months post and golfing in 4 months. An amazing surgeon who cares about his patients and I highly recommend him for any orthopedic help you may need

Doug Towill

Submitted Aug. 17, 2023

I fell in Oct 2022 and got full tear in the supraspinatus tendon and partial tear in the infraspinatus tendon in my right shoulder. I am grateful to have been referred to Dr. Zarkadas.
Ghada, his MOA, was efficient, kind, very professional, helpful and accommodating. She got right back after my calls taking the time to answer my questions.
Dr. Zarkadas was very informative about my options and made me feel very much like I was making the right choice to proceed with surgery. He performed rotator cuff repair and mini open biceps tenodesis on Jun 14th, 2023. Before the surgery he explained everything, answered all my questions and made sure I was comfortable. After the surgery, his care extended to suggestions for rehab. Although at this point I am early in my recovering stage I feel better. There is no quick fix, but I feel I am on my way to getting well. I absolutely recommend him to anybody in need of an good orthopedic doctor.
A big thank you to both Dr. Zarkadas and Ghada for their professionalism and patience. They make a great team.
Ioan Costrut

Submitted Aug. 6, 2023