Dr. Peter Zarkadas

About Dr. Zarkadas

I dislocated my shoulder three times when I was 18 years old. I clearly remember the pain to this day. The available surgery at that time was primitive and scared me. I modified my activities and never dislocated again. I was motivated to want to help others with similar problems, and that experience changed my life and eventually directed the course of my career.

I find shoulder, elbow, and knee problems very challenging. They are often technically very difficult surgeries, but when done well, can have an immensely positive impact of the quality of life and function of the patient. I can mean that a patient gets back to the sport or activity they love to do.

Trauma is painful but not a problem to fix. I love reassembling broken bones. It is like working on a puzzle where the pieces don’t always fit. Nature, amazingly, takes care of the rest. It can be a truly rewarding experience to make a fracture or a break and all the associated pain disappear altogether, as if it never actually happened.

Areas of Special Interest

Shoulder reconstruction

Shoulder replacement surgery
Shoulder arthroscopy & instability (e.g. labral repair, latarjet)
Rotator cuff repair
AC joint instability and arthritis

Elbow Open and Arthroscopic surgery

Knee reconstruction

Knee arthroscopy
ACL reconstruction & sports medicine

Orthopedic Trauma

Acute bone and soft tissue injuries

Certification

Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC) – speciality certification in Orthopedic Surgery
College of Physicians & Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) – Independent Practice License

Education

Fellowship – Shoulder and Elbow Reconstruction – Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Fellowship – Shoulder and Elbow Reconstruction – Royal North Shore Hospital, Australia

Fellowship – Sports Medicine– Perth Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine

Orthopedic Residency Training Program – University of British Columbia, Department of Orthopedics

Medical Degree (MD) –University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine

Master of Science – Simon Fraser University

Bachelor of Science – McGill University

Hospital Affiliations

Lions Gate Hospital – Active Staff
Sechelt Hospital – Consulting Privileges
Whistler Health Care Centre – Consulting Privileges
Squamish General Hospital – Associate Staff

University Affiliations

UBC, Department of Orthopedics, Division of Lower Limb Reconstruction
UBC Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Instructor

Professional Societies and Associations

AAOS (American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons)
COA (Canadian Orthopedic Association)
BCOA (British Columbia Orthopedic Association)
Doctors of BC (formerly BC Medical Association)
Mayo Elbow Club