Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Dr. Laura Sims proudly calls this province home. She completed her medical degree in 2013 and her orthopedic residency training in 2018, both at the University of Saskatchewan. Following this, she spent time in London, Ontario gaining subspecialty training at the Roth McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre.

Her practice in Saskatoon focuses on surgical conditions of the hand, wrist and elbow. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Sims’ is involved in medical and resident education and is the Chair of Research for the Division of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Saskatchewan. Her research interests focus on clinical outcome measures following upper limb surgery.

Conditions commonly treated by Dr. Sims

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Trigger Finger

Finger Arthritis

Thumb Arthritis

Dupuytren’s Contracture

Ganglions

Wrist Arthritis

Wrist Fractures

Scaphoid Fractures

Elbow Arthritis

Elbow Dislocations

Ulnar Nerve Entrapment

Dr. Laura Sims MD, FRCSC

Orthopedic Hand and Upper Extremity Surgeon

Assistant Professor

University of Saskatchewan


  • 2018-2019: Clinical Fellow, Hand and Upper Limb Center, Western University, London ON

  • 2013-2018: Orthopedic Resident Physician, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon SK

  • 2009-2013: Doctor of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon SK

  • 2005-2009: Bachelor of Science, Physiology, Universities of Saskatchewan and Regina, Saskatoon and Regina SK

Education


  • 2018 - Vice-Dean’s Prize for Research in Surgery

  • 2017 - Dr. Brad Ardell Spirit Award

  • 2017 - Samuel Clemens Prize in Orthopedic Research

  • 2017 - Kirkaldy-Willis Orthopedic Resident Research Award

  • 2016 - AAOS Orthopedic Video Theater Award

  • 2015 - Kirkaldy-Willis Orthopedic Resident Research Award

  • 2011 - Isabel and Emmett Hall Scholarship in Orthopedic Surgery

Awards


research publications

Does Addition of a Longer Acting Local Anesthetic Improve Postoperative Pain After Carpal Tunnel Release? A Randomized Controlled Trial

Emily Chan MD, Kristi Billard MD, Laura Sims MD, Churao Yang MD, David Sauder MD

The Journal of Hand Surgery

Volume 49, Issue 10, October 2024, Pages 1000-1006

Coronal Translation of the Forearm, Proximal Capitate, and Ulnar Styloid Predict Radial Inclination in Distal Radius Fractures in Older Female Patients

Johnston G, Mastel M, Sims L, Cheng Y

The Bone and Joint Journal: 2023 105(6), 688-695. PMID: 37257858 -2023

Correlation between superior humeral head migration and proximal long head of biceps tendon pathology in patients with and without rotator cuff tears using magnetic resonance

J Rattee, L Sims, DA Leswick, H Obaid

JSES international 6 (5), 809-814- 2022

Coracoclavicular bursal changes on MRI: a diagnostic consideration in patients with shoulder pain and reduced coracoclavicular distance

H Obaid, P Mondal, L Sims, M Shepel, N Vassos

Skeletal Radiology, 1-5-2022

Upper extremity injuries in rock climbers: diagnosis and management

L Sims

The Journal of Hand Surgery-2022

Magnitude, Direction, Temporal Patterns, and Frequency of Loss of Distal Radius Fracture Reduction in Women 50 Years and Older

LA Sims, G Johnston, Y Cheng, S Stewart, M Abou-Ghaida

The Journal of Hand Surgery 47 (5), 409-41-2022

Cannabis use patterns among patients with upper extremity conditions at the time of legalization in Canada

L Sims, T Goetz, N White, A Badre, B Grammon, A Trenholm, J Strelzow

Canadian Journal of Surgery 65 (3), E335-E34- 2022

Four-Corner Arthrodesis With Differing Methods of Osteosynthesis: A Systematic Review

E Hayes, Y Cheng, D Sauder, L Sims

The Journal of Hand Surgery- 2022

The Effects of Patient Resilience and Catastrophizing on Carpal Tunnel Surgical Outcomes

S McLaren, L Sims, Y Cheng, R Khan, D Sauder

Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online 3 (6), 322-328- 2021

The Unsalvageable Radial Head in Patients Aged 30 Years and Younger

LA Sims, WR Aibinder, GJW King, KJ Faber

The Journal of Hand Surgery 46 (11), 989-997- 2021

Book chapters

Outcomes of Non-Operative Management of Displaced Olecranon Fractures in Medically Unwell Patients

William R. Aibinder, Laura A. Sims, George S. Athwal, Graham J.W. King

Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery International- 2021

The Effect of Personalized Patient Videos on Patient Satisfaction After Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

LA Sims, R Khan, DJ Sauder

Orthopedics 44 (3), e331-e336- 2021

Radial Head Arthroplasty for Essex-Lopresti Lesions: Outcomes of Acute Versus Chronic Management

L Sims, W Aibinder, KJ Faber, GJW King

Orthopaedic Proceedings 102 (SUPP_6) 139-139- 2020

Arthroscopic Soft Tissue Stabilization: Single Anterior Portal Technique

Sims L, Shin JJ, Judy RP, Lin A.

Annals of Joint: 2017 Nov; 2 (11)- 2017

Variability in Outcome Reporting for Operatively Managed Anterior Glenohumeral Instability. Arthroscopy

Lukenchuck J, Sims L, Shin JJ.

The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery. 2017 Feb;33(2):477-483.- 2017

.Intra-operative Culture Positive Allograft Bone and Subsequent Post-operative Infections: A Retrospective Review

Sims L, Kulyk P, Woo A

The Canadian Journal of Surgery: 2017 Apr; 60(2): 94–100- 2017

Validation of a Novel Classification System For Distal Ulnar Fractures Associated With Distal Radial Fractures

LA Sims, GH Johnston, SA Stewart

Orthopaedic Proceedings 98 (SUPP_21), 44-44- 2016


Scaphoid Nonunions. Chapter 13, Section III (Carpal Disorders). In: Hand Surgery Update VII. American Society for Surgery of the Hand; 2022: 121-130.Sims L., Suh N

Prevention of Distal Radius Fractures. Chapter 29. In: Distal Radius Fractures: Evidence Based Management. (1st edition). Saunders, Elsevier; 2021:309-317, Sims L., Zhang Y., Grewal R

Chondrolysis: Risk Benefit Analysis of “caine” Local Anesthetics for ACL Reconstruction. Chapter 53. In: Prodromos C. The Anterior Cruciate Ligament: Reconstruction and Basic Science. (2nd ed.). Saunders, Elsevier; 2018: 210-214, Shin JJ, Sims L, Yanke A

MULTIMEDIA

Journal of Hand Surgery Monthly Podcast - Episode 74 (https://www.jhandsurg.org/audio-do/jhs-podcast-episode-74)
Sims L, Shin JJ, Athwal G, Sauder D. Transscaphoid Perilunate Fracture Dislocations: A Surgical Technique. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery Annual Meeting 2016 OVT