3 Best Orthopedics in Prince George, BC

Dr Van Zyl repaired my 16 year old daughter’s knee in August this year ACL and meniscus. He was incredibly amazing with her. Super quick to get appointments and her knee 16 weeks later so far looks fabulous. Only complaint is getting through the phone line they should have an answering machine other then that we are very happy with him great with kids great bedside manners.

I was very impressed with Dr. Van Zyl and his staff. They were professional and the surgery went very well. My ankle that had surgery is better then my other ankle. Thank you Dr. Van Zyl.

Patient contact very good. Gave lots of important information regarding surgery. Made me feel like a person, not a number, funny. Follow-up great. Would refer to anyone.

I found Dr. Vanzly to be very rude and condescending during my assessment, and I left the appointment feeling dismissed rather than listened to. At one point, he told me that I “needed to get off the couch and do more.” I found that statement extremely frustrating and insulting, especially after I explained what my day-to-day life actually looks like. I wake up every morning before 6:30, let my chickens out and feed them, walk around my yard, and take my 15-year-old dog for a walk—long enough for both of us. I attend physiotherapy twice a week, and I have a 17-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter whom we are constantly trying to keep busy and engaged despite my current situation. I told him very clearly that I would gladly be working if I wasn't dealing with pain and discomfort. I would gladly be doing more than I am currently able to do. I am not choosing to sit on the couch all day. I even pointed out the cracks on my feet and explained that they aren't there because I'm sitting around doing absolutely nothing. They are there because I am still getting up, walking around, and trying to remain as active as I can despite the pain. I also asked him how it made sense that just before my workplace incident in February, I was working and driving, working on vehicles, staying active, and getting back toward doing the type of physically demanding work I wanted to do. I was moving toward truck driving, flat-deck work, loading lumber, and eventually getting back into the heavy-haul industry. Before the incident, I was able to work and was becoming much more physically active again. Since the workplace incident in February, I have been dealing with ongoing pain and discomfort that limit what I can safely do. When I try to do more, I can experience increased pain and discomfort. My doctor, physiotherapist, and massage therapist have advised me to reduce or modify certain activities based on how I am responding physically. I am trying to follow that guidance while still doing what I can. What bothered me most was feeling like all of this was reduced to me simply needing to “get off the couch.” I want to work. I want to drive truck. I want to work on vehicles. I want to be physically active. I want to get back to the level of activity I was capable of before my workplace incident. I understand that a surgeon may have a different opinion about activity and rehabilitation, but I believe a patient deserves to feel heard and respected when explaining their symptoms and limitations. That was not my experience with Dr. Vanzly. Based on my experience, I would not recommend Dr. Vanzly. I will be seeking a second opinion from another surgeon. - Brad C. Reply

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