Orthopaedics

Orthopaedics

• Types of surgery

  
  

  • Total joint replacement: Hip replacement, knee replacement, or shoulder replacement, using an artificial joint made of metal, plastic, or ceramic components.
  
  
  • Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive procedure that uses a small camera (arthroscope) to diagnose and treat joint problems, such as torn ligaments, damaged cartilage, or loose bodies within the joint.
  
  
  • Fracture repair: Techniques to align and stabilise fractured bones, which may involve using screws, plates, rods, or external fixation devices to facilitate healing and restore proper bone alignment.
  
  
  • Spinal surgery: Surgery to treat conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spinal deformities, or spinal fractures, including discectomy, spinal fusion, laminectomy and vertebroplasty.
  
  
  • Tendon repair: Repairs torn or damaged tendons, which are strong bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones, including Achilles tendon repair, rotator cuff repair, and quadriceps tendon repair.
  
  
  • Ligament reconstruction: Ligament injuries, such as a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee, may require replacing the damaged ligament with a graft to restore stability and function.
  
  
  • Hand and wrist surgery: Treatment for condition such as carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, tendonitis, fractures, and arthritis, with interventions ranging from release procedures to joint reconstruction.
  
  
  • Foot and ankle surgery: Procedures such as bunionectomy, ankle fusion, Achilles tendon repair, and ligament reconstruction to address conditions such as bunions, plantar fasciitis, ankle instability, and foot deformities.
  
  
  • Paediatric orthopaedic surgery: Surgeries to correct congenital or developmental conditions, such as clubfoot, scoliosis, hip dysplasia, and limb length discrepancies.
  
  
  • Sports medicine procedures: Focus on injuries related to sports or physical activities, including procedures such as meniscus repair, ACL reconstruction, shoulder stabilisation, and labral tear repair.

  
  

• Sports Injury Service

  
  

  To assist the grassroots sporting community, St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital offers an around-the-clock specialised sports injury service via our Emergency Centre (EC), with access to specialist orthopaedic surgeons. Learn more about our Sports Injury Service here.

  
  

• Upper Limb Trauma Service

  
  

  St Andrew's offers an around the clock Upper Limb on call service with upper limb surgeons on a 24/7 roster. Learn more about our Upper Limb Trauma Service here.

  
  

• Our facilities

  
  

  Our state-of-the-art facilities and advanced technology enable us to provide you with the highest standard of orthopaedic care. From non-invasive treatments to complex surgical procedures, we offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet your specific needs. Our team utilises the latest medical advancements and evidence-based practices to ensure optimal outcomes for our patients.

  
  

• Robotic-assisted orthopaedic surgery

  
  

  St Andrew’s orthopaedic surgeons have access to a Mako orthopaedic robot which is designed to improve outcomes for patients requiring total or partial hip or knee replacement surgery.

  Mako robotic surgery allows specialists to perform complex surgical procedures with the intention of more predictable outcomes through advanced pre-operative planning and surgical precision.

  For patients, the robotic technology has a range of benefits including less invasive procedures and reduced trauma to soft tissue, reduced pain, quicker rehabilitation and greater implant longevity.

  It enables the surgeon to perform comprehensive pre-operative planning through a CT scan of the patient’s joint. This includes anatomy assessment, joint balancing and customised positioning of prosthesis, all prior to the patient entering the operating theatre.

  Throughout the procedure, the Mako creates a 3D image of the patient’s joint and Mako AccuStop haptic technology enables the surgeon to cut precisely for each and every patient. While the surgeon still performs the operation, the Mako robot is another tool for surgeons to use to make an informed decision for their patients.

  Your orthopaedic surgeon will advise you on whether or not a robotic assisted surgery is the right choice for you.

  
  

• Rehabilitation

  
  

  We also understand that orthopaedic issues can cause pain, restrict your mobility, and affect your daily activities. That's why we focus not only on treating your condition but also on improving your overall quality of life. Our multidisciplinary approach may also involve physiotherapy, rehabilitation, pain management and lifestyle modifications to support your recovery and help you get back to doing the things you love.

  
  

• Our team

  
  

  Our team consists of highly skilled orthopaedic surgeons, specialised nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other allied health professionals, and support staff who work collaboratively to deliver comprehensive care. We are dedicated to providing you with personalised attention, compassionate care and support throughout your treatment journey.