Orthopaedic surgery in a nutshell
Orthopaedic surgery is surgery on your joints, bones and surrounding tissues (such as muscles), and includes such procedures as hip and knee replacements, foot, hand and shoulder surgery. It is a common type of surgery and can be required straight-away (such as following a hand injury) or as pre-planned elective surgery at a suitable time.
One of the most common reasons patients are admitted to our private hospitals is to have orthopaedic surgery.
Find out what to expect when you come to hospital for orthopaedic surgery.
Orthopaedic surgery and private hospitals
When you need orthopaedic surgery, our private hospitals give you choice and control over many aspects of your care.
Whether it's knees, hip, hands, arms, legs or back, when you chose our hospitals you're choosing total care from pre-surgery through to rehabilitation.
Remember, any surgical procedure carries risks. Make sure you discuss all possible risks with an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
1. Choose expert, compassionate orthopaedic care
At our private hospitals, the orthopaedic surgeon who cares for you in the lead up to your surgery is the same experienced specialist who performs your surgery.
They care for you using the latest technology and equipment in our hospitals to give you the best possible outcomes.
Our surgeons are also supported by our caregivers including nursing and allied health professionals who care for you from the moment you step into hospital and throughout your stay with us and beyond.
2. Choose your specialist orthopaedic surgeon
Your health is important so it makes sense that you want to choose an orthopaedic surgeon you know and trust.
You may have been referred to an orthopaedic surgeon by your GP or you may have your own preference that you wish to discuss with your GP such as choosing an orthopaedic surgeon who has been recommended by a family member or friend, or perhaps by another health professional such as your physiotherapist.
You can browse our list of specialist doctors who work at our hospitals through our Find a specialist search to find the right specialist for you.
Getting to choose your surgeon is one of the benefits of coming to private hospitals for your orthopaedic care.
3. Choose the timing of your orthopaedic surgery
When pain and injury stops you doing the things you enjoy such as playing sport, looking after your grandchildren or taking part in hobbies, your quality of life is reduced.
When you choose St John of God Health Care hospitals for your orthopedic surgery, you get quick access to treatment and surgery by a specialist orthopaedic surgeon.
Public hospital waiting times for common elective orthopaedic procedures such as hip and knee replacements can be up to six months (or even longer). At our private hospitals, the timing of your surgery is determined by your orthopaedic surgeon’s availability and your preference.
You also have the flexibility to schedule your surgery at the time that suits you.
That means you can choose to have your surgery around your work schedule or even milestones such as a weddings and birthdays. This also gives you the flexibility to time your surgery for when you have time and support people around you to enable you to rest and recover.
Orthopaedic rehabilitation and after surgery care
Once your surgery is complete, our experienced nurses, allied health professionals and doctors look after you to help you manage your pain and reach your first goals after surgery.
You may be referred to other health professionals such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists after you are discharged to continue your rehabilitation.
We also offer compassionate care in your home through our home nursing service which can provide you with care from looking after your wound to helping you to get back on your feet after surgery.
All this means you can access total care from pre-admission to surgery and recovery to rehabilitation.
Any surgical procedure carries risks. Make sure you discuss all possible risks with an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
