Orthopaedics research at Murdoch

Our orthopaedic research led by Professor Piers Yates focuses on the use of pain relief and other medications in knee replacement patients. Research concentrates on ensuring medication is used for optimal results while also investigating if new technology improves patient outcomes after knee replacement surgery.

Our research is undertaken at St John of God Murdoch Hospital – one of the leading private hospitals providing orthopaedic care in Western Australia.

Knee replacement surgery is a common orthopaedic procedure, with about 50,000 total knee replacements occurring in Australia last year. This number is rising each year in line with our ageing population.
Orthopaedic research is particularly important as there is an increasing number of technologies and equipment available in this field. Therefore assessing patient outcomes (including recovery times, mobility, complications and time spent in hospital) ensures this technology is used effectively.
Furthermore, medication to assist recovery and care is important for patients undergoing knee and hip replacements. Optimal use of medication ensures patients have reduced pain levels and improved mobility after surgery.

Our research focuses on assessing how medications work for patients undergoing knee replacement surgery and the most effective options to reduce pain and provide optimum results.
We are also investigating, as a part of a broader study, how new and emerging knee replacement technology effects patient outcomes.

We have three clinical trials underway and are currently recruiting participants.

St John of God Murdoch Hospital

Professor Piers Yates- Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr Sam Duff- Orthopaedic Registrar
Dr Alex Swann- Consultant Anaesthetist
Dr Matt Harper- Consultant Anaesthetist
Dr Roger Tan- Consultant Anaesthetist and Pain Specialist
Dr Shanil Yapa- Orthopaedic Trainee

A mobile compression device for thrombosis prevention: a step in the right direction? PJ Yates. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2014 Feb 5;96(3):e23.

Development of a Scale to Assess Performance Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty. Lewis, Price, Dwyer, O’Brien, Heekin, Yates, Beverland, Mordin. Value in Health 17(4): 404-9; 2014.

Predictors of peri-operative blood transfusions in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing elective knee and hip arthroplasty. Graves, Yates, Hoffmann, Farmer, Ferrari. Nephrology 2014 Mar 24.

Mid term review of Adept metal-on-metal hip prosthesis. Functional, radiological and metal ion analysis. Plant, Yates, Prosser. OJO 2014.

High Failure Rates of the Spectron EF Stem at a Minimum of 10 Year's Follow-Up. Burston, Wood, Wood, Frith, Yates. JA 29(10): 1956-60, 2014.

Prognostic Factors Following Pathological Fractures. Hill, D’Allesandro, Murray, Yates. ANZ 85: 159-163, 2015.

Oral Tranexamic Acid in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Cohort Study. Stephen McGrath, Yates P, Gareth Prosser. OJO, 2014.

Validity of the retrospective application of Oxford Hip and Knee Scores. Falconer, Edmondston, Headford, Yates. J Mus Res 18(1), 2015.

Comparison of patient outcomes in periarticular and intraarticular local anaesthetic infiltration techniques in total knee arthroplasty. M Perret, P Fletcher, L Firth, P Yates. J Ortho Surg Res 2015, 10:119.

Day-of Surgery Mobilization Reduces the Length of Stay After Elective Hip Arthroplasty. Okamoto T, Ridley RJ, Edmondston SJ, Visser M, Headford J, Yates PJ. J Arthroplasty April 2016.