Orthopaedic Surgery
Ideally, injury and illness should be prevented. This is not always possible, and when injury occurs, the role of the health professional is to create the ideal conditions for the body to heal itself. Sometimes this is best done with surgical techniques. Orthopaedics is a surgical field related to musculoskeletal conditions affecting bones, muscles and joints. Orthopaedic surgeons work in conjunction with GPs, sports doctors, rheumatologists and associated therapists to facilitate the best possible recovery outcomes.
Orthopaedic surgeons treat a wide range of injuries, most noticeably broken and fractured bones. Cartilage, tendon, ligament and muscle injuries are also treated. Recovery after any surgical procedure is critical to success and sports medicine clinics can facilitate this process by formulating rehabilitation or return to sport programs and working with physiotherapists to guide you back to best function.
Conditions treated by orthopaedic surgeons
Bones can often heal to their original strength, but the aim with many other tissues, e.g. ligaments, is to reduce disability, improve function and offer the best healing opportunity. Function can often be restored even if full strength in a tissue is not obtained. There is a misconception (perhaps based on wishful thinking) that surgery “fixes” things but this, unfortunately, is not always the case! The body “fixes” things as best it can and surgery is just there to help!
Below is a list of common orthopaedic procedures –
Treatment of acute fractures
Knee
- Anterior cruciate reconstruction
- Arthroscopy (keyhole surgery)
- Total knee replacement
Hip
- Total hip replacement
- Arthroscopy (keyhole surgery)
Foot and Ankle
- Arthroscopy (keyhole surgery)
- Bunion realignment
- Chronic stress fractures
- Ligament and tendon reconstruction
Upper limb
- Shoulder reconstruction for dislocation
- Rotator cuff repair
- Elbow arthroscopy
- Wrist tendon release
- Carpal tunnel release
- Repair tendon injury
Spine
- Removal prolapsed disc (failed conservative treatment)
- Scoliosis surgery
- Fusion
As with all sports medicine treatments, orthopaedic intervention aims to provide an individualised treatment program suited to every person’s needs.
Dr Graeme MacDougal
M.B.B.S.(Syd) F.R.A.C.S, F.A. Orth.A. Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr Graeme MacDougal is a Sub-specialist Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon who has consulting rooms at Mona Vale on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and St Leonards NSW Australia.
Dr MacDougal has 18 years of experience in treatment of disorders of the shoulder and elbow.
Dr Andrew Wines
Dr Andrew Wines specialises in arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle in adults and children. He consults at North Sydney, Wahroonga, Moore Park, Chatswood and Dubbo.
Dr Jonathan Negus
PhD MA(Cantab) MSc MBBS MRCS FRACS FAOrthA
Dr Jonathan Negus brings a wealth of experience and a unique skill set to Sydney, with over fifteen years of training in surgery and orthopaedics with highly respected surgeons from Australia and Europe.