Working with the professional theatre team and skilled anaesthetists at the Cairns Private Hospital we are able to carry out all surgical procedures effectively.
The Orthopaedic ward is staffed by experienced qualified nurses.
Their compassionate care is combined with extensive orthopaedic experience.
The Orthopaedic unit is supported by a multidisciplinary team, including physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
The ward is fully equipped with the latest mobility aids and equipment to assist with mobilisation and rehabilitation, including crutches, four-wheel walkers, pick up frames and rollator frames.
The hospital provides a pre-admission clinic and you will receive information about your stay. To provide you, our patient, with peace of mind we would like you to consider some of the most common surgical procedures, that, if the need arises, can improve your life’s quality.
Knee Arthroscopy
A telescope/video camera is put in through two small cuts at the front of the knee. This then enables us to remove any torn fragments of what is causing the problem, a procedure which will almost certainly remove the pain. This procedure reflects a low complication rate.
The procedure traditionally is performed as Day Surgery with the potential to return to work within a few days, however, exercise caution as full recovery may be 6 - 12 months.
ACL Reconstruction (Anterior Cruciate Ligament)
A knee arthroscopy is performed. We then make an incision just below the knee and the hamstring tendons are removed enabling a tendon graft to be placed up through the knee replacing the Hamstring and fixed in place using a plastic bioabsorbable pin.
This procedure also has low complications and will see you overnighting in hospital. You will have with 1-2 weeks using crutches and up to 6 weeks off work. Full recovery could take 12 months.
Shoulder Arthroscopic Acromioplasty
After an Arthroscopic examination of the shoulder, the objective of this procedure is to stop the tendon rubbing on the bony arch as your arm is being elevated. This is achieved with the removal of bone from the bony arch to open the space available for the tendon. Low rates of complication with an overnight stay in hospital.
Unfortunately, soreness will be experienced for 2 weeks and up to 8 weeks for a return to work. Full recovery may not be for a year.
Total Knee/Hip Replacement
There are occasions where alternate treatments prove in-effective and a total Knee or hip replacement is warranted. These procedures remove the diseased joints and replaces them with an artificial joint. These procedures will provide relief from the relentless pain. The prosthesis is sophisticated but can’t function as effectively as the real joint. Once again, low complications. Your hospital stay usually is 5 – 10 days.
You will have home style mobility for 6 weeks. Return to most activities around the 90-day mark with full mobility returning at around 12 months.
OrthoShep is a Cairns Orthopaedic Specialist that has been operating in the region since 1993. The practice is run by Dr. David Shepherd, a Cairns Orthopaedic Surgeon. We mostly provide Cairns Hip Transplants and Cairns Knee Transplants but cater to all Orthopaedic requirements. A common surgery request is for Cairns Shoulder Replacement which we can assist with also. In 2023 we opened our Atherton Orthopaedic Specialist clinic where we provide the same professional medical services. These services are carried out by a qualified and experienced Atherton Orthopaedic Surgeon. From here we can assist with Atherton Hip Transplants and Atherton Knee Transplants along with Atherton Shoulder Replacement surgery and all other Orthopaedic services.
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