Public Service

Counties Manukau DHB Orthopaedics

Description

What is the Orthopaedic Department?

This department deals with conditions of the musculoskeletal system (disorders of bones and joints of the limbs and spine). The specialty covers a range of different types of conditions starting with congenital (conditions which children are born with) through to degenerative (conditions relating to the wearing out of joints). The field of orthopaedics also covers trauma where bones are broken or injuries are sustained to limbs.

Other conditions that sit under the spectrum of orthopaedics are metabolic conditions, neurological and inflammatory conditions.

Orthopaedic Services Provided by Counties Manukau District Health Board
Orthopaedic services provided are outpatient clinics and inpatient (ward) care.

Outpatient clinics see all general orthopaedic conditions and skeletal trauma for people in the Counties Manukau area. Paediatric surgery, rheumatoid surgery, muscle skeletal tumours and spinal disorders such as scoliosis and kyphosis are seen and treated for people in all regions. The Orthopaedic Department works in close liaison with the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the Department of Rheumatology and with the Auckland Spinal Unit in Otara.

Referral Expectations

Acute Patients - Middlemore Hospital

If you have an urgent problem requiring immediate care you will be referred to the Emergency Care Department at Middlemore Hospital.

Elective Inpatients - Middlemore Hospital Manukau Surgery Centre
Outpatients - Manukau SuperClinic™ Module 1

Your GP will send us a letter explaining your condition. We will make an appointment time for you, based on your health need, and send it directly to you. For urgent needs e.g. serious infections or malignant tumours you will be seen right away. For other conditions e.g. painful arthritis that makes movement difficult, you will be seen within 6 months.

You will be seen in the outpatient clinic by specialist doctors who will discuss treatment options and recommendations with you. If surgery is required you will be added to the waiting list.

To clinic visits you need to bring with you:

Any letters or reports from your doctor or other hospital
Any X-Rays, CT or MRI films and reports
All medicines you are taking including herbal and natural remedies
Your pharmaceutical entitlement card
Your ACC number, if you have one

Services / Procedures / Treatments

Arthroscopy (Keyhole Surgery)

Over the last 30 years a large number of orthopaedic procedures on joints have been performed using an arthroscope, where a fibre optic telescope is used to look inside the joint. With this type of keyhole surgery, fine instruments can be introduced through small incisions (portals) to allow surgery to... More
Fracture Clinics

These clinics are run by the Orthopaedic Department for patients who have sustained an injury that has already been treated and further follow-up of that injury is required to monitor progress... More
General Outpatient Clinics

These clinics are for patients who have been referred by their doctor for an orthopaedic opinion on a specific concern... More
Joint Replacement

Joint replacement surgery is commonly required to treat joints which are worn out from arthritis or other forms of joint disease including rheumatoid arthritis... More
Orthopaedic Tumour Service

The Orthopaedic Tumour Service investigates, diagnoses and treats tumours which occur in bone and soft tissues (e.g... More
Osteotomy

The division of a crooked or bent bone to improve alignment of the limb. These procedures normally involve some form of internal fixation, such as rods or plates, or external fixation which involves external wires and pins to hold the bone... More
Pre-Admission Clinic (Elective Inpatient)

A week or two prior to your elective surgery you will be seen in a pre-admission clinic... More
Soft Tissue (Muscles, Tendons and Ligaments)

In many cases tendons will be lengthened to improve the muscle balance around a joint or tendons will be transferred to give overall better joint function... More
Specialty Clinics

These are clinics for specific parts of the body or specific conditions... More

Charges

There are no charges for services to public patients if you are lawfully in New Zealand and meet one of the Eligibility Directions specified criteria set by the Ministry of Health. If you do not meet the criteria, you will be required to pay for the full costs of any medical treatment you receive during your stay.

To check whether you meet the specified eligibility criteria, visit the Ministry of Health website.

For any applicable charges, please phone the Accounts Receivable Office on (09) 276 0060.