Public Service

Waitemata DHB Orthopaedic Services

Description

What is Orthopaedic Surgery?

Orthopaedic surgery deals with conditions of the musculo-skeletal system (disorders of bones and joints of the limbs and spine). The speciality covers a range of different types of conditions, including congenital (conditions which children are born with) through to degenerative conditions of old age. Orthopaedic surgery also deals with trauma i.e. injuries sustained to the limbs or spine.

Nursing staff in our Departments include:

Charge Nurse Manager - Kaaren Marcinkowski

Charge Nurse Ward 7 - Ros Bell

Charge Nurse Ward 9 - Suzanne Huskinson and Lynette TeAhu
Nurse Educator - Bev Hopper
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Trauma) - Jodie Orchard.

Referral Expectations

Your GP will send us a letter explaining your condition. If you meet the criteria for acceptance to the service an appointment will be made for you, and sent directly to you. Based on the information in your doctor's letter, patients with more serious conditions will be seen earlier.

You will be seen in the outpatient clinic by a specialist doctor who will discuss treatment options with you.

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.

Procedures / Treatments

Fracture Clinics

These clinics are run by the Orthopaedic Department for patients who have sustained an injury that has already been treated, and a further follow-up of that injury is required. Often at these fracture clinics x-rays are taken on arrival.… More
Orthopaedic Outpatient Clinics

These are clinics for patients who have been referred by their doctor for an orthopaedic opinion on a specific problem.… More
Specialty Clinics

These are clinics which specialise in treating specific parts of the body or specific conditions.… More
Joint Replacement Surgery (Arthroplasty)

For elderly patients, joint replacement surgery is commonly required to treat joints damaged from arthritis or other forms of joint disease including rheumatoid arthritis.… More
Arthroscopy

An arthroscope is a small fibre optic telescope that can be introduced into a joint and allows surgery to be carried out for certain conditions using fine and small instruments. This eliminates the need for large incisions. Many procedures can be performed as a day stay procedure and quicker return… More
Soft Tissue (muscles, tendons and ligaments)

Orthopaedic surgery also includes surgery to muscles, tendons and ligaments. This may be required to alter muscle balance around a joint or to repair one of these damaged structures. More

Document Downloads

Surgical Patient Information (PDF, 85.7 KB)
Information pamphlet for day and overnight stay for surgical patients at Waitakere Hospital.

Includes information on:
Preparing for surgery
What to bring with you
What to do upon discharge
Your rights and obligations
Surgical Unit - Waitakere Hospital Orthopaedic Surgery Information Sheet (PDF, 299.7 KB)
Instructions for Orthopaedic Surgery patients.

Note: PDF downloads require the free Adobe Reader application to view.