?

Central Auckland, East Auckland, North Auckland, South Auckland, West Auckland > Private Hospitals & Specialists >

Edward Yee - Spine & Orthopaedic Surgeon

Private Service, Orthopaedics

Today

Description

Edward Yee is a spine and orthopaedic surgeon in both private and public practice in Auckland's North Shore.
 
What is Orthopaedics?
This is a surgical specialty that 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 problems such as metabolic, neurological and inflammatory conditions that are associated with the musculoskeletal system can also be covered by the Orthopaedic Specialty

Consultants

Referral Expectations

You need to bring with you to your appointment:

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

Fees and Charges Description

First appointment : $380.00

Follow up : $160.00

ACC free with valid claim number for condition being seen.

Hours

Tue 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Please contact the practice during business hours, Monday to Friday for inquiries and appointments. Edward typically consults on Tuesdays and alternate Thursdays

Procedures / Treatments

Herniated Discs

Between the vertebrae in your spine are flat, round discs that act as shock absorbers for the spinal bones. Sometimes some of the gel-like substance in the center of the disc (nucleus) bulges out through the tough outer ring (annulus) and into the spinal canal. This is known as a herniated or ruptured disc and the pressure it puts on the spinal nerves often causes symptoms such as pain, numbness and tingling. Initial treatment for a herniated disc may involve low level activity, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication and physiotherapy. If these approaches fail to reduce or remove the pain, surgical treatment may be considered. Discectomy This surgery is performed to remove part or all of a herniated intervertebral disc. Open discectomy – involves making an incision (cut) over the vertebra and stripping back the muscles to expose the herniated disc. The entire disc, or parts of it are removed, thus relieving pressure on the spinal nerves. Microdiscectomy – this is a ‘minimally invasive’ surgical technique, meaning it requires smaller incisions and no muscle stripping is required. Tiny, specialised instruments are used to remove the disc or disc fragments. Laminectomy or Laminotomy These procedures involve making an incision down the centre of the back and removing some or all of the bony arch (lamina) of a vertebra. In a laminectomy, all or most of the lamina is surgically removed while a laminotomy involves partial removal of the lamina. By making more room in the spinal canal, these procedures reduce pressure on the spinal nerves. They also give the surgeon better access to the disc and other parts of the spine if further procedures e.g. discectomy, spinal fusion, are required. Spinal Fusion In this procedure, individual vertebrae are fused together so that no movement can occur between the vertebrae and hence pain is reduced. Spinal fusion may be required for disc herniation in the cervical region of the spine as well as for some cases of vertebral fracture and to prevent pain-inducing movements.

Between the vertebrae in your spine are flat, round discs that act as shock absorbers for the spinal bones. Sometimes some of the gel-like substance in the center of the disc (nucleus) bulges out through the tough outer ring (annulus) and into the spinal canal. This is known as a herniated or ruptured disc and the pressure it puts on the spinal nerves often causes symptoms such as pain, numbness and tingling.

Initial treatment for a herniated disc may involve low level activity, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication and physiotherapy. If these approaches fail to reduce or remove the pain, surgical treatment may be considered.

Discectomy
This surgery is performed to remove part or all of a herniated intervertebral disc.

Open discectomy – involves making an incision (cut) over the vertebra and stripping back the muscles to expose the herniated disc. The entire disc, or parts of it are removed, thus relieving pressure on the spinal nerves.

Microdiscectomy – this is a ‘minimally invasive’ surgical technique, meaning it requires smaller incisions and no muscle stripping is required. Tiny, specialised instruments are used to remove the disc or disc fragments.

Laminectomy or Laminotomy
These procedures involve making an incision down the centre of the back and removing some or all of the bony arch (lamina) of a vertebra.

In a laminectomy, all or most of the lamina is surgically removed while a laminotomy involves partial removal of the lamina.

By making more room in the spinal canal, these procedures reduce pressure on the spinal nerves. They also give the surgeon better access to the disc and other parts of the spine if further procedures e.g. discectomy, spinal fusion, are required.

Spinal Fusion
In this procedure, individual vertebrae are fused together so that no movement can occur between the vertebrae and hence pain is reduced. Spinal fusion may be required for disc herniation in the cervical region of the spine as well as for some cases of vertebral fracture and to prevent pain-inducing movements.

Hip and Knee Joint Replacements

Joint replacement surgery is commonly used to treat end stage damaged joints. The joint damage can be the result of wearing out such as osteoarthritis or other forms of joint disease including rheumatoid arthritis or after trauma. In these procedures, the damaged joint is replaced by an artificial joint usually composed of metal, plastics or ceramics. These operations are major procedures which require the patient to be in hospital for several days and followed by a significant period of rehabilitation. The procedure for joint replacement and the specifics for the procedure will be covered at the time of assessment and booking of surgery. Occasionally blood transfusions are required; if you have some concerns raise this with your surgeon during consultation.

Joint replacement surgery is commonly used to treat end stage damaged joints. The joint damage can be the result of wearing out such as osteoarthritis or other forms of joint disease including rheumatoid arthritis or after trauma. In these procedures, the damaged joint is replaced by an artificial joint usually composed of metal, plastics or ceramics.

These operations are major procedures which require the patient to be in hospital for several days and followed by a significant period of rehabilitation. The procedure for joint replacement and the specifics for the procedure will be covered at the time of assessment and booking of surgery.

Occasionally blood transfusions are required; if you have some concerns raise this with your surgeon during consultation.

Spinal Stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal canal or spinal stenosis can lead to compression of the spinal cord or spinal nerves, depending on the location of the stenosis. It can result in pain or loss of function of arms or legs or both. Surgery can be used to relieve the stenosis in certain cases.

Narrowing of the spinal canal or spinal stenosis can lead to compression of the spinal cord or spinal nerves, depending on the location of the stenosis.

It can result in pain or loss of function of arms or legs or both.

Surgery can be used to relieve the stenosis in certain cases.

Spinal Fusion

In special cases, a spinal fusion maybe required. In general terms, it is not a recommended treatment option for isolated neck or low back pain due to its unpredictability and changes in the spinal biomechanics.

In special cases, a spinal fusion maybe required. In general terms, it is not a recommended treatment option for isolated neck or low back pain due to its unpredictability and changes in the spinal biomechanics.

Public Transport

The Auckland Transport Journey Planner will help you to plan your journey.

Parking

Patient parking is provided.

Contact Details

Shakespeare Orthopaedic Institute
Suite 1, First Floor
209 Shakespeare Road
Milford
Auckland 0620

Information about this location

View on Google Maps

Get directions

Street Address

Shakespeare Orthopaedic Institute
Suite 1, First Floor
209 Shakespeare Road
Milford
Auckland 0620

Postal Address

PO Box 31 570,
Milford
Auckland 0741

This page was last updated at 3:24PM on August 10, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by Edward Yee - Spine & Orthopaedic Surgeon.