A large number of orthopaedic procedures on joints are performed using an arthroscope, where a fibre optic telescope is used to look inside the joint. Through this type of keyhole surgery, fine instruments can be introduced through small incisions (portals) to allow surgery to be performed without the need for large cuts. This allows many procedures to be performed as a day stay and allows quicker return to normal function of the joint. Arthroscopic surgery is less painful than open surgery and decreases the risk of healing problems. Arthroscopy allows access to parts of the joints which can not be accessed by other types of surgery.

For elderly patients joint replacement surgery is commonly required to treat damaged joints from wearing out, arthritis or other forms of joint disease including rheumatoid arthritis. In these procedures the damaged joint surface is removed and replaced with artificial surfaces normally made from metal (chromium cobalt alloy, titanium), plastic (high density polyethelene) or ceramic which act as alternate bearing surfaces for the damaged joint. 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 hospital has several ways of approaching the procedure for 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.

Knee surgery is an operation that helps fix problems in your knee, like an injury, arthritis, a torn ligament, or damaged cartilage. Surgery might be: Arthroscopic: less invasive surgery. The surgeon makes small cuts and uses a tiny camera to see inside the knee. They can then fix or take out the damaged parts. Open: for more complicated problems, the surgeon makes a larger cut to get a better look and fix the damaged parts directly. Joint Replacement: when the knee is badly damaged, the surgeon might remove the damaged areas and replace them with parts made of special materials.

Otherwise known as degenerative arthritis. OA occurs when there is a breakdown of the cartilage, leaving the bones unprotected. It is very common and usually affects people as they get older. You can get it at any age and are more likely to if you have previously injured a joint, or are overweight. The symptoms can be very mild with just occasional pain with activity. Worsening symptoms include pain with activity and stiffness with rest. Joints can become swollen and restricted in movement. Joints can change shape as the bone changes in response to loss of protection. You otherwise feel well. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the history, examination findings and sometimes x-rays. The severity of joint damage seen on x-ray does not always correlate with the degree of pain you experience. Treatment includes guided exercises, weight reduction if needed, pain relief and sometimes surgery. For more information see www.arthritis.org.nz

Osteotomy is 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. The type of procedure for fixation will be explained when the surgery is planned.

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. This occurs in children with neuromuscular conditions but also applies to a number of other conditions. Most of these procedures involve some sort of splintage after the surgery followed by a period of rehabilitation, normally supervised by a physiotherapist.

Elbow surgery is an operation that helps fix problems in the elbow, like injuries or wear and tear from arthritis. Surgery might be: Arthroscopic: less invasive surgery. The surgeon makes small cuts and uses a tiny camera to see inside the elbow. They can then fix or take out the damaged parts. Open: for more complicated problems, the surgeon makes a larger cut to get a better look and fix the damaged parts directly. Joint Replacement: when the elbow joint is badly damaged, the surgeon might remove the damaged areas and replace them with parts made of special materials.

Hand and wrist surgeries are operations that help fix problems in your hands and wrists, like broken bones, arthritis, or injuries to the tendons, ligaments, or nerves. Surgery might be: Arthroscopic: less invasive surgery. The surgeon makes small cuts and uses a tiny camera to see inside. They can then fix or take out the damaged parts. Open: for more complicated problems, the surgeon makes a larger cut to get a better look and fix the damaged parts directly.

This condition occurs when there is abnormal thickening of the deep tissue between the palm of your hand and your fingers. This thickening occurs very gradually and will start to make your fingers curl toward your palm. If this condition gets to the stage where it significantly limits your hand function, surgery may be recommended. This usually involves removal of the thickened tissue, allowing you to straighten your fingers again.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by a pinched nerve in the wrist that causes tingling, numbness and pain in your hand. Surgery to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome involves making an incision (cut) from the middle of the palm of your hand to your wrist. Tissue that is pressing on the nerve is then cut to release the pressure.

An incision (cut) is made on the side of the thigh to allow the surgeon access to the hip joint. The diseased and damaged parts of the hip joint are removed and replaced with smooth, artificial metal ‘ball’ and plastic ‘socket’ parts.

An incision (cut) is made on the front of the knee to allow the surgeon access to the knee joint. The damaged and painful areas of the thigh bone (femur) and lower leg bone (tibia), including the knee joint, are removed and replaced with metal and plastic parts.

Several small incisions (cuts) are made in the shoulder through which is inserted a small telescopic instrument with a tiny camera attached (arthroscope). The surgeon is then able to remove any bony spurs or inflamed tissue and mend torn tendons of the rotator cuff group.

This surgery involves making several small incisions (cuts) on the shoulder through which is inserted a small telescopic instrument with a tiny camera attached (arthroscope). This allows the surgeon to look inside the shoulder, identify problems and, in some cases, make repairs to damaged tissue.

An incision (cut) is made in the shoulder to allow the surgeon access to the shoulder joint. The diseased and damaged parts of the shoulder joint are removed and replaced with smooth, artificial metal ‘ball’ and plastic ‘socket’ parts.

Shoulder surgery is an operation that helps fix problems in your shoulder, like torn muscles or tendons or wear and tear from arthritis. Surgery might be: Arthroscopic: less invasive surgery. The surgeon makes small cuts and uses a tiny camera to see inside the shoulder. They can then fix or take out the damaged parts. Open: for more complicated problems, the surgeon makes a larger cut to get a better look and fix the damaged parts directly. Joint Replacement: when the shoulder is badly damaged, the surgeon might remove the damaged areas and replace them with parts made of special materials.

Orthopaedic deformities can be congenital or acquired as the result of injury, infection or tumour. Resulting in crooked limbs or discrepancies in limb length, such deformities can affect appearance and function and can often cause significant pain. Osteotomy is 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. The type of procedure for fixation will be explained when the surgery is planned. Some of the more common orthopaedic deformities are: Intoeing Bow legs (genu varum) Club foot (talipes) Developmental dislocation of the hip Bunions Limb length discrepancy