Appointment Information
Please arrive 10-15 minutes early for your first appointment to allow time to fill in the new patient registration forms.
You will need a current referral from your general practitioner or referring specialist.
Your Medicare card details will be collected by our clerical staff along with details of your private insurance or any concession cards you may have. If your appointment relates to a Workcover or compensable injury please bring details of your claim including your claim number.
It is important that you bring all relevant imaging such as x-rays, ultrasound, CT or MRI scans. If your most current images are more than 6 months old then it may be worth getting new ones repeated prior to your appointment. If you are unsure then this can be discussed with your referring doctor or one of our team.
Please bring any relevant blood or pathology tests that are relevant to your presenting problem.
It is usually a good idea to wear comfortable and loose clothing that will allow your specialist to examine your affected body part. Jeans are not recommended due to the lack of flexibility. For hip and knee examination it is useful to have a pair or shorts that can be worn.
Fees for your appointment will be discussed with you prior to your consultation. Payment of your account will be required on the day of your appointment. We accept cash and we have EFTPOS facilities available. We accept Visa and Mastercard. Your accounts can be submitted to Medicare by our staff for processing your rebate on the day of your consultation.
Please give us at least 24 hours notice for all cancellations to allow our staff to help you reschedule your appointment if required. It also allows us to offer that time-slot to patients on our waiting list or to emergency patients.
We recognise that your time is valuable and we make every effort to run on time for your appointment. Occasionally emergencies occur or some patients may require a little more time. This may cause delays that are beyond our control. We apologise in advance if this occurs and for any inconvenience that this may cause.
The Burnside War Memorial Hospital
120 Kensington Road
Toorak Gardens, SA 5065
Ph (08) 8202 7222
Adelaide Hip And Knee Centre
Suite 3, 120 Kensington Road
Toorak Gardens, SA 5065
Ph (08) 7325 4800
Jones Radiology
Attunga Medical Centre (Co-located at Burnside Hospital)
97 Hewitt Avenue
Toorak SA 5065
Ph (08) 8403 3100
Visitor car parking is available off Kensington Road on the main grounds of the hospital. Additional parking is available on Moore Street, Hewitt Avenue and Giles Street.
Our specialists consult at a number of different metropolitan and rural locations to provide greater flexibility for our patients.
- Modbury – Benson Radiology, Modbury Triangle Shopping Centre
- Strathalbyn – Reg Sisson Centre
- Goolwa – Cadell Street Medical Centre
- Ceduna – Ceduna GP Plus, Ceduna Hospital
- Mildura – Specialist Consulting Suites, Mildura Private Hospital
- Mount Barker – Summit Health Centre
- Jamestown – Goyder’s Line Medical Centre
Preparing for Surgery and Procedures
The decision to have surgery is a significant one and preparing as best you can for your surgery will help you in your recovery.
Your doctor will work with you to make sure you are well informed of the procedure and what to expect. It is important you raise any questions or concerns with your doctor to help ease your mind and prepare both mentally and physically for surgery.
Your doctor will usually refer you for routine blood tests and x-rays around a week prior to your surgery.
Certain lifestyle risk factors can slow your healing following your surgery. In preparation for your recovery aim to:
- Eat healthy – a healthy balanced diet will help your cells prepare for healing
- Quit smoking – smoking causes your blood vessels to constrict, reducing the amount of blood to your tissues. A good blood supply is needed for your body to heal and recover from surgery.
- Limit alcohol intake – alcohol contains toxins and is dehydrating. It is best limited or avoided prior to surgery.
- Reduce weight if overweight – additional weight can put stress on your joints.
- Exercise – this should be done on the advice of your doctor or physiotherapist. Good conditioning of the muscles surrounding the joint to be operated on will help your recovery.
To reduce the complication of infection after your surgery:
- Have any tooth or gum pain and infection treated well in advance of your surgery
- Any medical conditions such as urinary infections or bowel problems should be treated before surgery.
- If you have any infections including skin infections prior to your surgery you will need to inform your surgeon and have these treated before surgery.
Blood thinning medications can cause excessive bleeding following your surgery. Your surgeon will discuss with your which of your medications you will need to stop taking before your surgery. Generally your doctor will advise you to:
- Stop taking Warfarin, Aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications one week before surgery
- Stop taking herbal (homeopathic) medications prior to surgery as these can interact negatively with anaesthetic and pain medication and other medications you might require during your surgery or recovery.
- Fish Oil and Turmeric supplements use for arthritic pain can also cause increased bleeding and should be stopped 10 days prior to surgery
Arrangements should be made in advance to prepare for your recovery once discharged from hospital including:
- Ensuring your home is free from tripping hazards such as loose carpets or electric cords
- Ensuring regularly used items are easily accessible
- Arranging to have someone at home with you or to check in on you when you are discharged
- Arranging to have some one help you with everyday household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, shopping and laundry
- If you are having hip or knee surgery, make sure you have a firm chair with 2 arms and a firm back, and ensures your hips are not lower than your knees
- You may also require equipment such as a toilet seat raiser and shower chair
You will usually be admitted to hospital on the day of your surgery or the day before. You will be asked a number of questions and be required to complete forms. It is important you bring your x-rays and scans and other test results with you. An anaethetist will discuss your past medical history and any problems with past anaesthetics. A nurse will help you prepare for your surgery and accompany you to the operating suites.
For day procedures you will be able to go home when you have fully recovered from your anaesthetic and had something to eat and drink. You will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours after a general anaesthetic.
You must not drive a vehicle for at least 24 hours after a general anaesthetic.
If you are having a joint replacement surgery or other surgery requiring you to stay in hospital, you will be taken to your ward when you are awake and your pain is under control. You may stay in hospital for up to a week depending on the type of operation. This time allows the hospital staff to make sure you are safe and comfortable before discharge.
During this time you should expect:
- Staff will monitor your fluid intake and output. You may have an IV cannula to deliver fluids, antibiotics and pain medication.
- Any drips and drains in your wound from your surgery will be removed on your surgeon’s advice, usually 24 hours after your surgery.
- Your wound will be covered with a large heavy dressing. Sutures are usually dissolvable, but if not, sutures will need to be removed around 10 days after surgery. Your dressing will need to remain intact and dry until the wound has healed. You will not be able to shower until the dressing has been removed and replaced with a waterproof dressing.
- A physiotherapist will visit you regularly during your hospital stay to help you get moving and provide you with exercises for you to do at home. Your exercise regime will begin as soon as possible after surgery. You will be given equipment such as walking frames or crutches as required.
- It is important that you watch for signs of infection. If you are having procedures such as dental work or other surgery, you should consult your surgeon who may recommend antibiotics before and after your procedure to prevent infection in your new prosthesis.
You will be discharged home with medication for your pain and other medications as specified by your doctor. A follow up appointment will be booked with your surgeon once discharged.
Your new prosthesis may cause the metal detector to alarm at airports. A letter from your doctor may be required prior to travel.
Preparing for Robotic Assisted Joint Replacement Surgery
We understand that undergoing any surgical procedure can be a stressful time and you may have many questions. The following information has been written to help you understand what to expect.
1. Initial Consultation
The first step is to have a consultation appointment with one of our Orthopaedic Surgeons to discuss if you are suitable for MAKOplasty®.
If both you and your surgeon agree that MAKOplasty® is the right option for you, a CT scan will be arranged.
2. CT Scan
This will be performed for you at either Jones Radiology, Fowler Simmons, Radiology SA or Benson Radiology.
It is important that your CT scan be performed within 2 to 6 weeks of your surgery. This enables specific planning to occur and allows the best possible outcomes at the time of surgery.
3. Pre-operative Blood tests
Depending on your current health status, your past medical history and any medications you are taking, our staff will arrange a non-fasting blood test for you. Clinpath is conveniently above Jones Radiology and are able to perform these tests usually with little or no wait.
4. Pre-operative Assessment
The experienced nursing staff at Burnside Hospital offers a comprehensive pre-operative assessment service that caters to the individual patient’s discharge needs, prior to their admission.
Further questions about your discharge, rehabilitation options or services available to you when going home, can be discussed with the Pre-operative Assessment Team. Our staff will give you the contact details to arrange an appointment at a time convenient to you.
5. Physiotherapy
Pre-operatively you have the opportunity to consult with a physiotherapist that will also look after you during your stay at Burnside Hospital. In this consultation they will teach you important exercises that you can commence prior to having your surgery (pre-rehabilitation), training your muscles to be in the best possible shape for after surgery has been performed.
Leading Edge Physical Therapy service is available at the Adelaide Hip & Knee Centre. The physical therapy team work in conjuction with our surgeons to ensure you receive a personalised exercise program to optimise your results.
- Your local GP should be aware of your up coming surgery.
- If you have a history of heart disease, your cardiologist may need to provide a surgical clearance as well as assist in managing your cardiac medications before, during and after your procedure.
- Depending on your current health status, you may require a review by a perioperative physician.
- Ensure you complete any dental procedures six (6) weeks before your joint replacement surgery. This reduces the potential risk of post operative infections.
- Your orthopaedic surgeon will advise you which over-the-counter and prescription medications should not be taken before surgery. Blood thinners in particular may need to be stopped 1-2 weeks before your surgery. Ask your surgeon about these.
- Stop Smoking. This is a good idea at any time, but especially before major surgery as it reduces the risk of post-operative lung problems and improves healing.
- Lose weight if your doctor has recommended this.
- Plan what you will take to the hospital. Include comfortable clothes and toiletries.
- Inform your surgeon of infection in other areas of your body, including wounds, rashes or colds and flu.
- Have a positive attitude and see yourself getting back to the best you can be!
- Remember at all times that you have had major surgery. Give yourself the opportunity to recover.
- Avoid kneeling and twisting during the first few months.
- Care for your wound and be aware of possible complications, especially if you experience increasing pain, redness, swelling, a temperature over 38 degrees, or if there are any changes in the way you feel.
- Ask for help as much as you can when doing the chores around the house.
- Make sure you take pain relief medication if required.
- If you are going to have dental procedures or another surgery after your joint replacement please discuss the need for antibiotics with your treating and orthopaedic surgeon.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is preferable that you bring along current films to your appointment. This will save time for you and enable your surgeon to make an informed decision on your treatment.
However, we do have Jones Radiology located on the grounds of the Burnside hospital and we can arrange a xray prior to your appointment should this be required.
Actually you don’t have to produce a referral, but a Medicare rebate will not be payable.
Referrals supply your specialist with background information on your health and perhaps pathology and radiology if warranted. This assists the surgeon to make an informed decision on your treatment, whether it is more tests, monitoring, or perhaps even surgical intervention. Referrals are valid from the date of your initial appointment. Specialist to specialist – valid for 3 months. Generally 12 months from your general practitioner.
Services Australia explains that a referral does not have to be addressed to a specific specialist. If your wait is too long for the specialist on the referral, you can shop around for an earlier appointment with another specialist in that field and that is us!
Our fees are guided by the AMA and part of your surgical procedure is not covered by Medicare or your private health fund. Staff at Adelaide Hip and Knee Centre are well informed and will discuss fees with you at the time of booking your surgery.
Unfortunately we are unable to give quotes over the phone because we don’t know what surgery you may need. It is important you discuss any financial concerns with our staff and we will guide you through the process. We understand it can be confusing dealing with the health funds and Medicare and we are here to help should you need assistance.
Our surgeons also consult in Jamestown, Klemzig, Mildura, Modbury, Ceduna, Goolwa, Mount Barker and Strathalbyn. Of course also in our main rooms inside the Burnside Hospital, 120 Kensington Road, Toorak Gardens.
For most degenerative conditions such as arthritis, your doctor will recommend non-surgical treatment. Options can include physiotherapy and over the counter pain medication. Once your symptoms can no longer be managed by non-surgical options, you should discuss surgery and it’s risks and benefits with your doctor.
Typically, if you are having difficulties undertaking everyday tasks such as putting on your socks, climbing stairs or getting up out of a low chair, or you have joint pain and stiffness that keeps you up at night, you should discuss your treatment options with your doctor.
Treatment for sports injuries including ligament and tendon injuries varies widely depending on your injury, the timing of your injury and various other factors that relate to you personally, such as your level of sporting participation, your employment commitments, other medical issues and level of rehabilitation.
In general your surgeon will combine all the information from your history, examination and imaging to determine exactly what injury you have, what effects it is having on your lifestyle and whether physiotherapy rehabilitation or surgery is the right path for you. If surgery is needed, then you will work together with your surgeon to ensure that you are in peak condition before your operation and understand the post-operative rehabilitation regime.
With any surgery, even day procedures, you will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours. You will need to check with your insurance company for their rules on when you can drive after an anaesthetic. For joint replacement surgery you will be able to drive once you have good muscle control and movement of your leg. This is usually around 6 weeks after surgery.
Following surgery to repair ligaments and tendons you will be able to return to work when you are comfortable providing your job does not involve manual labour or high activity.
You will need to allow time for your new joint to heal before returning to sports and exercise. By three months after surgery you can generally return to low impact exercise and sport. Jogging and heavy weights could wear your new joint prematurely. Contact sports should be avoided.
