Our Full Collection Of Blog Articles
Knee Osteotomy: The Surgery That Can Delay a Knee Replacement for Younger Patients
Key Takeaways Knee osteotomy realigns the leg so body weight passes through healthier cartilage, easing pain in a single worn compartment while keeping your own joint. Pooled research suggests most carefully selected patients still have their own knee a decade later, though the benefit narrows over time. Suitability rests on the wear pattern, alignment, ligament…
What Is Sciatica and Why Does It Run Down My Leg?
Key Takeaways Sciatica describes pain that starts in the lower back or buttock and travels along the sciatic nerve into the leg, so it is a symptom pattern and not a diagnosis. Leg symptoms appear because a nerve root in the lower spine is compressed or inflamed, and the body maps that irritation across everything…
Kneecap Dislocation Surgery: When Is MPFL Reconstruction Needed?
Key Takeaways A first kneecap dislocation is usually managed without surgery, with reduction, imaging and structured rehabilitation. Reconstruction is typically considered when dislocations repeat, a loose fragment is found, or the knee still feels unsafe despite good rehabilitation. Bone shape and alignment influence the plan, so some knees may need a tibial tubercle osteotomy or…
Driving After Knee Replacement, Kneeling and Walking Timeline
Key Takeaways Driving after knee replacement usually resumes once you can brake firmly without hesitation and are off strong pain relief, commonly around four to six weeks. Australia sets no fixed waiting period after joint surgery, so the decision rests with your treating doctor and your honest assessment of control. Kneeling is the slowest milestone…
Best Orthopaedic Surgeon in Sydney: How to Choose the Right One for You
Key Takeaways No clinic can lawfully advertise the ‘best orthopaedic surgeon in Sydney’, so rankings and top-10 lists are marketing, not measurement. Specialist registration on the AHPRA register, surgical fellowship and a clear subspecialty focus are the checks that carry real weight. A written estimate covering surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital and implant fees prevents most cost…
Hip Resurfacing Recovery: When Can You Return to the Gym?
Key Takeaways Returning to the gym happens in stages, with rehabilitation exercises, cycling and controlled machine work generally preceding heavy lower-body or impact training. Squats, deadlifts, and lunges should progress through supported, lighter variations before depth, resistance, and complexity are increased. Heavier training depends on satisfactory bone healing, imaging, gait, strength, movement symmetry and the…
What Happens If Hip Resurfacing Fails? Revision Surgery Explained
Key Takeaways Pain, swelling, clicking, or a limp do not automatically mean hip resurfacing has failed; assessment may include X-rays, blood tests, metal-ion testing and specialised imaging. Some stable implants can be monitored, while fracture, infection, loosening, tissue damage or progressive loss of function may make revision more appropriate. Revision may replace only the femoral…
Can Women Have Hip Resurfacing? Understanding Who Is Suitable
Key Takeaways Women can be suitable for hip resurfacing, but eligibility depends more on component size, bone quality, diagnosis and implant type than sex alone. Smaller anatomy, osteoporosis, dysplasia, osteonecrosis, kidney disease or metal sensitivity may make total hip replacement the more predictable option. Metal-on-metal resurfacing requires careful selection and ongoing surveillance, including metal-ion testing…
Hip Resurfacing vs Hip Replacement: Which Lasts Longer for Younger Patients?
Key Takeaways Neither procedure automatically lasts longer; the best option depends on anatomy, bone quality, diagnosis, activity goals, and surgeon’s experience. Hip resurfacing can perform well in carefully selected younger men with strong bone, larger component sizes, and primary osteoarthritis. Modern total hip replacement offers more predictable outcomes across a broader range of patients and…
How Long Does an Anterior Hip Replacement Last? Implant Lifespan Explained
Key Takeaways Modern anterior hip replacements commonly remain unrevised for 20 years or longer, although no lifespan can be guaranteed for an individual patient. The anterior approach does not make the implant last longer; longevity depends more on materials, fixation, component positioning, diagnosis, and patient factors. Registry survival figures measure whether revision occurred, not whether…
When Can You Drive After an Anterior Hip Replacement?
Key Takeaways Driving after anterior hip replacement is guided by functional readiness rather than a fixed date, although many patients are advised to wait around four to six weeks. The operated side and vehicle type matter, with right-sided surgery and manual transmission generally placing greater demands on pedal control. You should be able to enter…
What Can Delay Recovery After an Anterior Hip Replacement?
Key Takeaways Recovery after anterior hip replacement varies, and slower progress can reflect preoperative weakness, general health, procedure complexity or normal individual healing rather than surgical failure. Doing too much or too little can both delay progress, so activity should increase gradually according to pain, swelling, fatigue, and next-day response. Persistent limping, groin discomfort, poor…
Can Hip Dysplasia Be Managed Without Surgery? Understanding Your Options
Key Takeaways Many adults can manage hip dysplasia without immediate surgery when symptoms remain controllable, function is acceptable and targeted rehabilitation is helping. Physiotherapy can improve muscular support, movement control and activity tolerance, but it cannot reshape or reorient an undercovered hip socket. Progress should be judged through practical changes in pain, stability, walking, work…
How Is Hip Dysplasia Diagnosed in Adults? Signs, Imaging, and Assessment
Key Takeaways Adult hip dysplasia is diagnosed by combining symptoms, physical examination and properly performed imaging rather than relying on one scan or measurement. Standing pelvic X-rays assess socket coverage, alignment and arthritis, while MRI and CT may provide further information about the labrum, cartilage and three-dimensional anatomy. Borderline measurements require careful interpretation because hips…
Can Hip Arthroscopy Help Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)?
Key Takeaway Hip arthroscopy may help selected patients when FAI symptoms, examination findings and imaging all point to a treatable problem inside the joint. Cam or pincer morphology on a scan does not automatically require treatment, particularly when it is not causing symptoms or when function is improving with rehabilitation. Non-surgical care may improve strength,…
Hip Arthroscopy Recovery Timeline: When Can You Walk, Drive, and Exercise Again?
Key Takeaway Recovery after hip arthroscopy progresses through a series of stages, with walking, driving, work and exercise returning at different times depending on the procedure performed and individual healing. Functional milestones, such as walking without a limp, regaining strength and restoring movement, are more useful guides than relying on the calendar alone. Physiotherapy plays…
Hip Replacement Medicare Coverage: Will Medicare or My Health Fund Pay?
Key Takeaways Medicare fully funds a hip replacement for public patients in public hospitals, though you join a waiting list and the hospital allocates your surgeon. As a private patient, Medicare pays 75% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule fee for your doctors, while your fund covers the balance plus hospital and implant costs. Joint replacement…
How Long Does a Joint Replacement Last in Australia? What 20 Years of Registry Data Shows
Key Takeaways Registry data to the end of 2024 shows most modern hips and knees are still in place at 10, 15 and 20 years, with revision rates reported as a range. Age at surgery has the strongest link to longevity, with younger patients recorded as having higher 20-year revision rates. Weight, general health, the…
Returning to Gardening After a Posterior Hip Replacement
Key Takeaways Light, raised-surface tasks such as watering, pruning, and repotting usually return before kneeling, digging, mowing, or carrying heavy materials. Progress should reflect your posterior precautions, strength, balance, and movement control rather than one fixed gardening date. Long-handled tools, raised beds, stable stool,s and smaller loads can reduce bending, twisting, and strain while you…
What Muscles Are Affected During a Posterior Hip Replacement?
Key Takeaways Posterior hip replacement usually splits the gluteus maximus along its fibres and releases selected short external rotator tendons and the posterior capsule to access the joint. The gluteus medius and minimus are generally preserved, while the released tendons and capsule are commonly repaired before the wound is closed. Temporary soreness, weakness, or limping…