Orthopaedics
Mater offers a comprehensive range of orthopaedic care, including assessment, evaluation, surgery and after-surgery care
Around 850 hip and knee replacements are conducted annually at the Mater.
The main orthopaedic surgeries performed at Mater are:
- Joint replacements
- total and bi-lateral knee and hip replacements
- knee reconstructions
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- Upper limb surgery
- shoulder acromioplasty and reconstructions
- hand/finger surgery
- Spinal surgery
- laminectomy
- discectomy
- instrumented fusions
Mater has a large team of highly qualified orthopaedic surgeons specialising in upper limb, lower limb, spinal and general orthopaedics who consult and operate on-site at Mater. Each surgeon has different pre-operative and post-operative requirements. For more information in regards to your surgery please refer to your surgeons website. You can find them through our specialist listing.
How to Access:
Please phone the orthopaedic ward on (07) 4727 4243 two weeks prior to your surgery to arrange an appointment with the receptionist.
Clinics are on every Wednesday from 8am – 4pm and your appointment will take approximately 30 mins. If you are unable to attend due to living out of town or you have complex mobility concerns, a phone appointment can be arranged.
If you have any questions in relation to what to bring on your day of surgery, please write them down and bring them with you to discuss with your nurse at the preadmission clinic. Some items that may be recommended to you include:
- Canadian crutches/wheelie walker
- Night and day clothes - loose and easy to remove. Suggested items are: nighties, boxers, shorts, large dressess, button up shirts for shoulder surgery
- Toiletries
- Medication in original packaging (we are unable to accept Webster/blister packs.)
- Long handled reacher / Pick up stick (Hip replacements only)
- CPAP machine if you have OSA
- Long handled shower brush (optional)
It is necessary for you to bring all your medications into hospital with you. Hospital protocol requires that your medications be in their original packaging. Blister/ Webster packs or doset boxes are not acceptable. Your nurse will administer medications as the doctor has ordered, they will be kept in your room medication cabinet. Your medications will be returned to you on discharge and the nurse will explain to you the nature and use of any new medications that your doctor has ordered.
Should you need more medications or toiletries there is a pharmacy located on the premises. Just ask your nurse to order anything you may require. Normal Pharmacy concessions are applicable. They also hire and sell equipment you may need on discharge such as Cryo Cuff buckets.
Doctors do not have specified times for seeing patients but usually visit each day. Some Doctors work on a rotational basis on weekends and may arrange for a colleague to review you
For your safety, some protocols have been adopted. These include bed rails on your bed. These will be utilized during transport and after surgery to ensure your safety. Please wear the tractions socks provided by staff over your T.E.D. and read the Falls Prevention brochure to minimize the risk of falls. Always use the mobility aids selected by the physio when mobilizing. Please always remember to follow nursing staff instructions when it comes to mobility.
Post-surgery, Mater orthopaedic patients are supported by Mater Rehabilitation Service which is a specialised service utilising a multidisciplinary approach where nursing staff, VMOs, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, speech therapists and dieticians work together to ensure the best patient outcomes are achieved.
Contact:
Orthopaedic Unit
Phone: (07) 4727 4243
Email: orthopaedic.unit@matertsv.org.au