Author Archives: David Slattery

Hip replacement is major surgery, requiring a careful and considered approach to ensure the best and speediest path to recovery. Regardless of what stage you’re at – whether you’re pre-operative and considering hip replacement, a few days out of the hospital or several weeks into your recovery– you’ll most likely have a lot of questions. Dr David Slattery wants to make the hip replacement surgery recovery process as streamlined as possible for every patient, ensuring that they fully understand what they need to do at each stage of their recovery to achieve their optimal health outcomes.  To help you more fully understand your path to recovery after hip replacement, Dr Slattery has prepared this article addressing a couple of common questions he receives from patients during their recovery. Read on and be a more informed patient.  How does recovery from hip replacement work?  Recovery from hip replacement is similar to recovery from any other major surgery – your doctor and other healthcare professionals will work with you to develop a phased recovery plan that gradually returns you to your normal activities. Dr Slattery uses enhanced recovery techniques to expedite your recovery, what used to be many weeks in hospital recovering is now only a matter of days.  Patients are up and mobilising day 1 after the procedure with the assistance of physiotherapy, and a frame or crutches.  From there you steadily progress to being independent with simple activities such as getting dressed, going to the bathroom and moving around the house.  Your recovery involves constantly progressing activities and movements. Initially ankle pumps, leg raises, and heel lifts are done and then progressing to balancing and strength activities using resistance bands.  These build up over time to independent walking without a gait aid.  Most patients are off their crutches and walking well by 4-6 weeks post op.  Overall, it may take up to six months to completely return to all of your previous activities – especially if you’re involved in strenuous activities such as running or cycling.   What kind of pain can occur after hip replacement surgery?  If you’ve previously had […]

Recent advances in technology are changing the way many orthopaedic surgeons – including Dr David Slattery – are conducting common procedures. Key amongst these is the rise in the use of robotic knee replacement as an option for patients suffering from various forms of arthritis as well as other conditions. But what is it, and is it right for your condition?  In this blog, we take a look at what sets robotic knee replacement apart from traditional methods, helping you determine whether it’s something worth discussing with your medical professional.  Greater precision & customisability  Robotic knee surgery involves the usage of computer-controlled tools to assist in the selection/creation of the prosthesis and the cutting required to fit the prosthesis. The procedure may vary based on the specific system selected by your orthopaedic surgeon, but broadly robotic knee surgery takes place in three stages: Modelling – Your surgeon will make a 3D scan of the knee, allowing them to select a prosthesis that more precisely fits your anatomy. This step is either done preoperatively in conjunction with a CT scan or intraoperatively by direct surface mapping. As part of this step, the range of motion and stability of the joint will be simulated, helping to ensure a better match between patient and prosthesis.  Surgery – During the surgery itself, the surgeon uses the robotic system to assist in cutting into the bone and positioning the implant. Real-time imaging ensures that small – but crucial – revision cuts can be made intraoperatively to ensure the best possible fit. Throughout the process, surgical cuts are compared to the chosen simulation, minimising the risk of surgical error.  Testing – After components have been placed, the robotic system assists the surgeon in checking the range of movement and stability against the simulation, letting the surgeon know immediately if revision is required.  A specialist orthopaedic surgeon with experience in robotic surgery Dr David Slattery is proud to offer patients the ability to work with an orthopaedic surgeon trained in robotic knee replacement. Having successfully performed hundreds of traditional knee replacements, Dr Slattery is excited about the […]

Pain in your tendons, joints or muscles can have a significant impact on your day to day life. From stopping you doing the activities you love to making something as simple as driving, shopping or working painful and difficult, long-term pain can stop you being your best. Fortunately, there is help. Many Australians experiencing pain in these areas find value in speaking to an orthopaedic surgeon. These professionals can help you understand the underlying cause of your back, knee or hip pain, helping you overcome it and return to the things you love the most. Dr David Slattery is devoted to helping his patients make more informed choices about their bodies and their health, so his team has prepared this short article explaining what it is an orthopaedic surgeon does, what their area of practice is, and how they can help you. A broad area of treatment Orthopaedic surgeons are one of the most commonly seen medical specialists in Australia, and with good reason. Orthopaedics is concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system – that is, bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints and other connective tissue. With such a broad area of practice, many people will find themselves speaking to an orthopaedic surgeon at some point in their life in relation to a wide variety of conditions from arthritis to carpal tunnel and certain fractures. Patients suffering from sports injuries, certain infections, or tumours may be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon, with many specialising in a certain area of the body such as the foot and ankle or the spine, or on a certain demographic through paediatrics or sports medicine. A range of options available Despite the title, orthopaedic surgeons commonly use both surgical and non-surgical (also known as conservative) methods to treat conditions. These conservative treatments can include medication, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, exercise and manipulation of the affected area among others. Orthopaedic surgeons will ideally only pursue surgery as a last resort, striving to help restore your quality of life without the interruption of a stint in hospital. The result – where successful – is a return to a […]