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 fuller range of pain-free mobility without the potential complications of surgery, helping you return to the activities you love sooner.
A compassionate orthopaedic surgeon for Melbourne
A practicing orthopaedic specialist since 2010, Dr David Slattery has helped to restore the mobility of hundreds of patients, helping them regain the ability to play with their kids, return to the sports they love and live life the way they want.
Dr Slattery believes that surgery should only be performed when absolutely necessary, and that many musculoskeletal conditions can be comprehensively addressed through conservative methods. He prides himself on taking a patient-centred focus to his practice, acting as a partner in your health ensuring that you are actively engaged in the decision-making process at every stage.
Should surgery be required, Dr Slattery’s specialisations in hip replacement, hip preservation and reconstruction, knee replacement and lower limb sports surgery will ensure that you are provided with the full range of options open to you. Dr Slattery will be able to tailor treatments to ensure the best fit for your needs and goals in the hopes of meeting your expectations for recovery.
Dr Slattery is available for consultations across Melbourne – Glenferrie Private Hospital, The Avenue Hospital, Heidelburg, Brighton and the Royal Children’s Hospital – as well as remotely via telehealth services. Should you wish to book an appointment, please contact our Glenferrie Private Hospital rooms on 03 9819 6934.