How Northern Beaches Hospital Redefines Orthopaedic Care
From complex joint replacements to intricate spinal surgeries, Northern Beaches Hospital Orthopaedics Department is tailored to meet the diverse needs of its patient population.
In the realm of cutting-edge orthopaedic care, Northern Beaches Hospital boasts a comprehensive range of services with pioneering treatments and exceptional patient outcomes.
Some of Australia’s highest trained and experienced joint replacement surgeons operate at Northern Beaches Hospital, and one of the hallmarks of the department’s success lies in its adoption of cutting-edge technologies.
It uses the latest in orthopaedic technology, such as the MAKO robot for knee joint replacements and patient specific 3D printed surgical implant guides, to improve patient outcomes.
Two Orthopaedic surgeons, Dr Tristan Rappo and Dr MK Chan, tell Peninsula Living how they perform procedures with unprecedented precision and efficiency, leading to faster recovery times and improved patient satisfaction.
Dr Tristan Rappo – Peninsula Orthopaedics
Dr Rappo is a hip and knee subspecialist with a special interest in robotic hip and knee replacement who also treats trauma and sport-induced injuries, including joint replacement.
He tells Peninsula Living that as the local community is generally fit, active and healthy, joint health is very important and his main surgeries are treating osteoarthritis of the hip and knee with robotics.
“Robotic technology in hip and knee replacements gives the surgeon the ability to improve the accuracy and the reproducibility of the surgery,” he explains. “We construct a computer 3D model of the patient’s hip or knee, which provides the information required to tailor the joint replacement specific to the patient’s anatomy.
“Beyond that, we then use the robot to execute aspects of the surgery that allows us to position the hip and knee replacement in the desired position with more accuracy and reproducibility than was possible years ago.”
Recovery time varies depending on the patient, but he says, “Northern Beaches Hospital’s accelerated rehabilitation program ensures they get back to their activities and hobbies as soon as possible.”
Dr Rappo graduated in medicine (MBBS) from the University of Sydney. He gained his fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in 2019 and completed a postgraduate fellowship in hip and knee reconstruction with the Peninsula Orthopaedic Research Institute.
To make an appointment with Dr Rappo, patients need a referral from their GP or physiotherapist and can make contact directly through his rooms.
Peninsula Orthopaedics
Suite 20, Level 7
Northern Beaches Hospital
105 Frenchs Forest Road West
Tel: 02 9971 8018
reception@tristanrappo.com.au
Dr MK Chan
Dr Chan is a trilingual (English, Cantonese and Malay) Australian fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon specialising in upper limb conditions and orthopaedic trauma.
“The Northern Beaches is a very active community. Some of the most common orthopaedic surgeries we perform include fractures of the wrist, ankle, elbow, shoulder and tendon tears such as the rotator cuff,” he says.
“I believe in a multi-disciplinary approach in patient management for the best patient outcome. We try to optimise treatment without surgical intervention initially. We have a team of physiotherapists and exercise physiologists who design customised programs for each patient.”
“When surgery is needed, we optimise the preparation for their surgery, and afterwards we focus on rehabilitation and recovery.
“At MTP Health, we have an Urgent Injury Clinic which treats patients with fractures or injuries, taking some burden off the public health system,” explains Dr Chan.
“Instead of waiting for several hours in the emergency or fracture clinic, patients can be seen quicker. Once a GP referral is received, it will be triaged and the patient will get a phone call to confirm the appointment.”
“If the patient needs a cast or splint, we can provide them there and then. It’s much more convenient for patients.”
Like Dr Rappo, Dr Chan uses computer planning for shoulder replacement surgery, where a patient undergoes a CT scan, which is incorporated into the computer program to plan the alignment and size of the implants.
“Implants are generally made of metal including titanium, cobalt chrome alloys and polyethylene,” he adds.
“During the first six weeks after shoulder replacement, we focus on gentle rehabilitation, keeping the hand, wrist, elbow and forearm mobile, so they don’t get stiff.”
“The second phase is the next 6 weeks, when we start range of motion for the shoulder itself. After that, it is the final phase when the focus is on strengthening.”
Dr Chan obtained his medical degree (MBBS) from the University of New South Wales in 2010. He then completed his training in orthopaedic surgery in NSW and was awarded the Fellowship of the Australian Orthopaedic Association (FAOrthoA) and the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). He completed fellowships in shoulder, elbow and hand with a specific focus in arthroscopy (key-hole surgery), arthroplasty (joint replacement), and sports injuries.
MTP Health
Level 1, Suite 102-105
10 Tilley Lane Frenchs Forest Tel: 02 9055 1766
mtphealth.com.au
admin@mtphealth.com.au
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition, and the most common form of arthritis. It causes pain, swelling and stiffness, affecting a person’s ability to move freely, and occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time. Although it can damage any joint, it most commonly affects joints in hands, knees, hips and spine. Symptoms can usually be managed, but joint damage can’t be reversed. Many factors can contribute to the disorder, including joint injury or overuse, getting older and being overweight. Staying active, maintaining a healthy weight and certain treatments might slow disease progression and help improve pain and joint function.
Northern Beaches Hospital’s Orthopaedic surgeons and procedures
Local residents living in pain can get moving again with Northern Beaches Hospital’s experienced and highly trained orthopaedic specialists.
Each surgeon at Northern Beaches Hospital specialises in innovative approaches in their chosen area of interest and offers treatment for the full spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions, including hip and knee arthritis, sports injuries, spinal conditions, hand, shoulder, elbow, wrist and foot disorders, trauma and paediatric orthopaedic conditions.
Its surgeons use minimally invasive techniques including joint, muscle and tendon repair using the latest generation of screws, plugs and implants, which are used to improve patient outcomes and have you up and about quicker.
The hospital has world class orthopaedic specialists and doctors with minimal wait times for their patients.
Northern Beaches Hospital
105 Frenchs Forest Road West, Frenchs Forest
Ph: 9105 5000
www.northernbeacheshospital.com.au