FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I call for an appointment and where do I park?
Our clinic is a three minute walk from Town Hall station and is also close to Martin Place Station.
What should I bring on my first appointment?
- Your GP referral letter
- A list of current medications
- If you have seen a physiotherapist, a progress letter from the physio
- Your Medicare card
- Your private health care card
- Your Pre-filled patient history form and Oxford hip or knee score.
(this can also be filled in surgery if you do not have printer at home) - Radiology reports and images (ie Xrays, MRI, Ultrasound, CT ETC)
- WorkCover/Third Party Patients require an approval and details of their claim
What hospitals do you operate at?
Dr Hope performs all procedures at two of Sydneys most prestigious and established private hospitals The Sydney Adventist Hospital and St Vincent’s Private Hospital Sydney.
For admission forms see below:
How much will I be charged for consultations?
Regular ongoing consultations with Dr Hope will be charged at $250 before Medicare rebate.
Long consultations (a full hour) will be charged at $350 before Medicare rebate.
All first consultations will be long consultations.
During your first consultation Dr Hope will:
- Take a detailed patient history
- Perform a thorough examination
- Order/review relevent investigations (XR, CT, MRI)
- Make a diagnosis
- Formulate an individualised management plan
- Immediately write a follow up letter to your GP which will usually be received by your GP within 48 hours
Please note WorkCover and Third Party consultations incur a different fee and our office should be advised accordingly.
Patients can pay by cash, credit card and EFTPOS.
Please call us on 9473 8648 to find out more.
What is Arthroscopic Surgery?
One or more small incisions are made around the joint to be viewed. The surgeon inserts an instrument called an arthoscope into the joint.
The arthoscope contains a fibre optic light source and microscopic video camera that allows the surgeon to view the joint on a television monitor to diagnose the problem, determine the extent of injury, and make any necessary repairs. Other instruments may be inserted to help view or repair the tissues inside the joint.
What is Joint Replacement Surgery?
The knee and hip are the most commonly replaced joints, although shoulders, elbows and ankles can also be replaced.
Joints contain cartilage, a rubbery material that cushions the ends of bones and facilitates movement. Over time, or if the joint has been injured, the cartilage wears away and the bones of the joint start rubbing together.
As bones rub together, bone spurs may form and the joint becomes stiff and painful. Most people have joint replacement surgery when they can no longer control the pain in their hip or knee with medication and other treatments, and the pain is significantly interfering with their lives.
Hip and Knee Replacements - How long do artificial joints last?
So more and more we’re seeing people over 55, who will probably never need to get a second replacement. As joint technology continues to evolve this will only improve.
Knee Surgery - What is an ACL reconstruction?
The ligament is reconstructed using a tendon that is passed through the inside of the knee joint and secured to the upper leg bone (femur) and one of the two lower leg bones (tibia).
The tendon used for reconstruction is called a graft and can come from different sources. It is usually taken from the patient’s own patella, hamstring, or quadriceps, or it can come from a cadaver. ACL reconstruction is most often performed through arthroscopic surgery.
Osteoarthritis - What causes osteoarthritis of the knee?
Osteoarthritis of the knee usually occurs in knees that have experienced trauma, infection or injury. A smooth, slippery, fibrous connective tissue, called articular cartilage, acts as a protective cushion between bones.
Arthritis develops as cartilage around a joint begins to deteriorate or is lost. As the articular cartilage is lost, the joint space between the bones narrows. This is an early symptom of OA of the knee and is easily seen on X-rays.
As the disease progresses, the cartilage thins, becoming grooved and fragmented. The surrounding bones react by becoming thicker. They start to grow outward and form spurs. The synovium (a membrane that produces a thick fluid that helps nourish the cartilage and keep it slippery) becomes inflamed and thickened. It may produce extra fluid, often known as “water on the knee,” that causes additional swelling.
Over a period of years, the joint slowly changes. In severe cases, when the articular cartilage is gone, the thickened bone ends rub against each other and wear away. This results in a deformity of the joint. Normal activity becomes painful and difficult.
Do I still take my normal medications?
- Blood thinners
- Any anti-inflammatories (Fish oil, Gingko, Tumeric)
- To avoid excessive bleeding in surgery these medications should usually cease one to two weeks before surgery.