Orthopaedics

Blackrock Health Orthopaedics is home to one of the most established private orthopaedic faculties in Ireland. Our consultants are internationally recognised. Blackrock Health’s three-hospital group offers convenient locations for the full range of orthopaedic services, including consultation, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation care.

Orthopaedic Surgery is a form of treatment for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. This includes scoliosis and arthritic or degenerative joint diseases. It also includes shoulder, hip or knee pain, and bone or joint problems arising from sports injuries. Disorders affecting these parts of the body can lead to a variety of symptoms. These include pain, weakness, inflammation, and mobility issues. These symptoms may mean that you find it difficult to do everyday activities like walking, running or climbing stairs. You may be referred to a hospital for this type of surgery by your GP if you have tried other forms of treatment and are not seeing results.

Orthopaedic surgery may be elective or emergency.

Elective orthopaedic surgery

This is planned and can be scheduled at the patient's convenience. This type of surgery typically fixes a medical condition that is not urgent or life-threatening. Surgery involves an operation to correct a problem with a bone or joint. These operations can help with chronic conditions of the musculoskeletal system. They achieve this by improving joint function, reducing pain and stiffness, and restoring function which had been lost.

Ultimately, elective orthopaedic surgery can improve quality of life - by allowing more mobility and less pain.

Orthopaedic Surgery at Blackrock Health

Orthopaedic surgery is a major area of expertise at Blackrock Health. Our specialist orthopaedic surgical team conducts thousands of procedures every year. Blackrock Health consultants use the latest technology available. This includes surgical robot systems, spinal navigation techniques, and real-time imaging. Minimally invasive surgery and hi-tech theatre surrounds are found in all our hospitals, where we offer comprehensive musculoskeletal care with dedicated orthopaedic and spinal wards. If you need surgery that can be treated on a day case basis, our team will care for you on our dedicated day ward.

From your arrival until discharge and into recovery at home, we work together to make sure you get the best treatment and care possible.

Our team includes:

• Orthopaedic surgeons
• Clinical nurse specialists
• Physiotherapists
• Anaesthetists
• Pharmacists

Who we treat:

Our orthopaedic team treats a range of common conditions including:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Degenerative Spinal Disease
• Adult Hip Dysplasia
• Degenerative Disease of Hip and Knee
• Rotator Cuff Injury
• Ligament Repair
• Fractures

Joint Replacement Surgery

Blackrock Health orthopaedic consultant teams specialise in upper and lower limb surgeries. Our three hospitals are centres of excellence for minimally invasive joint replacement surgeries, including:

• Hip Replacement
• Knee Replacement
• Shoulder Replacement

We offer a range of non-surgical and surgical options for joint pain. Our experts work together to diagnose, treat, or manage acute and chronic conditions that affect the joints. We provide specialised care from highly qualified orthopaedic surgeons and physiotherapists. We aim to identify the underlying causes of your pain by performing tests and exams - then recommend tailored treatments.

Our Hip and Knee Specialists

Hip and Knee conditions are typically treated by an orthopaedic surgeon (surgical) or a chartered physiotherapist (non-surgical). An orthopaedic surgeon can offer treatment for hip and knee injuries or arthritis - and perform surgery if needed. Physiotherapists treat hip and knee problems with exercises that improve strength and motion.

Diagnostics

Our Consultant Radiologists work closely with the Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons. Together, they aim to find a swift diagnosis and the very best treatment plan for all their patients. Here are some of the tests we can offer to help diagnose the cause of your knee pain.

X-Ray

An X-ray can be used to diagnose any structural changes in the tissues and bones in the knee, such as fractures or arthritis.

Ultrasound

An ultrasound scan is used to check for signs of tendonitis, bursitis, or joint inflammation in the knee.

MRI Scan

An MRI may be ordered to rule out other potential causes of knee pain like tumours or fractures that cannot be seen on an X-ray.

CT Scan

A CT scan allows doctors to see detailed images of structures within the body to help identify sources of pain. They can provide more information about underlying conditions like arthritis or ligament tears.

Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery

A surgical hip or knee replacement is a procedure in which a damaged joint is replaced with an artificial device. The procedure is usually performed under general anaesthetic, and a small incision is made to allow the surgeon to access the joint. Once the surgeon has access, the damaged parts are removed and replaced with the artificial joint. The new joint is then secured in place using bone cement or other methods. After the procedure, patients typically stay in the hospital for a few days to recover. They also receive physical therapy to help them regain strength and mobility. With proper care and rehabilitation, most patients are soon able to resume normal activities.

Robot Assisted Surgery at Blackrock Clinic

Blackrock Clinic offers a surgical procedure called Mako Robotic Arm Assisted Surgery. This procedure is used for joint replacements in hips and knees. It uses a robotic arm to assist the surgeon in placing implants in the joint with greater accuracy. This results in better outcomes for the patient and can reduce the risk of complications.

The Mako system involves a preoperative CT scan of the joint that is then used to create a 3D model of the patient's anatomy. This allows the surgeon to plan the procedure in advance and use the robotic arm during surgery to execute the plan with greater precision. The robotic arm has sensors that provide real-time feedback to the surgeon. This helps ensure that the implants are placed exactly where they should be.

Mako Robotic Arm Assisted Surgery has been shown to result in shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times for patients. It is a safe and effective way to get joint replacements. Many patients report a significant reduction in joint pain and improved function after this procedure.

What can you expect after attending Blackrock Health with hip and knee pain?

The underlying causes of hip and knee pain can vary greatly and are often complex. While self-care and nonsurgical therapies can succeed at managing symptoms, some cases may need surgery. No matter which approach you choose, the best path to treating chronic joint pain is to get an accurate diagnosis. We can then give you comprehensive guidance from our team. With their expertise, we aim to reduce pain and optimise your mobility.

At Blackrock Health we offer patients quick and easy access through GP referrals. Blackrock Health brings you world-class clinical care and world-class comfort - over 75% of our rooms are single occupancy. This will help you make a quicker recovery.