Top Rated Orthopaedic Surgeons in Western Australia by Subspecialty

You know something is wrong with your hip, knee, or shoulder. Your GP has mentioned a referral to an orthopaedic specialist. But then comes the harder question: which specialist, in which subspecialty, and how do you know if they're the right choice?

Finding top-rated orthopaedic surgeons in Western Australia by subspecialty, whether that involves the hip, knee, shoulder, spine, sports injuries, or paediatric orthopaedics, can be harder than it should be.

Western Australia has a large and well-credentialled group of fellowship-trained specialists across Perth, Fremantle, Bunbury, and regional WA. However, information about them is often scattered across individual clinic websites, hospital directories, and general healthcare platforms that were not designed specifically for orthopaedics.

That is the gap Best Orthopaedic Surgeons (BOS) was created to address.

BOS is an orthopaedic-focused directory for Western Australia that brings surgeon profiles, subspecialty filters, patient reviews, and direct Q&A into one focused platform.

This guide explains what qualifications and ratings to look for across six major subspecialties: hip, knee, shoulder, spine, sports injuries, and paediatric orthopaedics. It also explains how to compare surgeons and take the next step towards booking a consultation.

What "Top Rated" Actually Means for an Orthopaedic Surgeon

A high online star rating alone does not establish that a surgeon is the best match for your condition.

In orthopaedics, a strong surgeon-patient match is usually based on several factors working together:

• Recognised specialist qualifications
• Fellowship training relevant to your condition
• Experience performing the procedure you may need
• Hospital appointments and operating access
• Patient feedback relating to similar treatments
• Clear communication and realistic expectation-setting

Fellowship Training and Subspecialty Credentials

When you see qualifications such as FRACS (Orth) or FAOrthA on a surgeon's profile, they indicate recognised professional training and standing within Australian orthopaedic surgery.

FRACS (Orth) is associated with completion of accredited specialist surgical training through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

FAOrthA indicates fellowship of the Australian Orthopaedic Association and additional professional standing within the specialty.

Beyond these baseline qualifications, surgeons who focus on a particular subspecialty commonly undertake an additional one or two years of fellowship training.

Fellowship areas may include:

• Hip and knee arthroplasty
• Shoulder and elbow surgery
• Spinal surgery
• Sports orthopaedics
• Foot and ankle reconstruction
• Paediatric orthopaedics

A surgeon who has completed dedicated training in hip arthroplasty at a high-volume centre has spent additional time developing experience in that specific field beyond general orthopaedic qualification.

Some Western Australian surgeons hold multiple fellowship credentials. For example, Dr Sam Young in Subiaco is described as having fellowship training across hip, knee, and shoulder reconstruction.

Subspecialty fellowship training should be one of the first filters applied when determining whether a surgeon is suited to your condition.

Patient Reviews and Surgical Volume

Verified patient reviews provide information that qualifications alone cannot show.

They may help you understand:

• How clearly the surgeon communicates
• Whether expectations are explained realistically
• How follow-up care is handled
• Whether patients feel informed throughout treatment
• What recovery was like for people undergoing similar procedures

General online ratings can provide a starting point, but reviews from confirmed patients on healthcare-specific platforms may be more useful because they relate to genuine clinical encounters.

Surgical volume is more difficult to access publicly in Australia. Hospital appointments and the number of sites from which a surgeon operates can sometimes provide context about practice activity, although they should not be treated as a direct measurement of procedure volume.

Experience is particularly important for complex procedures such as revision joint replacement or spinal reconstruction.

Private vs Public Hospital Practice

Many respected WA orthopaedic surgeons hold appointments across both private and public hospitals.

Private appointments may include hospitals such as:

• St John of God Murdoch Hospital
• Hollywood Private Hospital
• St John of God Subiaco Hospital
• Bethesda Hospital
• Mount Private Hospital

Public appointments may include hospitals such as:

• Fiona Stanley Hospital
• Royal Perth Hospital
• Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
• Fremantle Hospital
• Osborne Park Hospital
• Perth Children's Hospital

If you have private health cover, the hospitals at which your surgeon operates can affect cost planning and available appointment pathways.

If you are using the public system, knowing whether the surgeon holds a public appointment may help you understand how their services can be accessed through GP and hospital referrals.

Top-Rated Hip and Knee Surgeons in Western Australia

Hip Replacement and Resurfacing Surgeons in Perth

Hip replacement, resurfacing, and revision arthroplasty require precision and experience. Surgeons in this field often combine dedicated fellowship training with appointments at major public and private hospitals.

Professor Piers Yates from Orthopaedics WA holds qualifications including FRCS (Tr & Orth), FRACS (Orth), and FAOrthA.

His reported practice areas include:

• Hip replacement
• Revision arthroplasty
• Hip resurfacing
• Orthopaedic trauma

His hospital appointments have included St John of God Murdoch Hospital, Fremantle Hospital, and Fiona Stanley Hospital.

Dr Rhys Clark focuses on hip arthritis, hip replacement, and hip resurfacing. His reported appointments include Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Osborne Park Hospital, and Perth Children's Hospital.

This creates an unusual combination of experience across adult hip surgery and paediatric orthopaedic care.

Dr Jean-Louis Papineau from Coastal Orthopaedics works across hip and knee replacement and deformity correction.

Dr James Larkin offers robotic hip and knee replacement procedures.

Dr Sam Young in Subiaco combines fellowship experience across hip, knee, and shoulder reconstruction with sports-related orthopaedic surgery.

Robotic Knee Replacement Surgeons in Perth

Robotic-assisted knee replacement is designed to support precise surgical planning and implant positioning.

Whether robotic surgery is appropriate depends on the patient's anatomy, condition, procedure type, and the surgeon's clinical assessment.

Dr David Wysocki uses Mako robotic-assisted technology for primary and revision knee arthroplasty.

Associate Professor Chris Jones from Orthopaedics WA lists robot-assisted surgery and unicompartmental knee replacement among his subspecialty interests.

Dr David Kerr also offers robotic-assisted knee procedures alongside sports injury and fracture care.

For patients managing complex knee conditions rather than straightforward joint replacement, Dr Ross Radic at the Perth Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Centre focuses on complex knee presentations and sports-related injuries.

The Perth Knee Clinic at Coastal Orthopaedics, established by Dr Toby Leys, focuses on conditions including:

• Ligament injuries
• Meniscal conditions
• Patellofemoral problems
• Arthritic knee conditions

A dedicated knee practice may provide a more subspecialised environment than a broad general orthopaedic clinic.

Shoulder and Spine Surgeons Practising Across WA

Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Specialists in Perth

Shoulder surgery includes rotator cuff repair, shoulder replacement, arthroscopic reconstruction, instability surgery, and management of complex upper-limb conditions.

When searching for a shoulder specialist, look for fellowship training specifically in upper-limb or shoulder-and-elbow surgery.

Dr Travis Falconer completed a dedicated shoulder and elbow fellowship at the Sydney Shoulder Research Institute, alongside international training at Shriners Hospital for Children in Portland and Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.

His reported practice locations include West Perth, Hollywood Private Hospital, Bethesda Hospital, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and Osborne Park Hospital.

Mr Satyen Gohil from Orthopaedics WA works across knee, shoulder, and sports injuries.

Mr Li-On Lam holds FRACS (Orth) and focuses on shoulder, hip, and knee surgery.

Dr Allan Wang practises in shoulder and upper-limb surgery and holds qualifications including FRACS, PhD, and FAOrthA.

Dr David Colvin in Subiaco focuses on ACL reconstruction, arthroscopy, and shoulder surgery, with a strong sports-injury component.

Mr Mark Hurworth at Murdoch Orthopaedic Clinic works across knee, shoulder, and hip conditions.

Spine Surgeons and Where They Operate in WA

Spine surgery sits at the intersection of orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery. Surgeons may enter the field through either specialist pathway before completing additional spine-focused training.

Associate Professor Greg Cunningham at the Neurospine Institute in Murdoch operates across Mount Private Hospital, St John of God Murdoch Hospital, and Fiona Stanley Hospital.

The Royal Perth Hospital State Spinal and Scoliosis Service is a major public spine surgery unit in Western Australia.

Surgeons associated with this service have included:

• Dr Peter Woodland
• Dr David Dillon
• Dr Ed Baddour
• Dr Siamak Seresti

Dr Farhaan Altaf has practised at Royal Perth Hospital, while Dr Samya Lakis in Subiaco works across private and public spine care.

Before choosing a spine surgeon, consider asking:

• Did the surgeon train through orthopaedics or neurosurgery?
• Have they completed a dedicated spine fellowship?
• Do they regularly treat your specific spinal condition?
• Do they offer both surgical and non-surgical assessment pathways?
• At which hospitals do they operate?

Sports Injury and Paediatric Orthopaedic Specialists in Perth

Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeons in WA

A sports-focused orthopaedic surgeon is different from a general sports medicine physician.

Orthopaedic sports surgeons may perform procedures such as:

• ACL reconstruction
• Meniscal repair
• Ankle ligament reconstruction
• Shoulder stabilisation
• Arthroscopic joint surgery
• Tendon repair

Look for a surgeon whose listed procedures include ligament reconstruction, arthroscopy, and sports-related joint repair rather than focusing primarily on joint replacement.

Dr Ross Radic at the Perth Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Centre holds FRACS (Orth) and FAOrthA and focuses on complex knee and sports orthopaedic injuries.

Dr Sam Young covers sports reconstructive surgery across the hip, knee, and shoulder.

Dr David Colvin focuses on ACL reconstruction, arthroscopy, and shoulder surgery.

The most appropriate surgeon depends on the location and type of injury, the patient's age and activity goals, and whether surgical treatment is required.

Paediatric Orthopaedic Care in WA

Paediatric orthopaedics requires specific training in growing bones, developmental conditions, childhood fractures, and the unique biomechanics of children.

Perth Children's Hospital manages conditions including:

• Scoliosis
• Developmental dysplasia of the hip
• Cerebral palsy-related musculoskeletal conditions
• Limb deformities
• Perthes disease
• Slipped upper femoral epiphysis
• Growth plate injuries
• Paediatric fractures

Dr Patrick Michalka is listed as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Perth Children's Hospital, with clinical interests including limb abnormalities, growth plate injuries, and childhood fractures.

Dr Rhys Clark has also held an appointment at Perth Children's Hospital alongside his adult hip practice.

For families managing a child's orthopaedic diagnosis, filtering specifically for paediatric training is essential.

Excellent outcomes in adult joint replacement do not automatically establish that a surgeon is the right choice for a child with a developmental bone condition.

The Rating Criteria That Matter Most by Subspecialty

What to Look for in a Joint Replacement Surgeon

For hip and knee replacement, useful indicators include:

• Fellowship training in arthroplasty
• Experience with primary joint replacement
• Experience managing revision procedures
• Access to robotic-assisted technology where clinically appropriate
• Clear rehabilitation pathways
• Patient reviews relating to functional outcomes

Revision arthroplasty is more complex than primary joint replacement. Experience with both may indicate broader technical expertise.

What to Look for in a Sports Injury Surgeon

For sports injuries, look for:

• Fellowship training in sports orthopaedics or arthroscopy
• Experience treating active and athletic patients
• Regular performance of ligament reconstruction
• Return-to-sport rehabilitation protocols
• Reviews from patients with similar activity goals

What to Look for in a Spine Surgeon

For spinal conditions, useful indicators include:

• A dedicated spine fellowship
• Orthopaedic or neurosurgical specialist training
• Experience treating your specific spinal diagnosis
• Experience with complex deformity or scoliosis where relevant
• Experience with minimally invasive techniques where appropriate

What to Look for in a Shoulder Surgeon

For shoulder surgery, look for fellowship training in upper-limb or shoulder-and-elbow surgery.

The surgeon's regular procedures should align with your condition, whether that involves rotator cuff repair, instability treatment, shoulder replacement, fractures, or arthroscopic reconstruction.

How to Compare Patient Reviews by Subspecialty

Patient reviews can look different depending on the type of treatment involved.

Joint replacement patients may focus on:

• Walking ability
• Pain reduction
• Rehabilitation support
• Return to normal daily activities

Sports surgery patients may focus on:

• How clearly the recovery timeline was explained
• How quickly they returned to training
• Whether activity expectations were realistic
• The quality of physiotherapy coordination

Reviews of paediatric orthopaedic care are commonly written by parents and may place particular emphasis on:

• Communication with the child
• Bedside manner
• How clearly the condition was explained to the family
• The child's comfort and confidence
• The clinical outcome

Understanding which type of feedback is relevant to your situation helps you interpret ratings more accurately.

A surgeon with excellent feedback from older joint replacement patients may not necessarily be the most suitable choice for a young athlete returning to competitive sport after an ACL tear.

How to Find and Compare WA Orthopaedic Surgeons in One Place

Searching BOS by Subspecialty, Condition, and Suburb

Best Orthopaedic Surgeons is an orthopaedic-focused platform built specifically for Western Australia.

Patients can search by:

• Hip
• Knee
• Shoulder
• Spine
• Sports injuries
• Paediatric orthopaedics
• Location
• Condition
• Procedure

Locations may include Perth metropolitan suburbs, Fremantle, Bunbury, Geraldton, and other regional areas.

This level of detail can produce more relevant search results than a general health directory that places every orthopaedic surgeon within one broad category.

Using Surgeon Profiles and Patient Q&A Before You Book

BOS surgeon profiles are designed to provide more than a name and phone number.

Profiles may include:

• Professional qualifications
• Fellowship credentials
• Hospital affiliations
• Clinic locations
• Conditions treated
• Procedures performed
• Patient reviews
• Direct Q&A options

The Q&A function can help patients confirm whether a surgeon treats a particular condition before requesting a specific GP referral or booking a consultation.

If you do not yet have a GP referral, arrange an appointment and describe your symptoms clearly so your GP can direct the referral towards the appropriate orthopaedic subspecialty.

You can then use BOS to search by condition or subspecialty and compare surgeon profiles.

Finding the Right Surgeon Does Not Have to Be Overwhelming

Western Australia has a broad and well-credentialled group of fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons across every major subspecialty.

For many patients, the challenge is not a shortage of qualified specialists. It is identifying the surgeon whose training, experience, location, and communication style align most closely with the patient's condition.

Being "top rated" in orthopaedics is not defined by a single star score.

It is the combination of:

• Fellowship training matched to the condition
• Relevant surgical experience
• Hospital and clinic access
• Patient outcomes and procedure-specific reviews
• Clear communication throughout treatment and recovery

Visit your GP and request a referral to the relevant orthopaedic subspecialty.

Then use BOS to search and compare orthopaedic surgeons by condition, subspecialty, location, qualifications, and patient feedback.

Search for orthopaedic surgeons in Western Australia through BOS.