What Does an Orthopaedic Surgeon Do? FAQs

An orthopaedic surgeon is a specialist doctor who diagnoses and treats problems with the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and spine. In Australia they complete years of specialist surgical training and hold a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS).

They assess injuries and conditions of the musculoskeletal system, arrange scans such as MRI and recommend treatment. Many patients never need an operation. When surgery is the right option, they perform procedures such as joint replacement, arthroscopy, ligament reconstruction and fracture repair.

They ask about your symptoms and history, examine the affected area and review any scans. Then they explain the likely cause and your treatment options. Bring your GP referral, a list of your medications and any previous imaging.

Your GP manages your overall health and a physiotherapist treats movement, strength and rehabilitation. An orthopaedic surgeon diagnoses complex bone and joint problems and performs surgery when it is needed. The three often work together on your recovery.

For hip and knee arthritis, they confirm the diagnosis and usually start with exercise, weight management and pain relief. Joint replacement is considered when pain and stiffness keep limiting daily life despite these treatments.

They find the cause, such as arthritis, a meniscus tear or a ligament injury, through an examination and often an MRI. Treatment usually starts with physiotherapy or other non surgical care, and surgery such as ligament reconstruction or knee replacement is considered when it is likely to help.

They assess injuries such as ACL tears, meniscus tears and shoulder dislocations, often with an MRI, and advise whether physiotherapy or surgery gives you the best chance of a safe return to sport.

Most back pain settles without surgery, so a GP and physiotherapist usually manage it first. A spine surgeon assesses back pain that persists or causes nerve symptoms such as leg pain, numbness or weakness, and explains whether surgery could help.

They check your wound and progress at follow up appointments, arrange physiotherapy and guide your return to work, driving and sport. Most patients see their surgeon a few weeks after the operation and again as they recover.

Our rating system is based on verified patient reviews, clinical experience metrics, communication quality, and overall patient satisfaction. Each review is screened for authenticity, and ratings are weighted to reflect genuine patient experiences. Surgeons cannot alter or influence their ratings.

We aim for full coverage. Most surgeons practising in Western Australia are listed. Surgeons can also request to claim, update, or enhance their profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice a surgeon missing, you can submit a request, and we will verify and add them within 72 hours.

When selecting a surgeon, consider their subspecialty (e.g., knee, foot & ankle, hip, shoulder, hand, spine), location and hospital affiliations, waiting times, surgeon experience and fellowship training, patient reviews, and communication style. Our platform helps filter these factors to simplify your decision.

No. We do not offer medical or clinical advice. Our directory is an information and navigation tool only. All treatment decisions should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.

Yes. We use a strict review verification process, including email validation and fraud detection, to ensure authenticity. Reviews are monitored for inappropriate, misleading, or abusive content.

Yes. The directory is completely free for patients and the general public. Surgeons may choose optional paid enhancements for additional profile features, but this does not affect ratings or listing visibility.

Our directory covers all orthopaedic subspecialties, including Hip & Knee, Foot & Ankle, Shoulder & Elbow, Hand & Wrist, Spine, Sports Orthopaedics, Trauma Surgery, Paediatrics, and Orthopaedic Oncology. Each profile clearly displays the surgeon's areas of expertise.

Absolutely. Many GPs use our platform to identify the most appropriate specialist for their patient's condition based on subspecialty focus, urgency, wait times, and geographical convenience.

We update public information weekly and allow surgeons and clinics to update their details directly. Users can also submit corrections, which are reviewed and applied promptly.

Yes. We comply with Australian privacy laws (Privacy Act 1988) and use encrypted data handling. We do not share your data with third parties without consent.

After your appointment or surgery, simply visit the surgeon's profile and click "Leave Review." You will be asked to verify your email to ensure authenticity.

Yes. Surgeons or clinic staff may respond to reviews professionally. All responses are monitored to maintain respectful communication.

You can submit an honest review. However, defamatory or unsubstantiated claims may be moderated according to Australian defamation standards. Our moderation team ensures fairness for both patients and clinicians.

We cover the entire Western Australia region, including Perth Metro, South West (Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River), Pilbara, Kimberley, Wheatbelt, Goldfields, and Great Southern. Regional accessibility and telehealth availability are included in each surgeon's profile.

The directory is operated by an independent team dedicated to improving patient access to orthopaedic care in Western Australia. We have no affiliation with particular clinics or hospital groups.

We verify AHPRA registration, subspecialty training, and publicly available professional information.

Yes. We remove defamatory, abusive, or unconstructive comments to maintain fairness.

Yes, Medicare rebates require a valid GP referral.

No directory can guarantee individual outcomes. Always follow medical advice and consult directly with your surgeon.

Search by name or specialty at the top of this page, or browse by location to see the orthopaedic surgeons near you in Perth, Murdoch, Joondalup, Subiaco, Midland, Bunbury and across Western Australia. Each profile shows where the surgeon consults, so you can choose an orthopaedic surgeon close to home.