Elective 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 is planned ahead of time 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.
Orthopaedic 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.
Blackrock Health is home to some of the most established private orthopaedic faculties in Ireland. We can carry out minimally invasive surgeries in hi-tech facilities across all our hospitals. We offer comprehensive musculoskeletal care, with dedicated inpatient orthopaedic and spinal wards. If you have day-case surgery, our team will care for you on our comfortable day wards.
We offer the full range of orthopaedics, including consultation, diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare. Our orthopaedic consultants are internationally recognised and conduct thousands of procedures every year. Our hospitals have expert multi-disciplinary teams - including clinical nurse specialists and physiotherapists. And we use the latest technology, from robot surgery to spinal navigation techniques and real-time imaging.
Blackrock Clinic is also one of the first private hospitals in Ireland to use the Irish National Orthopaedic Register (INOR). This is a national database informing on orthopaedic surgeries and outcomes in Ireland. The aim of this register is to improve patient outcomes. Both the Hermitage Clinic and Galway Clinic are expected to enrol with INOR in 2023.
You can access our services easily with a referral from your GP and can then enjoy world-class clinical care and comfort. Over 75% of our rooms are single occupancy - to help you make a quicker recovery in a safe environment. We aim to provide you with best possible outcome, and to restore your quality of life.
Our team includes:
- Orthopaedic surgeons
- Clinical nurse specialists
- Physiotherapists
- Anaesthetists
- Pharmacists
- Discharge Co-ordinator
Who we treat
Our orthopaedic team treat several common conditions including:
- osteoarthritis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- degenerative spinal disease
- adult hip dysplasia
- degenerative disease of hip and knee
- rotator cuff injury
- ligament repair
- fractures
Procedures
Our orthopaedic consultant team specialises in upper and lower limb surgeries. These help relieve pain, treat disease and repair bones and joints. We also carry out minimally invasive joint replacement surgery with an enhanced recovery program.
Depending on your condition, surgery may offer a variety of treatments. This could include arthroscopy, partial or total joint replacement, or even repair of tendons or ligaments around a joint. It may also involve fusion of bones, or even reconstructing tendons and ligaments.
Procedures available at Blackrock Health include:
- spinal surgery
- total hip replacement surgery
- total knee replacement surgery
- shoulder replacement
- rotator cuff repair
- arthroscopies (keyhole joint surgery)
- open reduction internal fixation - to repair broken bones or serious fractures
- osteotomy (where bones are cut or reshaped to repair a joint)
- metatarsal joint replacements
- synovectomy (removal of joint tissue to ease pain)
Our specialist orthopaedic surgical team conducts thousands of procedures every year. Blackrock Health theatres are equipped with the best technology available. This includes robotic surgery, navigation, imaging and sterile environment systems.
If you need surgery that can be treated on a day case basis, our team will care for you on our dedicated day ward.
What to expect
Once you've agreed on a treatment plan with your consultant, you'll have a preoperative health assessment. This checks that you're in the best possible health for your procedure. You'll also be able to ask any questions you have.
On the morning of your procedure, you'll be shown to our Day of Surgery Admission Unit. Here, staff will prepare you for surgery and make sure this is a quick and comfortable as possible.
How do I get this?
You will need a referral letter from your GP or consultant before you make an appointment. Please see our Request Appointment Form here.
Is this insured?
Not all services are covered by health insurance. To find out if you're covered, please check your health insurance before your visit. You can do this on our health insurance Cover Check page here, or by contacting your health insurer.
How do I pay?
If you do not have health insurance or your health plan does not cover the full cost, you will need to pay the balance due before your treatment or procedure. You may be able to claim back some fees on your insurance. To pay an excess not covered by your insurance or any other inpatient fees, please visit our payment page here. If you have any queries about paying for your care, please contact the finance team in your hospital.
