Melbourne knee spe******ts

[kjwilkin]

hi guys,
The info on orthopods is really useful, but I just wondered if anyone knew if any of these surgeons have a particular specialty in Osteocondritis - a particular bone disorder usually knee related that I suffer from.
Any help or advice gratefully received. ( I had been to see Mervyn Cross in Sydney - who was great and is a v. well respected knee surgeon, but I've moved to Melbourne and may need to find someone to perform surgery down here).
thanks
charlie

Hi there,

I think that Julian Feller would probably be able to help you. Suggest you contact his rooms to see whether he'd be able to help you.

By the way, you'll get into see him at Olympic Park sooner after you've seen a sports physician there. Let me know if you want the contact details and I'll send you a private message.

Good luck !

[kneed2know]

Hi All,

I need a new plan of attack. I had a motorbike accident over 2 years ago and broke my tibia as well as injuring my sacroiliac. Lots of surgery and the leg was still very unstable. I was referred to a member of the MOG (I won't name him as it may be unfair) and he did an arthroscope as the knee had alot of pain. He said that my patella was very unstable and that I would need to eventually have a patella stabilization. Well my knee kept popping out so I made the decsion to go in for further surgery. My daughter was 7 months old and being out of action was going to put huge strain on family life but I was told it would be a 6 week recovery and the results would be worth it.

7 months later, I am still in pain and on crutches. My leg gives way constantly now as I have no quads. My right leg has 2cm muscle wastage and I have been persistent in my recovery. I am in physio weekly, hydrotherapy weekly, on an exercise bike and now have my very own tens machine that stimulates the muscles.

My surgeon is at a loss and keeps sending me for horrible tests. I endured a session of needles and electrodes to conclude that there is no nerve damage from my back injuries causing problem. I have had MRI's (useless as the images blurr as I have so much metal in the leg). Next up is cat scans and a meeting with the pain management team. He may have sewn the tendon too tight but he doesn't think so.

I was in at the surgeons almost 2 weeks ago. He was in a rush to get onto another appointment and walked out saying his secretary would get in touch to tell me when the next load of tests would be. He also said he would send over all the info to my new physio. I was in tears at the time and he was clearly uncomfortable. That was 2 weeks ago and still I have heard nothing. I have previously tried calling him when I had yet another fall and ended up in an ambulance but it was impossible. My physio is still waiting on results etc

So my question is Where to now? Should I give up on the current surgeon and find someone else? My current physio mentioned Ray Cross. Has anyone heard of him? I like the sound of Julian Feller but the wait seems awfully long. 7 months on crutches with a child that is now running everywhere and who I can't pick up because my leg could give way at any moment. It is all getting too much.

[kjwilkin]

Hi there,

I can understand what you must be going through at the moment. I was on crutches for about 6 months with a bad knee problem and had surgery with Julian Feller to correct my patella instability.

Personally I would go to another surgeon. Having seen Julian Feller for a long time I think he would be able to help you. He loves a challenge. It is worth waiting to see someone good. You will get in to see him much more quickly at Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre. He works there most Wednesday afternoons. To see him at Olympic Park you need to see a sports physician there first. There are quite a few good sports physicians there. Let me know if you want the name of a good sports physician there and will send you a private message with the details of mine. It may only take a couple of weeks to see Julian there. Otherwise you could try his main rooms. The number is 9473 8850.

I also think a good sports physician would be good in helping to manage your overall rehab. At the moment I'm doing rehab for my knee, ankle and shoulder. My sports physician is really good in helping me to work out what is most important.

Let us know how you go !!

[Alla]

Hi there

I'd check out another surgeon, you are obviously not happy with the one that you have. I also saw Julien Feller who worked wonders with my knee. I saw him within a fortnight of seeing my sports physician, and he did the surgery within 10 days of my first visit. I went through the LaTrobe Medical Centre at Bundora, where I found the service from everyone there fantastic. Personally I was surprised at how quickly I had my knee seen to. It might depend a little on what his patient list is currently at, and his schedule, but I found I got into him quite quickly.

Alla

PS. I will try to PM you.

[mons haveland]

Hei
How could I get in touch with Julain Feller. I live in Gibraltar (europe) and have heard that he's the bees knees when it comes to PCL and posterolateral reconstruction and really I would like to be seen by the best.

thank you

Julian Feller did my ACL very recently. So far I am entirely impressed with his manner and work. And yes, he does seem a nice bloke too!

Julian was the 3rd surgeon I visited - the first two didn't seem too interested in talking to me...

[kjwilkin]

Hi,

If you post your email address I'll send you his details.

[kjwilkin]

Hi there,

I've sent your a private message as a test. Please let me know if you get it.

[jnrburgers]

Hi,

I have recently seen an orthopaedic surgeon called Mr Cameron Norsworthy at Epworth Eastern in Box Hill (he also consults at Epworth Richmond) for reconstructive surgery to R. Knee ACL. However, he has suggested a new technique called LARS whereby the knee is implanted with a synthetic graft, threaded through the existing ACL. He tells me that it has been very successful overseas and recovery/rehab is much quicker than patellar/hamstring graft ops. Has anybody heard of this technique or had it performed. I know an AFL footballer (from sydney i think) recently had some press highlights using this technique and was back playing in 6 weeks.

Thanks in advance.

[kjwilkin]

I would be wary of having it. Is there any particular reason why he's suggested it ?

This procedure has actually been banned in France. Make sure you do your research before considering it.

If I was you I'd get a second opinion from Julian Feller. He does a lot of ACL recos and is the orthopod to a number of top AFL clubs in Melbourne.

[summergirl]

I actually work in co with Jullian Fellers rooms at the Epworth and he truely is good! He now has two other surgeons that work from his rooms Norsworthy and Whitehead (again, both extremely good surgeons but hard to get in to because of it).

My boyfriend has just done his L ACL and doesn't have private health. We are both young and work to pay rent and now find that the hospital alone will cost us $5000 and that's not including the surgeon etc.
And if we go through the public sector, he has to wait at least 6 months which means he won't be able to work for a decent 10 months (this obviously, is not an option for us financially).
Does anyone know what we could possibly do??