Melbourne knee spe******ts

[kjwilkin]

There are actually schemes now that can loan you money to help pay for surgery. From memory Julian Feller has information on these types of schemes. My brother's friend took out a personal loan to have his knee done privately.

It is worth while paying to get a good surgeon. You only get one lot of knees and is important to get it right the first time.

What type of work does your boyfriend do ? He should still be able to work while recuperating from this type of surgery.

[von]

Hi there,
Has anyone had surgery to repair a torn ACL by Mr Andrew Shimmin? I have read about the great work of the likes of Julian Feller and John Bartlett, however the waiting list is too long and so have looked elsewhere. I am a little concerned as most people recommend the same few surgeons, and am worried the quality or the results of other surgeons are inferior to theirs.
If anyone has any feedback working with Andrew Shimmin or anyone from the Melbourne Orthopedic Group for my own reassurance, it would be much appreciated.

[kjwilkin]

Hi there,

It is important to someone that specialises in knees. Andrew Shimmin doesn't specialise in knees. I personally wouldn't go to Melbourne Orthopaedic Group as most of the surgeons are just generalists.

You will get into see Julian Feller a lot quicker if you see a sports physician at Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre. You should be able to get in within a couple of weeks after seeing a sports physician. Also I would mention that it is an ACL injury. They will try and get you in sooner. A friend at my last work thought she'd done her ACL and when I rang up his main rooms to find out about the waiting times they said to mention that it's an ACL problem that way they'd be able to get her in quicker. They don't like to wait too long to operate on ACL injuries. The number for Olympic Park is 9427 0366. Andrew Jowett is my sports physician and is great with knees. Main number for Julian's rooms is 9038 5200.

I hope this helps.

Good luck !!!

[jnrburgers]

Hi there,

... 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 !!

Relating to the above and other postings, can anybody tell me who is Julian Fellers "preferred sports physician" at Olympic Park to help me see Julian quicker. When I rang his secretary last friday, I was told that I couldn't see Julian until October, thats 5 MONTHS AWAY!!!!
All I am wanting is a second opinion regarding LARS surgery to my acl injury. Does anyone know if Julian practises LARS. It was recommended by one of HIS associate doctors (Cameron Norsworthy).

I'm in a hard place right now, do I risk LARS (synthetic) surgery and get back to work quicker (I work in the fitness industry) or do I put myself through the tried and tested surgery and double my rehab period. So confusing for me...

Thanks, jnrburgers

[jnrburgers]

Sorry, posted this without reading most recent message. Will try Andrew Jowett as Sports physician. What happens when you get the appointment, do I come out and say that I want to be referred to Julian? Or is it kinda automatic? Thanks again.

[kjwilkin]

Any of the sports physicians will be able to refer you to Julian Feller. Mine is Andrew Jowett and is really good with knees.

Just explain that you've already had an opinion and want a referral to Julian.

If you explain that you have an ACL injury you should be able to get into see Julian earlier than October. In most cases you will get into see Julian earlier at Olympic Park, usually within about a month.

Personally I wouldn't have the LARS technique. It has been banned in France and obviously for a good reason.

[HLj]

I too have been considering a LARS graft. Like the idea of quicker rehab with fewer problems with donating my hamstrings. I have been to see Chris Kondogiannis in East Melbourne as well as Cam Norsworthy. Chris has done a few posterior cruciates with the LARS, but not many anteriors. He did say that there are potential benefits, but not as tried and true as using hamstrings etc. He was pretty easy to talk to a seemed to know what he was on about. He might be worth getting a second opinion.

Personally, still not sure which way I'll go.

[kjwilkin]

If you want to see someone that is a guru with ACL recos, Julian Feller is the man. I believe he does over 200 a year.

So far this year he's already done one Collingwood footballer and one Essendon footballer. Also did a Hawthorn footballer earlier in the year.

[adx]

Hi Everyone.
Great thread.First post here, thought i would share my experiences with my surgeon and the last 3 months in general.

32 years old.Did my ACL on February 26 08 playing indoor soccer. An innocuous change of direction and pop, that was it.
Julian Feller was my surgeon and he was awesome. Professional, and re-assuring... As he also has offices and operates at Latrobe University Private Hospital, i was referred to him by the sports physios at Latrobe Sports Medicine Bundoora (closely linked with Essendon FC i believe). After they diagnosed me with a ruptured acl and requiring a reconstruction, it took me 6 weeks to get an appointment with Julian.

In hindsight, the time waiting to see Julian was a good thing. My physio stressed that i work hard at the gym in strengthening the surrounding muscles, quads, calf and hamstrings, especially quads.

When i had my appointment with julian (april 9 off the top of my head), he was so happy with the strength of the quad/calfs that he operated on me 6 days later!! Operation went perfect. He was there after the operation, and the next morning to greet you and check up on things. . He has specific exercises for you to follow in the literature you recieve from him.3 weeks later in the post op appointment, he checked to make sure the knee was strong and stable.
5 weeks post op now, and after a few ups and downs(downs mostly emotional/psychological) the muscles/movement are coming back well now, i nearly have my proper walking gait, am back at the gym, and doing more and more each day.

I can't recommend him enough for anyone thinking about an acl operation. You might wait a little to see him, but i believe its well worth it.
Hope this helps people..Apologies for the long post. I am just so passionate now about looking after my knee, and health in general..

[kjwilkin]

Hi there,

I couldn't agree more.

On Thursday I am having a trohleoplasty with Julian. He's been my saviour in enabling me to walk again. One doctor told me I'd never walk again with my patella instability.

Good luck with your rehab. Just follow Julian's protocol and you should be fine !