Whilst severe pelvic fractures are treated by orthopaedic surgeons in trauma centres, spontaneous sacral insufficiency fractures might be treated by endocrinologists, or rehabilitation physicians. But here are my comments!
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After surgery, sitting causes blood to sit in your leg veins, with a risk of clotting, it’s better to have your legs up!
Continue readingRobotic knee replacement surgery has been widely available for some years – and in Ballarat at St John of God, we have three robots to use with three different companies total knee replacement, and some partial knee replacements. Our surgeons using it find it a useful tool streamlining the operation.
Continue readingRobotic knee replacement surgery has been widely available for some years – and in Ballarat at St John of God, we have three robots to use with three different companies total knee replacement, and some partial knee replacements. Our surgeons using it find it a useful tool streamlining the operation.
Continue readingThe Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) has officially recorded its one millionth hip replacement procedure.
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Join an Ossur webinar featuring BallaratOSM orthopaedic surgeon Mr Naveen Nara
A practical, case-based session with Naveen Nara, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with a special interest in lower limb care.
He will take a closer look at:
✔️ How to assess flexible vs rigid foot deformities
✔️ When orthotics might work and when surgery may be needed
✔️ Why collaboration across disciplines can improve outcomes
Perfect for anyone involved in managing foot and ankle conditions, whether you’re in orthopaedics, podiatry, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, or general practice.
Webinar Details:
Date: Thursday 28 August 2025
Time: 6.00PM – 7.00PM AEST
Ballarat Sports Medicine welcomes back Senior Sport and Exercise Medicine registrar, Dr Jai Sharma.
A Ballarat boy himself, Jai moved to the UK to acquire his medical degree (University of Liverpool 2015) and gain valuable experience working in the NHS before returning home to Victoria. Jai has also completed a Master’s degree in Sports Medicine (University of Queensland 2021).
Jai has extensive experience in many hospital settings in particular orthopaedic surgery. Regarding sports, he has worked as team doctor for North Melbourne and Geelong VFL teams, touring doctor with Cricket Australia, match coverage for the BBL, as well as Basketball, Road Cycling and the Ballarat Marathon.
Growing up and going to school in Ballarat gives Jai a unique perspective of the local area and he is keen to engage with the local community and other health care professionals involved in your care to provide the best possible management for you.
Jai’s is available for all aspects of Sports Medicine and injury management. His specific areas of interest include :
Jai will be available for appointments from 30th July 2025, on an ongoing basis
From 1 July 2025, Sport and Exercise Physicians in Australia will be recognised by Medicare
as consultant physicians. This means patients will receive a much higher rebate from
Medicare for consultations with Dr Greg Harris, and less out of pocket costs.
The fee for new consultations with Dr Harris will be between $260-$375, and the rebate from
Medicare will be between $150-$270.
Patients will require a valid medical referral from their GP (or another medical specialist) to
see Dr Harris.
GPs (and other medical specialists) can refer patients for complex musculoskeletal and
exercise-related conditions. Referrals will be reviewed to ensure that appointments are
booked for the appropriate length and at the soonest available time. Patients can also still be
referred for ultrasound-guided injections into most joints (not spinal or hips), usually within
1-2 weeks. This includes viscosupplements (Cingal or Durolane) and PRP.
Patients can still see our other Sport and Exercise Medicine doctors with or without a medical
referral, or with a referral from a physio/osteopath/chiropractor. Appointments with Dr Marta
Safavi and Dr Jai Sharma (from late July) can be booked online through our website, in
person or over the phone. Fees for new appointments with either Dr Safavi or Dr Sharma will
be $110, with a Medicare rebate of $38.
Ballarat Sports Medicine is overjoyed to advise that Dr Jai Sharma will be returning to consult
at Novar House, 109 Webster Street, Lake Wendouree.
Dr Sharma will be available one day per week, from mid-July onwards. Patients can see him
with or without a medical referral, or with a referral from a physio, osteopath or
chiropractor.
The meniscus in the knee works by “Hoop Stresses” – by being attached at the front and back of knee, and with its triangular cross section, it spreads the load through that compartment of the knee, protecting the knee from arthritis. A particular problem for the medial meniscus is a popping sensation, where the posterior horn becomes detached. It usually isn’t major trauma, but squatting, or walking up stairs can do it in middle age and above. The “pop” has a very high specificity (99% in a Korean study) but not sensitivity (35%). The natural history is poor – most patients go on to develop osteoarthritis. If there is bone marrow oedema, or a subchondral fracture, the arthritis may be rapid in evolution.
Fortunately, meniscal roots can be repaired if the tear is within 10mm of the root with a surprisingly high success rate.
But, typically we require six weeks of non weight bearing after the surgery, use of knee braces to restrict motion, minimal arthritis, and our patient needs to be on board with the plan. Being heavy isn’t too much of a problem, but if significantly bow legged, a realignment osteotomy is also required. When this surgery was initially advocated, an age limit of 65 was proposed, but in the Australian Knee Society group, plenty of orthopaedic surgeons are operating on folk older than that – if they can tolerate the recovery requirements.
Mr David Mitchell
Orthopaedic Surgeon
MBBS (Melb), FRACS (Orth), FAOrthA, GAICD
Since 2000, every joint replacement done in Australia goes into a central registry, and if further surgery undertaken, it is recorded against the implant. The surgeon is also able to access his own results to compare with other surgeons of Australia. This has had substantial impact not only in Australia, but internationally.
Twenty year results indicate re-operation on 7% of joint replacements where the patients are still alive (the average age for joint replacement is 68). Implants that are no longer available are not included in this. It doesn’t matter if hip, knee or shoulder. Various improvements over the years probably improve these results – highly cross linked polyethylene was not available 20 years ago – and basically doesn’t show wear at 15 years. Vitamin E has been in my hip replacements also reducing oxidation and delamination since 2009.
The old days of annual reviews don’t make sense. There will be special patients that do – but given the average age for joint replacement is 68 in Australia, the likelihood of requiring further surgery is small. Given standard referrals run out at 12 months – following up for six months is probably easiest for all parties, but if there is a reason to follow up long term – so be it !
Mr. David Mitchell
Orthopedic Surgeon