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 and other injuries.
Orthopaedic surgery may be elective or emergency. Elective orthopaedic surgery is planned 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.
Blackrock Health Orthopaedic Department
Blackrock Health is home to some of the most established private orthopaedic faculties in Ireland. We 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 in our comfortable day wards.
Your GP can refer you to any of our orthopaedic services .
Elective Orthopaedic Surgery
Elective 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. Elective orthopaedic surgery can improve quality of life - by allowing more mobility and less pain.
Accessing our services
You can access Blackrock Health orthopaedic services easily with a referral from your GP and can then expect world-class clinical care and comfort. Over 75% of our hospital rooms are single occupancy, which can help you make a quicker recovery in a safe environment. We aim to provide you with the best possible outcome, and to restore your quality of life.
Why I might be referred
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.
Range of Services
Blackrock Health hospitals offer a full range of orthopaedic services, including consultation, diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare. Our orthopaedic consultants are internationally recognised and conduct thousands of procedures every year. Our orthopaedic departments are run by expert multi-disciplinary teams - including clinical nurse specialists and physiotherapists, and we use the latest technologies, such as robotic surgery, spinal navigation techniques, and real-time imaging.
Our Team
Our teams include:
Orthopaedic surgeons
Clinical nurse specialists
Pharmacists
Discharge Co-ordinators
Who we treat
Our orthopaedic teams treat 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 surgical teams include world-class experts in procedures of the spine, upper, and lower limbs. They help to relieve pain, treat disease, and repair bones and joints. Our facilities enable them to carry out minimally invasive procedures, such as joint replacement surgery, with an enhanced recovery program.
Depending on your condition, you may be offered a variety of treatments. This could include arthroscopy, partial or total joint replacement, or repair of tendons or ligaments around a joint. It may also involve the fusion of bones, or the reconstruction of tendons and ligaments.
Procedures available at Blackrock Health hospitals include:
Rotator cuff repair
Arthroscopic surgery (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)
Knee replacement surgery comes in various forms, including:
Total knee replacement.
Partial knee replacement.
Methods used may be traditional surgery, minimally invasive, and robot-assisted techniques.
Each type of surgery targets specific areas of knee damage, providing tailored solutions for different patients' needs.
Individuals suffering from conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis are prime candidates for knee replacement surgery. If you are experiencing persistent knee pain, stiffness, or swelling that interferes with your daily activities, it may be time to explore surgical options.
During knee replacement surgery, damaged portions of the knee joint are replaced with artificial implants. The procedure typically involves anaesthesia, precise incisions, and careful placement of the implants to restore function and alleviate pain. Our experienced orthopaedic surgeons utilise advanced techniques to ensure optimal outcomes for every patient.
After surgery
Following hip replacement surgery, a comprehensive rehabilitation program is essential for promoting healing, restoring mobility, and preventing complications. Physiotherapy, pain management strategies, and gradual return to activity are integral components of the recovery process in the weeks after surgery.
Patient Benefits
Knee replacement surgery offers numerous benefits, including improved joint function, reduced pain, and enhanced quality of life. Our comprehensive post-operative care plans include regular check-ups, imaging studies, and lifestyle recommendations to promote optimal joint health and function.
Hip replacement surgery encompasses various procedures, such as:
Total hip replacement.
Partial hip replacement.
Hip resurfacing.
Methods used may be traditional surgery, minimally invasive, and robot-assisted techniques.
Each type of surgery addresses different degrees of hip joint damage, providing tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of individual patients.
Individuals suffering from conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, or hip fractures are ideal candidates for hip replacement surgery. If you are experiencing persistent hip pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility that significantly impacts your daily activities, it may be time to consider surgical intervention.
Hip replacement surgery involves removing the damaged parts of the hip joint and replacing them with artificial implants made of metal, plastic, or ceramic materials. The procedure is typically performed under anaesthesia and requires precise incisions and implant placement to restore function and alleviate pain effectively. Our skilled orthopaedic surgeons utilise state-of-the-art techniques to optimize surgical outcomes for each patient.
After surgery
Following hip replacement surgery, a comprehensive rehabilitation program is essential for promoting healing, restoring mobility, and preventing complications. Physiotherapy, pain management strategies, and gradual return to activity are integral components of the recovery process in the weeks after surgery.
Patient Benefits
Hip replacement surgery offers numerous benefits, including improved hip joint function, reduced pain, and enhanced range of motion. Our comprehensive post-operative care plans include regular check-ups, imaging studies, and lifestyle recommendations to promote optimal hip joint health and function.
What to expect
Once you have agreed on a treatment plan with your consultant, you will have a preoperative health assessment. This checks that you are in the best possible health for your procedure. You will also be able to ask any questions you have.
On the morning of your procedure, you will 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.
Our orthopaedic surgical teams conduct thousands of procedures every year. At Blackrock Health, our surgical theatres are equipped with the best technology available. This includes surgical robot systems, navigation and imaging systems, and sterile environment systems.
We have dedicated daycare wards for patients whose surgery can be treated on a day-case basis.
Orthopaedic surgery patient outcomes
Blackrock Clinic is 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. This register aims to improve patient outcomes. Both the Hermitage Clinic and Galway Clinic are expected to enrol with INOR soon.
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
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, 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 Options' page. If you have any queries about paying for your care, please contact the finance team in your hospital.
