ST STEPHEN’S Hospital in Hervey Bay reached a significant milestone in July with the first total ankle replacement surgeries performed in the Wide Bay region.
The hospital’s expansion into this orthopaedic procedure offers a crucial treatment option for residents suffering from severe ankle pain, eliminating the need to travel for care.
St Stephen’s Hospital orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Navi Bali, said like hips and knees, total ankle replacement procedures are becoming more common thanks to advances in technology and surgical techniques.
“Ankle technology and reliability of the prosthesis has improved significantly in the past ten years, as have orthopaedic surgical techniques, so we’re now seeing ankle replacement procedures becoming more common,” Dr Bali said.
“This includes using unique 3D models created in the United States for each patient as well as x-ray during the procedure to guide placement of the new ankle joint which is critical for patient outcomes and for the longevity of the implant.”
For patients, the surgery means having access to an additional treatment option for ankle pain and stiffness, often caused by a past break or arthritis, when other techniques have been unsuccessful.
“Patients will often come to see me with ankle pain which is impacting their quality of life and reducing their ability to walk long distances. They might also be experiencing significant pain at rest,” Dr Bali explained.
“As with everything in medicine, treatment is tailored to the individual patient and it’s not a ‘one size fits all’ approach. It’s great to be able to have this procedure in our tool kit to offer to patients when it can really benefit them,” he said.
St Stephen’s Hospital General Manager, Peter Wood, said it was pleasing to see patients already benefiting from the new procedure.
“This is another great milestone for St Stephen’s and more importantly for our community and those we care for,” Peter said.
“Our focus is firmly on making great care available close to home for our community, and the introduction of total ankle replacement procedures is an example of how we are continually expanding our services to meet the evolving needs of patients.”
Patients are encouraged to speak to their GP about a referral to St Stephen’s Hospital.
