Frequently Asked Questions

This is calculated on a case-by-case basis. We use Medical Aid billing tariffs, and are affiliated with almost all Medical Aid providers to use their billing schedule.

Hip replacement is typically considered when the pain is significantly affecting daily life and when other treatments have stopped working. Dr. Barrett will assess the severity of the damage, alongside a full picture of how the hip is impacting the patient's quality of life.

Modern hip implants are highly durable. Around 80 to 90% of replacements are still functioning well at 20 years. Avoiding high-impact activities and maintaining a healthy weight can help extend the life of the implant. If the patient is younger, Dr. Barrett will discuss the realistic possibility of eventually needing revision surgery as part of making a fully informed decision.

Hip replacement is a safe and well-established operation, but as with any surgery, there are some risks. These include infection, blood clots, dislocation of the new joint, and, very rarely, injury to surrounding nerves or blood vessels. Dr. Barrett discusses all relevant risks with each patient during the pre-op consultation.

Most patients are walking independently within 4 to 6 weeks, and back to light daily activities shortly after. Low-impact activities such as swimming, cycling, and walking are actively encouraged. High-impact activities such as running are generally not recommended.

Support is most important in the first 6 weeks. The patient will not be able to drive, and help may be needed with cooking, shopping, and getting around the house. Arranging this support in advance makes a significant difference to the early recovery.

Knee replacement is typically considered when the pain is seriously affecting daily life and when other treatments have stopped working. Dr. Barrett will assess the extent of the damage, alongside the broader impact on the patient's quality of life, before recommending surgery.

The vast majority of knee replacements are still working well 15 to 20 years post-surgery. Avoiding high-impact activities, keeping to a healthy weight, and staying active with gentle exercise can all help extend the life of the implant.

A knee replacement is a safe and well-established operation, but as with any major surgery, there are risks, including temporary swelling and stiffness, infection, blood clots, and, very rarely, injury to surrounding nerves or vessels. Dr. Barrett discusses all relevant risks with each patient before surgery.

Most patients notice a dramatic improvement in pain and mobility. The knee is unlikely to feel exactly the same as a natural healthy knee, and some patients are aware of the implant, particularly with certain movements. However, for the vast majority, the outcome is a knee that is comfortable, stable, and functional.

Yes. Physiotherapy is essential to getting the best outcome from knee replacement surgery. It begins shortly after the operation, starting with gentle movement and progressing to strengthening work as the knee heals. Following the programme consistently is one of the most important things a patient can do to ensure a full, lasting recovery.

Shoulder replacement is typically considered when significant joint damage has been confirmed on examination, and when pain and loss of movement are substantially affecting everyday life despite trying other treatments. Dr. Barrett will assess all of this in detail before recommending surgery.

An anatomical shoulder replacement is used when the rotator cuff is intact and works in the conventional way (the socket is placed on the shoulder blade and the ball on the arm bone). A reverse replacement switches this arrangement and is designed for patients with a severely damaged rotator cuff, allowing the deltoid muscle to take over the function the rotator cuff can no longer perform.

Most shoulder replacements remain functional for 15 to 20 years. Avoiding heavy lifting and high-impact overhead activity helps to protect the implant over time.

A shoulder replacement is a safe procedure, but like any major surgery it carries risks, including infection, stiffness, loosening of the implant over time, and, in rare cases, nerve injury. Dr. Barrett discusses all of this with each patient during the pre-operative consultation.

Yes. Physiotherapy is an essential part of recovery and begins shortly after surgery. It starts gently and builds progressively. Committing consistently to the programme is one of the most important factors in achieving a full and lasting recovery.

Surgery is typically considered when a condition has been confirmed through examination and imaging, and when non-surgical approaches such as physiotherapy, medication, or injections have not provided adequate improvement. Dr. Barrett will assess the nature of the problem alongside its impact on daily life and activity before recommending whether surgery is the right next step.

Most arthroscopic procedures are performed as a day case, meaning the patient is admitted and discharged on the same day. More complex procedures, such as ACL reconstruction, may require an overnight stay. Dr. Barrett's team will confirm the expected admission period in advance.

Arthroscopic surgery is a safe and well-established approach, and the risk of serious complications is low. Temporary swelling, stiffness, and bruising are common and resolve on their own. In very rare cases, blood clots or injury to nearby nerves can occur. Dr. Barrett discusses all relevant risks with each patient before surgery.

Yes. Physiotherapy is an essential part of recovery from arthroscopic surgery and begins shortly after the procedure. The programme is carefully staged to restore movement, rebuild strength, and support the repaired tissue in healing fully and durably. Committing consistently to the programme is one of the most important factors in a successful outcome.

Not all muscle and tendon injuries require surgery. Many partial tears and strains can be managed effectively with physiotherapy and/or anti-inflammatory treatment. Surgery is typically recommended when a tendon or muscle has been completely ruptured, when a partial tear is severe enough that it is unlikely to heal adequately on its own, or when conservative treatment has been tried over an appropriate period without sufficient improvement.

The procedure involves surgically reattaching or reconstructing the damaged muscle or tendon so that it can function correctly once again. Depending on the location and nature of the injury, Dr. Barrett may reattach the torn ends of the tendon directly, reinforce the repair with a graft, or reattach the tendon to the bone using small anchors. Wherever possible, minimally invasive techniques are used to reduce disruption to the surrounding tissue, limit scarring, and support a faster recovery.

Recovery from muscle or tendon repair surgery is gradual and varies depending on the extent of the damage. In general, the repaired tissue needs to be protected in the early weeks to allow it to heal securely. Most patients are able to return to light daily activities within 4 to 8 weeks, while a full return to sport or physically demanding work typically takes between 3 and 6 months. In each individual case, Dr. Barrett will provide a clear and personalised recovery timeline.

In most cases, yes. The repaired muscle or tendon needs to be immobilised and protected in the early stages of healing. Depending on the location of the injury, this may involve a splint, brace, boot, or sling worn for a period of several weeks. Dr. Barrett will advise on exactly how long immobilisation is required and when it is safe to begin gentle movement.

Physiotherapy is an essential component of recovery from muscle or tendon surgery and begins. The programme typically starts with gentle range-of-movement and strengthening exercises before progressing to progressive strengthening and, ultimately, functional and sport-specific training. The programme is carefully staged to load the healing tissue in a controlled way, building its strength and resilience without placing it at risk. Committing to physiotherapy is one of the most important factors in achieving a full, lasting recovery.

Surgery is typically considered when a ligament tear has been confirmed on MRI and the resulting instability is causing ongoing problems such as giving way during daily activities, preventing a return to sport, or putting the joint at risk of further damage. Dr. Barrett will assess all of this before recommending the most appropriate course of action.

A well-placed, fully rehabilitated graft can restore stability that is close to the original ligament's function. The graft goes through a process of biological transformation over several months. Initially it is actually weaker than the final result, which is one of the reasons the rehabilitation timeline is so important to follow carefully.

The risk of re-rupture is estimated at around 5 to 15%, and is highest in younger patients who return to high-demand sport at full intensity. Following the full rehabilitation programme and Dr. Barrett's guidance on return-to-sport timing can significantly reduce this risk.

This depends on what the job involves. Desk-based work is often possible within 2 to 4 weeks. A job involving standing, walking, or physical activity will require a longer period of recovery before returning safely. Dr. Barrett will provide specific guidance based on the procedure and the demands of the patient's work.

It is the most important part of recovery. Without a structured rehabilitation programme, even a technically perfect ligament reconstruction will not achieve its full potential. The programme rebuilds the strength, coordination, and confidence in the joint that the injury took away, and it does so safely and progressively. Patients who commit fully to their rehabilitation consistently achieve the best outcomes.

No. Many fractures heal well in a cast or brace without any surgical intervention. Surgery is recommended when the fracture is displaced (the fragments are out of position), unstable, involves a joint surface, or is in a location where non-surgical treatment would result in poor alignment or prolonged immobility. Dr. Barrett will explain clearly whether surgery is necessary and why.

In most cases, no. Modern hardware is designed to remain in the body indefinitely without causing problems. Removal is occasionally considered if the hardware becomes prominent and causes discomfort, or in certain anatomical locations where it may interfere with movement. Dr. Barrett will discuss this if it is relevant to the individual case.

This depends on which limb was operated on. In general, driving is not permitted until the patient can perform an emergency stop safely and without pain, and this is typically 6 to 12 weeks after surgery, depending on the fracture. Dr. Barrett will advise specifically on when it is safe to return to driving.

The risks include infection, delayed bone healing or non-union, hardware failure, nerve or vessel injury, and blood clots. However, the risk of serious complications is low in well-managed cases, and Dr. Barrett will discuss all relevant risks with the patient before proceeding.

Yes. Even when the bone has been fixed securely, the surrounding muscles, tendons, and joints need to be rehabilitated carefully. Stiffness and muscle loss happen quickly after immobilisation, and physiotherapy is the most effective way to restore full, functional movement. Starting early and following through consistently makes a significant difference to the final outcome.