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Orthogeriatrics | Counties Manukau

Public Service, Older People's Health, Orthopaedics

Description

The Orthogeriatric Service is a specialist service that provides:

  • geriatrician assistance in the care of older adults under orthopaedic teams with a view to assisting in optimising peri-operative care
  • assessment of appropriate patients for transfer to rehabilitation wards
  • lead multidisciplinary team of allied staff and orthopaedic house surgeons participating in discharge planning of older adults and provide liaison with rehabilitation services.
  • A ‘falls and osteoporosis’ clinic allows a process for assessing and treating patients with recurrent falls, osteoporosis and fractures.
  • Bone Density Service - find information about this service here
  • Fracture Liaison Service

The Fracture Liaison Service works with people over the age of 50 who have suffered a fragility fracture (low impact bone break) e.g. a broken bone following a fall from standing height. The aim of the service is to prevent any further fractures. The most common fragility fractures are fractures of the hip, wrist, shoulder or spine and are commonly caused by Osteoporosis (brittle or fragile bones). The service is run by a coordinator whose role is to identify patients presenting with fragility fracture and arrange investigation, falls clinic referral and follow-up required. The coordinator will follow these people by phone for up to 6 months to ensure any required treatment has been started and is continuing as appropriate.

 

The orthogeriatric team currently consists of two SMOs, one registrar and one orthogeriatric coordinator. 

Fees and Charges Description

There are no charges for services to public patients if you are lawfully in New Zealand and meet one of the Eligibility Directions specified criteria set by the Ministry of Health.  If you do not meet the criteria, you will be required to pay for the full costs of any medical treatment you receive during your stay.

To check whether you meet the specified eligibility criteria, visit the Ministry of Health website.

For any applicable charges, please phone the Accounts Receivable Office on (09) 276 0060.

Common Conditions / Procedures / Treatments

Falls

These are not a natural part of aging. There are many reasons why people fall over and a review of your medical problems and medications may well reveal some reasons for falling that can be fixed. If you have lots of falls, seeing a specialist as well as the physiotherapist and occupational therapist can reduce your chances of falling again. You will be asked about the circumstances surrounding your falls and it is helpful if family or friends who witnessed your falls come into the clinic with you. You will have an examination looking at your general health as well as strength, balance, vision and memory. An occupational therapist may come to your home to look into any changes that can be made to improve safety. For more information on falls prevention and helpful information see livestronger.org.nz

These are not a natural part of aging.  There are many reasons why people fall over and a review of your medical problems and medications may well reveal some reasons for falling that can be fixed.  If you have lots of falls, seeing a specialist as well as the physiotherapist and occupational therapist can reduce your chances of falling again.  You will be asked about the circumstances surrounding your falls and it is helpful if family or friends who witnessed your falls come into the clinic with you.  You will have an examination looking at your general health as well as strength, balance, vision and memory.  An occupational therapist may come to your home to look into any changes that can be made to improve safety.  For more information on falls prevention and helpful information see livestronger.org.nz
Joint Replacement

For elderly patients joint replacement surgery is commonly required to treat joints damaged from wearing out, arthritis or other forms of joint disease including rheumatoid arthritis. In these procedures the damaged joint surface is removed and replaced with artificial surfaces normally made from metal (chromium cobalt alloy, titanium) and plastic surfaces (high density polyethylene and ceramic) which act as alternate bearing surfaces for the damaged joint. These operations are major procedures which require the patient to be in hospital for several days and followed by a significant period of rehabilitation. The hospital has several ways of approaching the procedure for replacement and the specifics for the procedure will be covered at the time of assessment and booking of surgery. Occasionally blood transfusions are required; if you have some concerns raise this with your surgeon during consultation.

For elderly patients joint replacement surgery is commonly required to treat joints damaged from wearing out, arthritis or other forms of joint disease including rheumatoid arthritis. In these procedures the damaged joint surface is removed and replaced with artificial surfaces normally made from metal (chromium cobalt alloy, titanium) and plastic surfaces (high density polyethylene and ceramic) which act as alternate bearing surfaces for the damaged joint.
These operations are major procedures which require the patient to be in hospital for several days and followed by a significant period of rehabilitation. The hospital has several ways of approaching the procedure for replacement and the specifics for the procedure will be covered at the time of assessment and booking of surgery.
Occasionally blood transfusions are required; if you have some concerns raise this with your surgeon during consultation.
 

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens your bones. Osteoporosis is not painful but it makes your bones more prone to breaking (fracture). Women are more likely than men to suffer from osteoporosis and as you get older you are more likely to have it. Tests Osteoporosis can be diagnosed by measuring bone mineral density (BMD). This test involves taking x-rays or a computer tomography (CT) scan of the bones in your spine, wrist, arm or leg. You may be asked to have a blood test to look for reasons why you might have osteoporosis. Treatment There is no cure for osteoporosis, but there are treatments that can improve bone strength and reduce your chances of breaking a bone. If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis you may be prescribed several medications to improve your bone strength. You will have follow-up either with your GP or specialist to make sure that the medication suits you. You will be given some more detailed reading about things you can do to help manage your osteoporosis and about the type of medication you are on. Osteoporosis Questionnaire (PDF, 52.4 KB) Osteoporosis Guidance (PDF, 1.1 MB)

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens your bones. Osteoporosis is not painful but it makes your bones more prone to breaking (fracture).  Women are more likely than men to suffer from osteoporosis and as you get older you are more likely to have it.
 
Tests
Osteoporosis can be diagnosed by measuring bone mineral density (BMD).  This test involves taking x-rays or a computer tomography (CT) scan of the bones in your spine, wrist, arm or leg.  You may be asked to have a blood test to look for reasons why you might have osteoporosis.
 
Treatment
There is no cure for osteoporosis, but there are treatments that can improve bone strength and reduce your chances of breaking a bone.
 
If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis you may be prescribed several medications to improve your bone strength.  You will have follow-up either with your GP or specialist to make sure that the medication suits you.  You will be given some more detailed reading about things you can do to help manage your osteoporosis and about the type of medication you are on.

Document Downloads

Travel Directions

Important

This notice is to inform you that the walking distance from the Station Entrance to Reception A is one kilometre.

 It is recommended that you enter Colvin Complex Building 31 at Carpark 6 which is directly outside Reception A, Colvin Complex.

 To get to Carpark 6, enter the carpark by turning into Main Gate 1 at the roundabout on Hospital Road. Follow the main driveway until you arrive at Carpark 6 on the right.  Please see the map enclosed for more detail.

 You have been provided with a car parking permit, please place this on your dashboard where this can be clearly seen. You will still be required to pay for parking when you exit the hospital. If you are being dropped off there is free parking for 15mins only or 30mins after 2pm.

Contact Details

Middlemore Hospital

South Auckland

Middlemore Hospital
Hospital Road
Otahuhu
Auckland

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Street Address

Middlemore Hospital
Hospital Road
Ōtāhuhu
Auckland

Postal Address

Orthogeriatrics, AT & R Unit
Private Bag 93311
Ōtāhuhu
Auckland 1640

This page was last updated at 9:32AM on October 31, 2022. This information is reviewed and edited by Orthogeriatrics | Counties Manukau.