FAQ’s

The current consultation protocols have been adjusted to make it as safe as possible for patients, staff and the doctor. Instructions of what to do will be sent after confirmation of consultation. This will make it as safe as possible but as the disease is often asymptomatic and the direct contamination cannot always be linked there is no absolute guarantee.

Patients do not need X-rays before consultation. Doctor will decide if you need and this will be arranged.

Patients that have had X-rays done should bring the disc with to their consultation. Most of the X-rays taken can be accessed via the internet so no need to worry if you do not have a disk.

MRI scans may not be required to make a diagnosis. The cost may not be covered by your funder and it is better to be examined before you have a scan done.

There is no standard consultation fee cost and all funders have different rates of remuneration. We charge private rates and discount for settlement on the day. Your funder may not cover the full cost.

Funders cover surgery at different rates. For hip and knee replacements we offer global fee options negotiated with most of the funders. This includes surgical fees, anaesthetic, in hospital physiotherapy and the implant cost. There are specific criteria attached to this and Dr Engela will discuss this with each patient at the time of consultation. For other procedures, estimates of fees will be given prior to surgery and the financial aspects resolved before surgery.

For hip and knee replacements we offer global fee options negotiated with most of the funders. This includes surgical fees, anaesthetic, in hospital physiotherapy and the implant cost. There are specific criteria attached to this and Dr Engela will discuss this with each patient at the time of consultation.

3D printing can assist in various ways in both hip and knee replacement primary and revision surgery. Complicated anatomy can be scanned in a CT scanner and the scanned files converted to printable files. This will enable the surgeon to get a to-scale printed model of the joint. Planning can now be done before surgery to decide on the size of the implant and placement of screws and augments to secure the implant. This will shorten the surgical time and prevent situations where the correct implants and screws are not available in theatre.

Most of the implant companies can now offer custom printed implants to compensate for lost bone in revision operations. These implants are usually printed in titanium alloy, which is compatible with bone and can be fixed directly to bone for immediate stability, allowing the patient to walk soon after surgery.

Total hip replacement is a safe procedure. Complications are rare and reported to be approximately one percent. The risk of complications can be minimized by meticulous peri-operative assessment and identification of potential complications. Despite the best intensions and protocols, some complications can occur. I have developed protocols to be followed to limit complications.

Possible complications include but are not limited to:

Dislocation of the hip joint is where the ball slips out of the socket. This is a much less frequent complication due to improved design and larger heads used. Dislocation is mostly a problem of abnormal positioning of the leg in the first six weeks after surgery. Patients are informed by the physiotherapists on what to do to prevent dislocation. In most cases the hip can be relocated under sedation.

Total knee replacement is a safe procedure. Complications are rare and reported to be approximately one percent. The risk of complications can be minimized by meticulous peri-operative assessment and identification of potential complications. Despite the best intensions and protocols some complications can occur. I have developed protocols to be followed to limit complications.

Possible complications include but are not limited to:

Infection is a rare but serious and debilitating complication if occuring after Total Hip or Total Knee replacement. Infection is reported in approximately 1 percent of replacements. This can occur early after surgery (within 6 weeks) or late after surgery, any time after six weeks.

Measures to prevent infection are taken very seriously and include: