Hip & Knee, Foot & Ankle Surgeon

Website: www.drjohnlimbers.com.au

Direct line for appointments:
0498 260 549 (San Clinic)      02 4393 3820 (Central Coast)

Dr Limbers is a specialist orthopaedic surgeon who practises at the Sydney Adventist Hospital in Sydney, and at Gosford Private Hospital on the Central Coast. He has particular expertise in Mako robotic anterior hip replacement surgery and Mako robotic knee replacement surgery. He has performed over 1800 robotic hip and knee replacements.

He graduated in Medicine from the University of NSW with First Class Honours. He completed Advanced Orthopaedic Training on the Sydney Northside Orthopaedic Training Scheme, and was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in 2004. He followed this with further international subspecialty training at Addenbrooke’s University Hospital, Cambridge and Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dublin.

Dr Limbers has a particular interest in hip and knee replacement surgery. He has completed over 4000 hip and knee replacement procedures. He performs Mako robotic hip replacement surgery, with functional planning, through the anterior intermuscular approach. This allows patients to have accelerated rehabilitation and recovery, with less post-operative pain and no functional restrictions in the post-operative period.

He performs Mako robotic total and partial knee replacement surgery utilising kinematic alignment and virtual gap balancing. These techniques allow a knee replacement more closely resembling each patient’s natural alignment, with less soft tissue release and trauma. In addition, he places his total knee replacement incision towards the side of the knee instead of over the front. This is called a lateral parapatellar incision and allows a higher likelihood of comfortable kneeling after a total knee replacement.

Dr Limbers uses multi-modal pain relief and local anaesthetic infiltration techniques after hip and knee replacement surgery to allow earlier mobilisation and discharge.

He also performs reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. This includes ankle arthrodesis, ankle and hindfoot reconstructive surgery and forefoot surgery. As an orthopaedic trauma surgeon he is responsible for the management of complex major trauma and secondary reconstructions.

Dr Limbers has considerable experience in research and training. He is a past Australian Orthopaedic Association Director of Training, and has been actively involved in the selection and training of orthopaedic trainees for the Australian Orthopaedic Association and Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He has presented at both national and international meetings. He has numerous clinical research publications and review articles in peer reviewed international journals. He is cited in Apley’s System of Orthopaedics and Fractures. He trains orthopaedic surgeons around Australia in the use and techniques of robotic hip and knee replacement surgery.

He is married with five children. His other pursuits include reading, surfing, rugby and violin (attaining AMEB Grade 6 in 1985). He also has an interest in aid projects to developing countries. He has organised and participated in voluntary work projects to Papua New Guinea, Tonga, The Philippines and Western Samoa.

Current Appointments

• VMO at Sydney Adventist Hospital
  
• VMO at Gosford Hospital
  
• VMO at Gosford Private Hospital

Education and Training

• 1987 - graduated Sydney Grammar School
  
• 1988 -1994 - MB BS BSc(Med) Hons 1, University of New South Wales
  
• 1994 - 1996 - Resident Medical Officer, Royal North Shore Hospital Sydney
  
• 1997 - 2003 - Australian Orthopaedic Association Orthopaedic Training Programme (Sydney)
  
• 2004 - Foot and Ankle Fellowship at Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital Dublin, Ireland
  
• 2004 - Hip and Knee Fellowship at Addenbrooke’s University Hospital Cambridge, England