A free exhibition showcasing an 80-year history of orthopaedics in Australia is currently on display at the Buderim Private Hospital until 30 April.
Visiting the Sunshine Coast for the first time, the Australian Orthopaedic Association’s ‘Travelling Exhibition of Orthopaedics’ celebrates the contribution of orthopaedic surgery to the health and wellbeing of the Australian community.
Wallis Westbrook, General Manager of Buderim Private Hospital, said he was proud to host the exhibition on the Sunshine Coast.
“Our hospital has a comprehensive orthopaedics service which cares for people through their entire patient journey from surgery and recovery to rehabilitation – we conduct around 1800 orthopaedic procedures each year which are performed by 14 different orthopaedic surgeons who have combined experience of more than 250 years,” he said.
“We have the expertise to perform day surgery as well as some of the most complicated joint replacements right here on the Sunshine Coast so many people from our local community have already benefited from many of the innovations showcased in the exhibition,” he said.
The exhibition includes information on sports injury prevention, the evolution of joint replacement and developments in the treatment of fractures and innovations, including the use of 3D printing, robotics, computer navigation and customising implants during surgery. Display items include prosthetic models, surgical tools, x-rays and fixation devices.
All patients, visitors and members of the community are invited to attend the free exhibition which is on display on levels 1 and 3 of the hospital.
President of the Australian Orthopaedic Association, Dr Lawrie Malisano, said “We are pleased to officially launch our travelling orthopaedic exhibition to the Sunshine Coast public and can think of no better place than Buderim Private.”
“Orthopaedic surgery has been a constantly evolving area of medicine. In my 30 years of surgery there have been major advances in imaging, prostheses, and surgical techniques and equipment. All this has meant we can provide reliable life-changing procedures,” Dr Malisano said.
“The specialty of orthopaedics keeps our children in the game, puts the bounce back in the knees and hips of our elderly and keeps all of Australia moving with more than 1.1 million hip and knee joint replacement procedures undertaken throughout Australia’s hospital network since 1999,” he said.
About the Buderim Private Hospital
Buderim Private Hospital has been serving the community since 1980 and is part of UnitingCare Health - one of the largest not-for-profit private hospital groups in Queensland which operates more than 1000 licensed beds across four hospitals.
About the Australian Orthopaedic Association
The Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) is the peak professional body for orthopaedic surgeons in Australia. AOA provides high quality specialist education, training and continuing professional development. AOA is committed to ensuring the highest possible standard of orthopaedic care and is the leading authority in the provision of orthopaedic information to the community. AOA actively supports scientific research and orthopaedic humanitarian initiatives in Australia and overseas.
Pictured: Wallis Westbrook, General Manager of the Buderim Private Hospital, and Clarissa McGown, Clinical Nurse Manager of the surgical ward, pictured in front of part of the exhibition