Orthopaedic Hip & Knee Surgeon · Sydney & Central Coast
Expert in Mako RoboticHip & Knee Replacement
Having completed more than 5,000+ hip and knee replacements in total, including more than 3,000+ Mako robotic-assisted procedures, Dr Limbers has one of Australia’s largest individual case series of patients in robotic orthopaedic surgery in Australia.
Dr John Limbers
MBBS (Hons 1) · BSc (Med) · FRACS · FAOrthA
Experience
25+ years
of orthopaedic surgery experience
Hip & knee replacements
5,000+
completed
Mako robotic procedures
3,000+
one of Australia’s largest individual case series
About Dr Limbers
Dr John Limbers is an orthopaedic hip and knee surgeon exclusively in private practice, with more than 25+ years of specialist orthopaedic experience.
Dr Limbers completed his medical degree with First Class Honours at the University of New South Wales before undertaking orthopaedic surgical training in Sydney.
He then completed international fellowship training in hip and knee replacement at Addenbrooke’s University Hospital in Cambridge, and Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital in Dublin.
He was the first surgeon in New South Wales to perform a Mako robotic total knee replacement outside the technology’s pre-release clinical assessments, and was among the first Australian surgeons to adopt Mako robotic-assisted anterior total hip replacement.
Dr Limbers is a former Australian Orthopaedic Association Director of Training and a contributor to the RASKAL trial — the Australian registry-nested randomised trial of robotic-assisted knee replacement — published in the Bone & Joint Journal.
Hip & Knee Arthritis
Surgery isn't recommended just because arthritis shows on an X-ray.
Osteoarthritis is the predominant condition treated in Dr Limbers’ practice. It progressively damages the cartilage and supporting structures of the hip or knee, causing pain, stiffness, reduced mobility and difficulty with everyday activities.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare recorded 53,500 knee replacements and 35,500 hip replacements performed for osteoarthritis in 2021–22, highlighting the substantial impact of advanced hip and knee arthritis in Australia.
Dr Limbers assesses the severity of arthritis, its effect on quality of life and the response to non-operative care before discussing whether joint replacement may be appropriate. Surgery is not recommended simply because arthritis is visible on an X-ray.
Among Australia's largest individual robotic case series
More than 3,000 Mako hip & knee procedures.
Mako Robotic Surgery
Is the robot performing the surgery?
Mako robotic-arm assisted surgery combines a patient-specific CT-based plan with technology that helps the surgeon execute that plan during the operation.
The system does not perform surgery independently. Dr Limbers remains in control throughout, using the robotic arm as a precision instrument to prepare bone within planned boundaries and assist with implant positioning.
Mako provides three-dimensional, patient-specific planning and helps Dr Limbers reproduce the surgical plan with a high level of accuracy. Compared with traditional manual instrumentation, published studies show more consistent implant positioning, while some studies also report less early pain or soft-tissue injury in selected procedures.
Mako technology may be used for total knee replacement, partial knee replacement, anterior total hip replacement and selected revision hip and knee procedures.
Areas of Expertise
What Dr Limbers treats.
- Mako assisted
Anterior Total Hip Replacement
Hip replacement through a muscle-sparing anterior approach.
- Mako assisted
Total Knee Replacement
Full knee replacement using robotic-arm assistance.
- Mako assisted
Partial Knee Replacement
Resurfacing only the damaged compartment of the knee.
- Mako assisted
Revision Total Hip Replacement
Replacing a previous hip replacement.
- Mako assisted
Revision Total Knee Replacement
Replacing a previous knee replacement.
Osteoarthritis & Non-Surgical Options
Assessment, and the treatments that come before surgery.
Assessment of painful or failed previous joint replacements
Mako robotic-arm assisted
A CT-based plan, executed with precision.
Explore the full list of procedures.
View all services
A Focused Hip and Knee Practice
Dr Limbers’ practice is deliberately confined to hip and knee arthritis and joint replacement.
This keeps his clinical work, technology, rehabilitation pathways and patient education centred on a defined group of conditions and procedures.
Treatment recommendations follow assessment of symptoms, imaging, general health, previous treatment and personal goals.
Consulting Locations
Across Sydney & the Central Coast
Operating at Sydney Adventist Hospital (the SAN), Wahroonga and Gosford Private Hospital, North Gosford.
Wahroonga
The San Clinic
Suite 403, Level 4, 185 Fox Valley Road
Wahroonga NSW 2076North Gosford
Gosford Private Consulting Suites
Suite 4, 12 Jarrett Street
North Gosford NSW 2250Kanwal
Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital
corner Pacific Highway and Craigie Avenue
Kanwal NSW 2259
Book an Appointment Today
If hip or knee pain is impacting your quality of life, Dr Limbers can assess whether joint replacement or another treatment option is appropriate for you.
Appointments are available at Wahroonga on the North Shore, and at North Gosford and Kanwal on the Central Coast. A current referral is generally requested and allows eligible Medicare patients to claim the relevant rebate.