Hip Surgeon Central Coast
Expert in Mako RoboticAnterior Hip Replacement
Dr John Limbers is a hip surgeon consulting on the Central Coast at North Gosford and Kanwal. His hip practice is focused on the assessment of hip arthritis, Mako robotic-assisted anterior total hip replacement and revision hip replacement surgery.
Dr John Limbers
MBBS (Hons 1) · BSc (Med) · FRACS · FAOrthA
Experience
25+ years
of orthopaedic surgical experience
Hip & knee replacements
5,000+
completed
Mako robotic procedures
3,000+
Mako robotic-assisted hip and knee replacements
Hip arthritis on the Central Coast
Hip osteoarthritis is the condition he sees most often.
It can cause deep groin pain, stiffness, a limp, reduced walking tolerance, night pain and difficulty with simple tasks such as putting on shoes and socks or getting in and out of a car. Hip pain can also be referred down the thigh to the knee, which is why some patients initially believe the problem is coming from the knee or lower back.
A consultation is not simply an assessment for surgery. Dr Limbers reviews the pattern of symptoms, examination findings, X-rays, previous treatment and the effect the hip is having on everyday life. Joint replacement is considered when symptoms remain substantial despite appropriate non-surgical care, not simply because arthritis is visible on an X-ray.
About Dr Limbers
Dr Limbers has more than 25+ years of orthopaedic surgical experience and has completed more than 5,000+ hip and knee replacements.
His international fellowship training included hip and knee replacement at Addenbrooke’s University Hospital in Cambridge and Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital in Dublin.
He was among the first surgeons in Australia to adopt Mako robotic-assisted anterior total hip replacement and has developed particular experience in functional hip planning - assessing the relationship between the hip, pelvis and spine before hip replacements. This can be especially relevant for patients with spinal stiffness or previous lumbar fusion.
Areas of Expertise
What Dr Limbers assesses and treats.
Hip osteoarthritis causing persistent pain, stiffness and loss of function
Avascular necrosis and other conditions that significantly damage the hip joint
Hip arthritis associated with dysplasia or previous injury
Assessment of a painful or poorly functioning hip replacement
Recurrent instability or dislocation after hip replacement
Loosening, wear, fracture or other mechanical problems affecting an existing hip replacement
Key Operations Performed
Key operations performed.
- Mako assisted
Mako Anterior Total Hip Replacement
Dr Limbers performs primary hip replacement through an anterior approach, working between muscle planes rather than routinely detaching major muscles. Mako planning uses a pre-operative CT scan to create a three-dimensional model and assist with component size and position. Functional planning also incorporates standing and sitting imaging to assess the hip-spine relationship.
- Mako assisted
Mako Revision Total Hip Replacement
Revision hip replacement is considered when an existing implant has a defined problem such as loosening, wear, recurrent instability, infection, fracture or significant component-position issues. Revision surgery is more complex than a first hip replacement and requires careful investigation before an operation is recommended.
About Mako Robotic Surgery for the Hip
Mako is not an autonomous robot.
Dr Limbers remains in control of the operation and uses the technology as a planning and precision tool. A CT-based model allows the proposed hip replacement to be planned before surgery, while intraoperative registration helps match the patient’s anatomy to that plan.
The robotic arm assists with preparation of the acetabulum, or hip socket, within defined boundaries. The objective is accurate reproduction of the surgical plan while preserving healthy bone where possible. Robotic planning does not remove the normal risks of hip replacement, and the final result still depends on patient factors, implant choice, surgical judgement and rehabilitation.
About Gosford Private Hospital for Hip Surgery
Central Coast hip replacement surgery is performed by Dr Limbers at Gosford Private Hospital in North Gosford.
The hospital has 12 modern operating theatres and dedicated orthopaedic facilities, including Mako robotic technology for hip and knee replacement.
After hip replacement, patients are cared for by orthopaedic nursing staff with support from physiotherapy and other allied health disciplines. Gosford Private also offers on-site rehabilitation, including inpatient and day programs, a rehabilitation gymnasium and hydrotherapy facilities for patients who require them.
For many Central Coast patients, this means consultation in North Gosford or Kanwal and surgery at a major private hospital within the same region. Whether a patient returns directly home or requires additional rehabilitation is decided individually according to mobility, medical health and support at home.
Key Orthopaedic Surgical Experience
A hip and knee practice, built on volume.
More than 25+ years of orthopaedic surgical experience
More than 5,000+ hip and knee replacements
More than 3,000+ Mako robotic-assisted hip and knee replacements
Among the first Australian surgeons to adopt Mako robotic-assisted anterior hip replacement
Experience with functional hip planning and spinopelvic assessment
Dr Limbers’ current practice is intentionally concentrated on hip and knee arthritis and joint replacement. For a patient looking for a hip surgeon on the Central Coast, that means the assessment, surgical planning and rehabilitation pathway are built around a narrow area of subspecialty practice rather than general orthopaedics.
Consulting Locations
On the Central Coast
North 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
Appointments for hip arthritis, hip replacement and revision hip replacement are available at North Gosford and Kanwal on the Central Coast. Dr Limbers operates locally at Gosford Private Hospital.
For Central Coast appointments, call 0424 992 259. The practice sees privately insured patients, self-funded uninsured patients and eligible DVA patients.