Hip Surgeon Sydney
Expert in Mako RoboticAnterior Hip Replacement
Dr John Limbers is a hip surgeon in Sydney consulting at The San Clinic in Wahroonga on the Upper North Shore. His hip practice is focused on osteoarthritis, 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 in Sydney
Hip arthritis can be easy to misread.
The pain is often felt deep in the groin and may travel down the thigh to the knee, while stiffness can make shoes, socks, stairs and getting in and out of a car progressively harder. Some patients arrive after investigations of the back or knee because the hip has not initially been recognised as the source.
Dr Limbers assesses symptoms, examination findings, walking tolerance, sleep, imaging and the response to non-surgical treatment before discussing an operation. A hip replacement is generally considered when pain and loss of function remain substantial and the likely benefit of surgery outweighs the individual risks.
About Dr Limbers
Across more than 25+ years in orthopaedic practice, Dr Limbers has completed more than 5,000+ hip and knee replacements.
His fellowship training in hip and knee replacement was undertaken 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. His current hip practice also incorporates functional planning in selected patients, allowing the relationship between the spine, pelvis and hip to be considered when planning component position.
Areas of Expertise
What Dr Limbers assesses and treats.
Hip osteoarthritis
Avascular necrosis of the femoral head
Hip arthritis associated with dysplasia or previous trauma
Persistent pain and stiffness after non-surgical treatment
Pain or instability after a previous hip replacement
Loosening, wear, infection, fracture or component problems affecting an existing hip replacement
Key Operations Performed
Key operations performed.
- Mako assisted
Mako Anterior Total Hip Replacement
The anterior approach reaches the hip from the front and works between muscle planes rather than routinely detaching major muscles. Mako adds a CT-based three-dimensional plan and robotic-arm assistance during preparation of the hip socket. Dr Limbers’ anterior hip pathway generally does not require the traditional movement and sleeping-position precautions used after some posterior approaches, although individual instructions always take priority.
- Mako assisted
Mako Revision Total Hip Replacement
Revision hip replacement is a more complex operation performed when a previous implant has a defined problem that can be corrected surgically. Depending on the cause, this may involve replacing one component, the bearing surfaces or the entire replacement, and reconstructing areas of bone loss where required.
About Mako Robotic Surgery for Hip Replacement
Before primary Mako hip replacement, a CT scan is used to create a patient-specific three-dimensional model.
Dr Limbers can plan component size, position, hip length and offset before surgery, then use the robotic system to help reproduce the plan in theatre.
A distinctive part of his practice is functional hip planning. The pelvis rotates as a person moves from standing to sitting, and that movement may be reduced by spinal stiffness or previous spinal fusion. Standing and sitting imaging is used to assess this relationship so the proposed hip replacement is considered in functional positions rather than only on a static X-ray.
Mako is a precision tool rather than an autonomous surgeon. Dr Limbers remains responsible for exposure, planning decisions, implant selection, preparation and final assessment throughout the operation.
About Sydney Adventist Hospital for Hip Surgery
Dr Limbers performs Sydney hip replacement surgery at Sydney Adventist Hospital in Wahroonga.
The San’s orthopaedic service has Mako robotic-arm assisted technology for hip and knee replacement and dedicated orthopaedic ward facilities, including private ensuite rooms.
Hip and knee replacement patients can participate in the San’s prehabilitation program before surgery. This provides practical education about preparing the home, exercises, what to expect during the admission and planning for discharge.
After surgery, physiotherapy begins during the hospital stay. Patients who require additional rehabilitation can access inpatient or day rehabilitation, with a physiotherapy gymnasium and hydrotherapy available on site. The need for inpatient rehabilitation is assessed individually; many patients are able to return home with an appropriate recovery plan.
Key Orthopaedic Surgical Experience
Experience, approach and planning, not the technology alone.
More than 5,000+ hip and knee replacements across a 25+ year orthopaedic career
More than 3,000+ Mako robotic-assisted hip and knee replacements
Among the first Australian surgeons to adopt Mako robotic-assisted anterior total hip replacement
Functional hip planning and spinopelvic assessment
Primary and revision hip replacement within a focused joint replacement practice
For patients searching for a hip surgeon in Sydney, Dr Limbers’ point of difference is the combination of long-term joint replacement experience, an anterior surgical approach and extensive use of Mako planning rather than the technology alone.
Consulting Locations
In Sydney
Wahroonga
The San Clinic
Suite 403, Level 4, 185 Fox Valley Road
Wahroonga NSW 2076
Book an Appointment Today
Appointments for hip arthritis, anterior hip replacement and assessment of a painful or failed hip replacement are available at The San Clinic in Wahroonga on Sydney’s Upper North Shore.
For Sydney appointments, call 0498 260 549. The practice sees privately insured patients, self-funded uninsured patients and eligible DVA patients.