An orthopaedic surgeon is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system—this includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Treatment may involve surgical or non-surgical methods.
Dr Lambers has specialised in the treatment of conditions of the upper and lower limbs (from the hip to the foot and the shoulder to the hand). Dr Lambers does not treat spinal conditions, complex bone and soft tissue tumours (cancers) or developmental conditions in children which are best managed in expert centers.
Yes, a valid referral from your GP or another specialist is required.
You can make an appointment by calling our rooms after your GP has sent a referral, which is most often done electronically.
Please bring your referral letter, Medicare card, private health insurance details, relevant imaging (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans), a list of medications and a written list of any questions you would like answered during the consultation. Please wear loose fitting clothing to allow for examination and inspection of the affected area.
Dr Lambers has undertaken fellowships locally and abroad in the treatment of arthritis and sports injuries of the arms and legs. The most common conditions treated include hip, knee and shoulder arthritis, ACL and meniscus tears of the knee and rotator cuff tears and instability (dislocations) of the shoulder. Hand and foot conditions include ankle instability, ankle arthritis, bunions and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Dr Lambers will recommend you consider non-surgical options first such as physiotherapy, injections (e.g., cortisone), bracing, and lifestyle modifications before considering surgery.
After a thorough assessment and review of your imaging, we discuss all treatment options with you. Surgery is typically recommended when conservative treatments have not been successful and the choice of whether or not to proceed with surgery is up to you. There is no rush to go ahead, and you may choose to take time to discuss with family and friends before making your decision.
WALANT surgery is a technique where local anesthesia and adrenaline are used to numb the surgical area, allowing patients to stay awake during the procedure without the need for a tourniquet or general anesthesia. This approach is ideal for hand surgeries like carpal tunnel release and trigger finger release. You can read more about it here.
Common procedures include joint replacements (hip, knee, shoulder), arthroscopy of the shoulder and knee, ACL reconstruction, meniscus surgery, rotator cuff repair and carpal tunnel release.
Surgeries are either performed in Wangaratta or locally in the Alpine Shire. In Wangaratta the options are either the private hospital (Wangaratta Private Hospital) or the public hospital (Northeast Health Wangaratta), depending on your insurance status and surgical requirements.
It depends on the type of surgery. Some procedures are day surgeries, while others may require a short hospital stay (1–2 days). Dr Lambers will advise you.
While generally safe, risks include infection, bleeding, blood clots, nerve damage, and complications related to anaesthesia. Dr Lambers will discuss the specific risks of your procedure in detail as part of the consent process if surgery is to be considered.
You may experience swelling, discomfort, and limited mobility initially. Pain management and a structured rehabilitation program are key parts of your recovery. Particularly for procedures of the knee, foot and ankle the swelling and stiffness may take up to 6-12 months to fully recover.
Yes, physiotherapy is often a critical part of recovery to restore strength, movement, and function. You are encouraged to make an appointment soon after surgery with your existing physiotherapist and rehabilitation guides after procedures are available here.
Recovery times vary by procedure and individual. Minor procedures may require days to weeks, while joint replacements or ligament reconstructions may take several months.
This depends on your job type, procedure, and recovery progress. Dr Lambers will give personalised guidance on returning to normal activities.
Yes, we accept all major private health funds. Please provide your insurance details prior to your appointment so we can verify your membership. You will need to contact your insurer if proceeding with surgery in a private hospital to ensure your membership plan covers that particular procedure.
All consultations incur an out of pocket fee. For patients with private health insurance having surgery at the Wangaratta Private Hospital, there is a $500 out of pocket surgeon fee under the known gap agreement with insurers, separate to the hospital excess. We will provide a written estimate before any procedure. There is no cost to the patient for surgeries performed in the public system at Northeast Health Wangaratta. See the below page for more information and details on fees: Your First Visit
Yes, for most major health insurers Dr Lambers participates in the known gap scheme which involves an out of pocket expenses for the surgery fee of $500, which is paid to Dr Lambers rooms prior to surgery. This is separate from the hospital excess paid to the hospital.
For urgent post-operative concerns, please contact the hospital where you had your surgery or if seriously concerned you may present to your nearest emergency department. For non-urgent issues, please call our rooms during business hours.
Absolutely, we support your right to seek a second opinion and are happy to provide you with a letter summary of the consultation to assist with a second review.
Yes, telehealth appointments are available for some follow-ups and consultations, particularly for regional and remote patients. Initial (first) consultations are in person due to the requirement to examine you for your condition. Please contact our rooms if you have any questions regarding this.
Yes, we accept approved WorkSafe Victoria and TAC referrals. Please ensure your claim number and approval are in place before your appointment and provide the injury date, claim number (TAC) and both employer and insurer (WorkSafe) where applicable.
Generally speaking, most patients are driving again at 6 weeks after upper limb surgery, and some do so earlier than this.
When you are able to drive depends on the following factors:
For example, minor operations will be able to drive much sooner than major operations (such as shoulder replacement). If you are still taking strong medications that can cause drowsiness such as morphine-derived or related pain killers (such as Palexia, Oxycontin, Endone, Tapentadol, Oxycodone, Tramal or Tramadol) it may also not be safe to drive. You should not drive if your wrist, arm or shoulder are in a cast, splint or sling that restricts movement to allow safe vehicle operation.
There is no formal letter required from doctors for clearance to drive, and licencing authorities do not specify driving instructions after surgery. It is something discussed at your follow up visit and also somewhat self assessed as per below.
When you are back to using your operated arm normally without much pain then you may be in a position to forcefully use the steering wheel in an emergency without delay. It is recommended that you do this first (hold the steering wheel firmly and turn it suddenly as if avoiding an obstacle) in a stationary, parked and turned-off vehicle when you feel that you are ready to drive again. If pain or stiffness limits your ability to turn safely in an emergency it may not yet be safe to drive. Feel free to talk to Dr Lambers or your GP about this if you have any concerns.
There is also information regarding this in the treatments section of patient resources, by looking up your specific surgery for instructions.
Depending on the procedure, you may require crutches, a walker, or a sling temporarily. We’ll advise you on what to arrange ahead of time.
Short local travel may be fine soon after surgery, but flying or long drives are usually restricted for a period due to the risk of complications such as blood clots. Please discuss your travel plans with your surgeon.
Return to activity depends on the surgery and your recovery progress. Low-impact exercise is often encouraged early, while high-impact activities may need to wait several months.
Yes, for most procedures you’ll need someone to accompany you home and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours.
Watch for signs of infection (fever, increased redness, swelling, or discharge), uncontrolled pain, or blood clots (leg pain/swelling, shortness of breath). Contact us or seek medical help immediately if these occur.
Yes. Follow-up visits are essential to monitor your healing, remove sutures (if applicable), and adjust your rehabilitation plan.
Yes, we can provide medical certificates, WorkCover certificates, and fitness-for-duty assessments during your consultation or follow-up.
Please contact us as early as possible to reschedule. Missed appointments without notice may incur a fee, especially for longer initial consultations.
Yes. We send detailed letters and updates to your referring doctor and any other relevant health professionals unless you request otherwise.
We welcome feedback to help improve our service. You can provide it in person, over the phone or via the contact form found on our website.
