Hip & knee surgery — from Dr Mooney
Articles written by Dr Luke Mooney on hip and knee surgery, robotic techniques, and what patients can expect from their care.
Teaching the direct anterior approach in Melbourne
Dr Mooney was faculty on a direct anterior approach hip replacement course for surgeons from across Australia and New Zealand. What the training involves and why it matters.
Read article →Hip impingement (FAI) in younger patients
What is hip impingement (FAI)? The causes, symptoms and treatment of femoroacetabular impingement in younger, active patients.
Read article →High tibial osteotomy — an alternative to knee replacement
How realigning the knee can relieve arthritis pain and delay knee replacement in younger, active patients.
Read article →Trochanteric bursitis and lateral hip pain
What causes pain on the outside of the hip? Understanding trochanteric bursitis and gluteal tendon problems, and how lateral hip pain is treated.
Read article →Robotic vs conventional joint replacement — is robotic worth it?
Robotic-assisted surgery is widely promoted — but what does it actually change? Dr Mooney gives a balanced comparison of robotic and conventional joint replacement.
Read article →Partial or total knee replacement — which is right for me?
A partial knee replacement resurfaces only the worn part of the knee. Dr Mooney explains who is suited to a partial versus a total, and the trade-offs of each.
Read article →Preparing for your first orthopaedic consultation
A little preparation makes your first appointment far more useful. Dr Mooney explains what to bring, what to expect, and the questions worth asking.
Read article →Knee replacement cost in Adelaide — private, public and out-of-pocket explained
Private health insurance, Medicare rebates and out-of-pocket costs for knee replacement in Adelaide — explained clearly so you know what to expect.
Read article →How long is the wait for hip or knee replacement? Public vs private in Adelaide
Public waiting lists can run to many months or longer. Dr Mooney explains the difference between the public and private pathways and what affects how soon you can have surgery.
Read article →Am I too young (or too old) for a joint replacement?
Is there a right age for joint replacement? Dr Mooney explains why the decision is guided by symptoms, arthritis severity and quality of life rather than a number alone.
Read article →Driving after hip and knee replacement — when is it safe?
When is it safe to get back behind the wheel? Dr Mooney explains the typical timelines after hip and knee replacement and the factors that decide readiness.
Read article →Kneeling after knee replacement — can you, and when?
Many patients find kneeling difficult after knee replacement. Dr Mooney explains why, whether it causes any harm, and what to realistically expect.
Read article →Returning to sport, golf and running after joint replacement
Golf, cycling and swimming are encouraged; high-impact sport is approached with more caution. Dr Mooney explains what activity is realistic after joint replacement.
Read article →Hip replacement precautions — what you can and can't do
What can and can't you do after hip replacement? Dr Mooney explains the precautions, and why the direct anterior approach often means fewer restrictions.
Read article →Sleeping comfortably after hip replacement
Sleep can be disrupted in the early weeks after hip replacement. Dr Mooney explains comfortable positions and practical tips for better rest while you recover.
Read article →Cortisone injections for hip and knee arthritis — do they work?
Cortisone can ease arthritis pain for a time, but it is not a cure and has limits. Dr Mooney explains what to expect and the important timing around surgery.
Read article →PRP and 'stem cell' injections for knee arthritis — what the evidence says
PRP and 'stem cell' injections are heavily marketed for arthritis. Dr Mooney gives a balanced, evidence-based view of what they can and cannot do.
Read article →Prehabilitation — exercises to prepare for hip or knee surgery
The fitter and stronger you are going into surgery, the better you tend to come out. Dr Mooney explains prehabilitation and how to prepare for joint replacement.
Read article →Losing weight before joint replacement — why it matters
Weight affects surgical risk, recovery and how long a new joint lasts. Dr Mooney explains why, and offers a realistic, supportive approach to weight before surgery.
Read article →What does recovery after knee replacement look like?
Week by week, from hospital discharge to returning to full activity. Dr Mooney explains the milestones, what drives a faster recovery, and how to get the best result from rehabilitation.
Read article →Hip replacement recovery in Adelaide: what to expect week by week
A practical guide to the recovery journey after hip replacement — from leaving hospital to returning to full activity. Dr Mooney explains the milestones for both DAA and robotic hip replacement patients.
Read article →How does robotic assistance improve implant position in hip and knee replacement?
The outcome of joint replacement depends heavily on where the implant is placed. Dr Mooney explains how the MAKO robotic system achieves greater precision than conventional manual techniques.
Read article →Knee arthroscopy and meniscal tears: what keyhole surgery can and cannot fix
Not all meniscal tears are alike. Dr Mooney explains the difference between traumatic and degenerative tears, and when surgery is — and is not — the right approach.
Read article →How the direct anterior approach changed the way I do hip replacements
Dr Mooney reflects on why he committed to learning the direct anterior approach, what it means for patients in recovery, and how it combines with robotic assistance.
Read article →How long will my hip replacement last?
Registry data shows most hip replacements last 15–20 years or more. Dr Mooney explains what affects implant longevity and what the Australian Joint Registry data shows.
Read article →Hip arthritis in Adelaide — recognising the symptoms and knowing when to act
Hip osteoarthritis causes groin pain, stiffness and loss of movement. Dr Mooney explains the symptoms, when to seek specialist advice, and the treatment options available in Adelaide.
Read article →Hip replacement cost in Adelaide — private, public and out-of-pocket explained
Private health insurance, Medicare rebates, and out-of-pocket costs for hip replacement surgery in Adelaide — explained clearly so you know what to expect.
Read article →What does the AOANJRR say about total hip replacement?
The Australian Joint Replacement Registry tracks every hip replacement in Australia. Dr Mooney explains the data on survival rates and what it means for patients.
Read article →Revision hip and knee replacement: when is it needed?
Why joint replacements sometimes need revision, the warning signs to watch for, and what the revision surgery procedure involves for hips and knees.
Read article →How long will my knee replacement last?
Dr Mooney explains registry data on total and partial knee replacement survival rates, and the factors — implant choice, alignment, patient activity — that affect longevity.
Read article →Knee arthritis in Adelaide — symptoms, treatment, and when surgery is the answer
Knee osteoarthritis affects thousands of Australians. Dr Mooney explains the symptoms, non-surgical treatments, and when knee replacement surgery becomes the right choice.
Read article →What does the AOANJRR say about partial knee replacement?
Registry data on unicompartmental knee replacement — survivorship, revision rates, and what the data shows for patients considering partial versus total knee replacement.
Read article →What does the AOANJRR say about total knee replacement?
What the Australian Joint Replacement Registry tells us about total knee replacement outcomes — revision rates, survival, and what the data means for patients.
Read article →Robotic knee replacement in Adelaide
MAKO robotic knee replacement in Adelaide with Dr Luke Mooney — how the technology works, who it suits, and what patients can expect from robotic-assisted knee surgery.
Read article →Why I use the curved lateral incision for knee replacement
Dr Mooney explains why he switched to a curved lateral skin incision for knee replacement in 2024, and the benefits for wound healing and patient recovery.
Read article →Why does my knee replacement click or knock, and is it normal?
Clicking, clunking, or knocking sounds after knee replacement — what causes them, when they’re normal, and when to seek review from your surgeon.
Read article →Patellofemoral instability: understanding kneecap dislocation
Kneecap instability explained — who is affected, what non-surgical management involves, and when MPFL reconstruction is needed to restore stability.
Read article →ACL rupture: evidence-based management
Not every ACL tear needs surgery. Dr Mooney applies the latest evidence to graft selection, LET, and rehabilitation to give patients the best chance of returning to sport.
Read article →ACL graft options — which is best for me?
Hamstring, patellar tendon, or quad tendon — which ACL graft is best? Dr Mooney explains the options and how graft choice is tailored to each patient.
Read article →What does rehabilitation and recovery from ACL reconstruction look like?
Phase by phase, from the first days after surgery through to return-to-sport testing. Dr Mooney explains the ACL rehabilitation timeline and what drives a successful outcome.
Read article →What is LET and how has it improved ACL reconstruction outcomes?
Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis reduces re-rupture rates in high-risk ACL patients. Dr Mooney explains the evidence and when he recommends adding LET to ACL reconstruction.
Read article →Hamstring tendon rupture: when surgery is the right choice
Proximal hamstring avulsion — who needs surgery, who doesn’t, and what the repair procedure and return-to-activity timeline look like.
Read article →Choosing an orthopaedic surgeon in Adelaide
What qualifications, experience and techniques matter when choosing an orthopaedic surgeon in Adelaide — and the right questions to ask at your first consultation.
Read article →Nutrition before and after joint replacement surgery
How protein, iron, vitamin D and other nutrients support healing and recovery after hip or knee replacement — and practical steps to optimise your nutrition before surgery.
Read article →GP tips on assessing hip and knee conditions — a practical guide
Practical guidance for GPs on assessing hip and knee conditions — what to examine, which imaging to order, and when to refer to a specialist.
Read article →Ready to take the next step?
Call the rooms or submit an online enquiry. A GP referral is required for Medicare rebate purposes.