Answers to common questions about appointments, fees, surgery, recovery, and consulting locations. If your question isn't answered here, call the rooms on (08) 7077 0157.
Yes, a valid GP referral is required for your first appointment. A standard Medicare referral letter is all that's needed — please ask your GP to include any relevant X-rays, scans, or investigation results. Referrals can be sent to Orthopaedics 360 by phone on (08) 7077 0157 or by fax to (08) 7099 0171.
You can also download a referral form from the For GPs page.
We aim to see routine referrals within 2–4 weeks. If your GP flags the referral as urgent, we will prioritise your appointment and aim to see you sooner. Call (08) 7077 0157 or submit a request online.
Please bring the following to your first appointment:
You are welcome to bring a support person to your appointment.
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is best. If you are being seen for a hip or knee problem, loose-fitting pants or shorts are ideal as Dr Mooney will need to examine the joint directly. Avoid tight jeans or compression garments if you can.
Yes — if you haven't already, please complete the online new patient form before your appointment. This saves time on the day and ensures we have your details on file ahead of your consultation.
You may also find it helpful to browse the relevant procedure page on this website beforehand so you arrive with a sense of the options available and any questions you'd like to discuss.
Yes. Call the rooms on (08) 7077 0157 to discuss which clinic location and time works best for you. Dr Mooney consults at multiple locations across metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia — see the Locations section below for details.
No. Dr Mooney charges fees based on AMA recommended rates, which are above the Medicare schedule rate. A gap applies to both consultations and surgical procedures. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your private health fund and level of cover. Call the rooms for a fee estimate before your appointment.
For detailed fee information, visit the Fees page.
Private health insurance is strongly recommended for surgery. Dr Mooney operates at Eastwood Private Hospital. Without private health cover, you will be responsible for the full hospital and surgical costs, which are substantial. If you have concerns about your level of cover, call the rooms and we can advise on what to check with your fund before booking surgery.
Call the rooms on (08) 7077 0157 with your private health fund details and the procedure you are having. We can provide a written fee estimate. You should also contact your health fund directly to confirm your benefit entitlements and any waiting periods that may apply.
Yes. Medicare provides a rebate for consultations and surgical procedures that have a Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item number. The rebate covers a portion of the cost — not the full fee. Your private health fund covers additional benefits above the Medicare rebate. The gap is the difference between the total fee and the combined Medicare and health fund rebate.
Dr Mooney specialises in conditions of the hip and knee. This includes hip arthritis, knee arthritis, ACL tears, meniscal tears, kneecap instability (patellofemoral instability), hamstring tendon ruptures, and failed joint replacements requiring revision surgery. He performs both non-surgical management and a full range of surgical procedures.
The direct anterior approach is a muscle-sparing technique for hip replacement. Rather than cutting through muscle at the back or side of the hip, the surgeon approaches from the front of the joint. Because the muscles are not detached, recovery is typically faster, post-operative pain is lower, and the risk of hip dislocation is reduced.
Most patients do not need the traditional restrictions on bending or crossing their legs after surgery. Learn more on the DAA Hip Replacement page.
Yes. Dr Mooney uses the Stryker MAKO robotic system for both hip and knee replacement. The MAKO system creates a 3D model of your specific anatomy and uses this to plan and guide implant placement with a high degree of precision — allowing implants to be positioned to match the individual anatomy of each patient.
Learn more on the Robotic Hip Replacement and Robotic Knee Replacement pages.
Dr Mooney performs surgery at Eastwood Private Hospital (Level 2, 204 Greenhill Road, Eastwood SA 5063) and Calvary Adelaide Hospital. Both facilities have dedicated orthopaedic theatres, and Eastwood Private Hospital has full robotic surgery capability.
Most hip and knee replacement procedures take 60–90 minutes of operating time. You will also spend time in the anaesthetic bay before surgery and in the recovery room afterwards. Dr Mooney will give you a more specific estimate at your pre-operative appointment based on your individual case.
Most joint replacement surgery is performed under spinal anaesthetic, which numbs the lower body. This is often combined with sedation so you are comfortable throughout. General anaesthetic is used in some cases. Your anaesthetist will discuss the most appropriate option for you at a pre-operative visit.
Most patients stay 2–3 nights in hospital after a hip or knee replacement. Patients having a direct anterior hip replacement often recover more quickly and may be ready for discharge sooner. Your individual stay will depend on your age, fitness level, and the complexity of your surgery.
Most patients are walking independently within a few days of surgery. By 4–6 weeks, most are off crutches and managing daily activities comfortably. Return to driving depends on being comfortable, confident of an emergency stop, and clear of opioid pain medication for at least eight hours, typically around four weeks after hip replacement and four to six weeks after knee replacement. Full recovery — including return to sport or more demanding activity — generally takes 3–6 months.
Dr Mooney will give you a personalised recovery plan at your pre-operative appointment.
Yes. Physiotherapy is an important part of recovery after joint replacement. You will begin exercises in hospital with the physiotherapy team, and continue outpatient physiotherapy after discharge. Dr Mooney will provide a referral and specific rehabilitation guidelines at your pre-operative appointment.
There is no fixed waiting period. You can drive again once you are comfortable in the car, confident you could perform an emergency stop without hesitation, and have not taken an opioid pain medicine in the previous eight hours. Most patients reach that point at around four weeks after hip replacement and four to six weeks after knee replacement. If your right leg was operated on, or you drive a manual, it usually takes a little longer. Dr Mooney will advise you on safe return to driving at your first post-operative appointment.
Modern hip and knee replacements are expected to last 20–25 years for most patients, based on Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) data. Longevity depends on the accuracy of implant placement, the implant type used, your activity level, and your weight. Robotic assistance helps optimise positioning, which contributes to long-term implant performance.
Dr Mooney's primary consulting rooms are at Orthopaedics 360, Level 2, Eastwood Private Hospital, 204 Greenhill Road, Eastwood SA 5063. The rooms are open Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. Call (08) 7077 0157 for appointments.
Yes. Dr Mooney consults at regional locations including Naracoorte (Kincraig Medical Clinic, 6 Cedar Avenue) and Mount Gambier (LICOMS, 25 Ferrers Street), as well as metropolitan clinics at Woodville (Adelaide Medical Solutions, 850 Port Road) and Tea Tree Gully (North East Health Centre, 1299 North East Road).
Regional clinic dates vary — call (08) 7077 0157 to confirm the next available date near you. See all locations on the Contact page.
Yes. Parking is available at Eastwood Private Hospital on Greenhill Road, Eastwood. Additional street parking is available in the surrounding area. The hospital is also accessible by public transport — check the Adelaide Metro journey planner for routes from your location.
You will always see Dr Mooney. He conducts every consultation himself, performs every operation, and sees you at every follow-up appointment. He does not delegate consultations or surgery to registrars or locums. The same surgeon from your first appointment through to your last follow-up.
Dr Mooney holds an MBBS from the University of Adelaide, is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS), and a Fellow of the Australian Orthopaedic Association (FAOrthA). He has completed fellowships in hip and knee surgery in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada, including a dedicated robotic surgery fellowship — one of the first Australian surgeons to do so.
Yes, Dr Mooney is accepting new patients. A GP referral is required. Call (08) 7077 0157 or submit a booking request online. We aim to see routine referrals within 2–4 weeks.
Yes. Dr Mooney is happy to provide a second opinion for patients who have been advised to have hip or knee surgery and want to discuss their options further. A GP referral is required. Please bring any imaging, reports, and previous correspondence from your treating surgeon.
Call the rooms Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm, or submit an enquiry online.
Ask your GP for a referral to Dr Luke Mooney at Orthopaedics 360, or contact the rooms directly.