MORE VIDEOS
Explore more

Bone, Joint & Spine Procedures

Procedures for bones, joints and the spine: joint replacements for knee and hip, keyhole joint surgery, ligament reconstruction, operations for fractures and trapped nerves, spinal surgery, and injections and aspirations that diagnose and treat joint problems.

This page lists all 17 of them in the guide. Open any procedure for preparation, step-by-step what happens, recovery advice and frequently asked questions.

ACL reconstructionACL reconstructionBones, Joints & SpineAnkle arthroscopy / fusion consult proceduresAnkle arthroscopy / fusion consult proceduresBones, Joints & SpineBunion surgery (hallux valgus correction)Bunion surgery (hallux valgus correction)Bones, Joints & SpineFracture fixation surgery (ORIF)Fracture fixation surgery (ORIF)Bones, Joints & SpineGanglion excisionGanglion excisionBones, Joints & SpineHip arthroscopyHip arthroscopyBones, Joints & SpineHip fracture surgeryHip fracture surgeryBones, Joints & SpineJoint aspiration (arthrocentesis)Joint aspiration (arthrocentesis)Bones, Joints & SpineJoint injection (steroid)Joint injection (steroid)Bones, Joints & SpineKnee arthroscopy and meniscectomyKnee arthroscopy and meniscectomyBones, Joints & SpineShoulder arthroscopy and rotator cuff repairShoulder arthroscopy and rotator cuff repairBones, Joints & SpineSpinal decompression / laminectomySpinal decompression / laminectomyBones, Joints & SpineSpinal discectomy / microdiscectomySpinal discectomy / microdiscectomyBones, Joints & SpineSpinal fusionSpinal fusionBones, Joints & SpineTotal hip replacementTotal hip replacementBones, Joints & SpineTotal knee replacementTotal knee replacementBones, Joints & SpineTrigger finger releaseTrigger finger releaseBones, Joints & Spine
Procedure / testCategoryWhat it is
ACL reconstructionBones, Joints & SpineAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction replaces the torn central knee ligament with a graft — usually tendon taken from your own hamstring or kneecap tendon, sometimes donor tissue — fixed inside tunnels drilled in the shin and thigh bones.
Ankle arthroscopy / fusion consult proceduresBones, Joints & SpineTwo keyhole/joint procedures for the ankle: arthroscopy treats problems inside the joint (loose bodies, impingement, cartilage flaps) through a camera; ankle fusion (arthrodesis) permanently stiffens a severely arthritic ankle by joining the shin and ankle bones, trading movement for pain relief.
Bunion surgery (hallux valgus correction)Bones, Joints & SpineBunion surgery realigns the big toe joint by cutting and repositioning the bone (osteotomy), fixed with small screws, and balancing the soft tissues, to correct the bunion (hallux valgus) deformity.
Fracture fixation surgery (ORIF)Bones, Joints & SpineOpen reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is surgery to realign a broken bone and hold it with metal plates, screws, rods or wires while it heals. It is used for fractures that are displaced, unstable, involve a joint surface, or cannot be held accurately in a cast.
Ganglion excisionBones, Joints & SpineA ganglion is a benign fluid-filled swelling arising from a joint or tendon sheath, most often on the back of the wrist. Excision removes the ganglion together with its stalk to reduce recurrence.
Hip arthroscopyBones, Joints & SpineHip arthroscopy is keyhole surgery of the hip joint in which a camera and instruments are inserted while the joint is gently distracted on a traction table. It treats problems such as labral tears and femoroacetabular impingement (extra bone that pinches the joint).
Hip fracture surgeryBones, Joints & SpineHip fracture surgery repairs or replaces the broken top of the thigh bone near the hip. Depending on the fracture pattern, treatment is internal fixation with screws or a sliding screw-and-plate, a half replacement (hemiarthroplasty), or occasionally a total hip replacement.
Joint aspiration (arthrocentesis)Bones, Joints & SpineJoint aspiration removes fluid from a swollen joint with a needle for testing and to relieve pressure. The fluid is examined for crystals (gout, pseudogout), infection (septic arthritis) and inflammation — one of the highest-yield tests in joint medicine.
Joint injection (steroid)Bones, Joints & SpineA joint injection delivers corticosteroid (and usually local anaesthetic) directly into a painful joint to reduce inflammation and pain. Ultrasound or X-ray guidance is used for deeper joints such as the hip.
Knee arthroscopy and meniscectomyBones, Joints & SpineKnee arthroscopy is keyhole surgery in which a camera and small instruments enter the knee through two or three tiny cuts. A partial meniscectomy trims away a torn piece of the meniscus (the cartilage shock absorber); other procedures include removing loose bodies and smoothing damaged cartilage.
Shoulder arthroscopy and rotator cuff repairBones, Joints & SpineShoulder arthroscopy uses a keyhole camera to inspect and treat the shoulder joint and the space above it. Rotator cuff repair reattaches torn shoulder tendons to the bone using anchors and stitches passed arthroscopically.
Spinal decompression / laminectomyBones, Joints & SpineSpinal decompression (including laminectomy) removes bone and thickened ligament from the back of the spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves caused by narrowing (spinal stenosis).
Spinal discectomy / microdiscectomyBones, Joints & SpineA microdiscectomy removes the fragment of a slipped (prolapsed) disc that is pressing on a spinal nerve, using a small cut and a microscope or magnifying system. It is most often done in the lower back for sciatica.
Spinal fusionBones, Joints & SpineSpinal fusion permanently joins two or more vertebrae together so they heal as one bone, using screws, rods and cages with bone graft. It can be done from the back, front or side of the spine.
Total hip replacementBones, Joints & SpineA total hip replacement replaces the worn ball-and-socket hip joint with a prosthetic ball on a stem in the thigh bone and a cup in the pelvis, with a smooth bearing surface between them.
Total knee replacementBones, Joints & SpineA total knee replacement resurfaces the worn ends of the thigh bone and shin bone (and sometimes the kneecap) with metal components and a smooth plastic bearing, creating a new joint surface.
Trigger finger releaseBones, Joints & SpineTrigger finger release is a small operation dividing the tight pulley at the base of a finger that traps the tendon, causing the finger to catch, click or lock in a bent position.
Please note: This page is educational information about a medical procedure or test. It does not replace the instructions of your own care team, who know your situation and whose preparation, fasting and medication advice you should follow if it differs from anything here. If you have symptoms that worry you, or an appointment you do not understand, contact your clinical team.