Author Archives: Norman Elevencione

If you think you or your child may have a broken bone there are some important steps to take. First AidImmobilize the limb – broken bones hurt less if they aren’t moving so stabilize the arm or leg with something stiff – a rolled newspaper or stick strapped to the limb work well. Seek Medical…

Emergency SurgeryEmergency surgery is life or limb saving surgery, that needs to be done swiftly to save a person’s life or preserve their limb. Such surgeries include appendectomies and trauma surgery.  The orthopaedic emergencies that need swift surgery include broken hips, open fractures at risk of infection, or fractures that compromise nerve function and blood…

One of Dr Brian Loh’s favourite things to treat as an orthopaedic surgeon is hip dysplasia.  DDH is a problem that if diagnosed early and managed well is entirely curable, leading to the normal development and function of the hip joint. When babies are investigated for DDH, Dr Brian Loh will refer them for an…

Orthopaedic outreach is when Australian orthopaedic surgeons lend their skills to colleagues overseas. When done best, they leave the patients and surgeons better equipped to manage moving forward. Recently Brian and some other australian orthopaedic surgeons flew to Vietnam to volunteer at a hospital in Hanoi. The surgeons in Vietnam are amazing. Their capacity to…

Wearing a backpack properly is important to help prevent back and shoulder pain.  So, how should one be worn properly? 1. Firmly on both shoulders! One-sided carrying leads to a side bent posture and back and shoulder pain. Loose bags can swing causing chaffing. Too much pressure can cause arm tingles if the circulation or…

Inflammatory arthritis is a group of arthridites caused by the body’s immune system attacking the joints.  Each type has its own pattern, signs & symptoms.  The most common type is Rheumatoid arthritis. Some inflammatory arthridites in particular, affect children, whilst many affect women and a few affect primarily men. A rheumatologist can help diagnose &…

Osteoarthritis = wear and tear arthritisIf you’ve made it to 40 you probably have some signs of osteoarthritis in your joints. Factors that can contribute to the development of Osteoarthritis are:– Previous injury– Hyper mobility– Overuse– Obesity How to minimise the risk of osteoarthritis developing? What strategies help when it does develop?– Rehab injuries well–…

Arthritis is a general term that means inflammation of the joints.  Arthro = joint, Itis = inflammation.   There are about 100 different types of arthritis that have different symptoms, different causes and different treatments.  Arthritis can be divided into two main types – Osteoarthritis which is the wear and tear arthritis and Inflammatory arthritis,…

Everyone needs to have access to save and accessible transport. However, this becomes rather more challenging when you have a child living with a disability or medical condition.  Standard car seats don’t always support or fit a child properly – they may need additional postural support, be especially good at escaping or need to accommodate…

Whilst children in Victoria can legally sit in a regular car seat from the age of 7, it is not the safest option as few 7 year-olds are tall enough to do so safely. There is a 5-step test to determine if your typically developing child is ready to sit in the car with a…