Orthopaedic waiting lists on way down

The number of knee and hip replacement surgeries in 2009 was the highest ever, Health Minister Joseph Cassar said in reply to a parliamentary question by Labour MP Anthony Agius Decelis.

It is expected that the number of surgeries this year would increase again, thanks to the addition of a new consultant from overseas and arrangements for the three consultants who have retired to continue to work in the Orthopaedics Department, with a view to further reducing waiting lists.

There will also be the use of an additional operating theatre at Mater Dei Hospital, as well as increased use of facilities in the afternoons and evenings.

Between knee and hip replacements and revisions thereof, there were 308 interventions in 2007, 301 in 2008 and 392 in 2009. Respectively the interventions had included 22, 16 and 20 cases of bilateral replacements.