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For General Practitioners

Referring to
Dr Chien-Wen Liew

A guide for GPs referring patients for hip or knee replacement assessment. Includes clinical indications, referral requirements, and contact details for Orthopaedics 360.

Dr Chien-Wen Liew
Orthopaedics 360

Dr Chien-Wen Liew is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon specialising exclusively in total hip and knee replacement surgery. He consults and operates at Eastwood Private Hospital and Calvary Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide. This page is designed to assist GPs with referral information, clinical indications, and consultation expectations.

01

About Dr Liew

Dr Chien-Wen Liew holds FRACS (Orthopaedics) and completed subspecialty fellowship training in total joint arthroplasty. His practice focuses exclusively on total hip and total knee replacement surgery - he does not perform general orthopaedic procedures or sports medicine.

Dr Liew uses the direct anterior approach (DAA) for hip replacement and kinematic alignment for knee replacement. Both techniques are associated with faster early recovery and improved patient-reported outcomes compared to conventional methods. He uses 3D pre-operative planning and patient-specific instrumentation for every case.

Dr Liew's joint replacements are recorded in the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR), which monitors the performance of joint replacements across Australia.

"My practice is deliberately focused. A surgeon who does one thing - and does it consistently - is better placed to give every patient the standard of care they deserve."

Dr Chien-Wen Liew - FRACS (Orthopaedics)
02

When to Refer

Referral for orthopaedic assessment is appropriate when a patient has symptomatic hip or knee arthritis that is limiting daily activities, has not adequately responded to non-surgical management, or when imaging demonstrates moderate-to-severe joint space narrowing consistent with end-stage osteoarthritis.

It is not necessary to exhaust all conservative measures before referring - an orthopaedic consultation at an earlier stage allows for shared decision-making and appropriate planning, including optimisation of comorbidities ahead of any potential procedure.

Routine
Symptomatic arthritis with functional limitation; imaging consistent with moderate-to-severe OA; conservative management ongoing or completed. Appointment within 2-4 weeks.
Semi-Urgent
Significant functional decline; patient unable to perform basic activities of daily living; pain refractory to analgesia; rapidly progressive radiological change. Please indicate in referral letter.
Urgent
Acute periprosthetic joint infection, periprosthetic fracture, or acute implant failure in a patient with a prior arthroplasty. Please call the rooms directly: (08) 7077 0158.
03

What to Include in Your Referral

A standard GP referral letter is sufficient. The following information is helpful and will support a focused and efficient first consultation:

Current symptoms - joint(s) affected, pain severity, functional limitations (walking distance, stairs, sleep, employment)
Imaging - recent weight-bearing X-rays of the affected joint(s); MRI if available for atypical presentations
Conservative management - analgesia tried (including opioids), physiotherapy, weight loss efforts, intra-articular injections
Medical history - current comorbidities, medications (particularly anticoagulants, diabetes management, immunosuppressants), BMI
Surgical history - prior joint procedures, fractures, or arthroplasty of the affected limb
Allergies - including metal sensitivities if known
Social circumstances - living situation, support at home, employment demands (relevant to post-operative planning)
04

Contact & Referral Details

Referrals may be sent by fax, secure messaging, or via your practice management software. The rooms team at Orthopaedics 360 will contact the patient directly to arrange their appointment.

Practice
Orthopaedics 360
Surgeon
Dr Chien-Wen Liew FRACS
Phone
(08) 7077 0158
Fax
(08) 7099 0171
Hospital
Eastwood Private Hospital & Calvary Adelaide Hospital
Address
Eastwood, South Australia

For urgent matters involving a patient with a prior arthroplasty (suspected infection, periprosthetic fracture, or acute implant failure), please call the rooms directly. The team will escalate appropriately.

05

Common Questions from GPs

What does a referral to Dr Liew need to include?+
A standard referral letter is sufficient. Including relevant imaging (X-rays, MRI), a summary of non-surgical management tried, and the patient's current functional limitations will help ensure a focused first consultation. Please include current medications and any relevant comorbidities.
How quickly can patients be seen?+
Routine appointments are typically available within 2-4 weeks. For patients with significant functional limitation, please indicate this in your referral and we will aim to schedule them sooner. Contact the rooms directly on (08) 7077 0158.
Does Dr Liew see patients with private health insurance only?+
Dr Liew sees patients with private health insurance. The consultation attracts a Medicare rebate with a standard GP referral. For specific fee enquiries, please contact Orthopaedics 360 directly.
Does Dr Liew perform partial knee replacement?+
Dr Liew specialises exclusively in total hip and knee replacement. Patients with isolated compartment disease who may be candidates for partial knee replacement will be assessed and counselled on all appropriate options at the time of consultation.
Where does Dr Liew operate?+
All surgical procedures are performed at Eastwood Private Hospital (204 Greenhill Road, Eastwood) and Calvary Adelaide Hospital (120 Angas Street, Adelaide). Consulting rooms are at Level 2, Eastwood Private Hospital.

Refer a Patient

Send referrals by fax to (08) 7099 0171 or call the rooms on (08) 7077 0158

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General Information Only. This page is intended as a guide for referring general practitioners. It does not constitute clinical advice. Clinical decisions regarding individual patients remain the responsibility of the treating clinician. For patient-specific queries, please contact Orthopaedics 360 directly.