The 5 Best Orthopaedic Specialists in Sydney for Anyone Whose Moves Deserve a Comeback
A close friend of mine spent months brushing off knee pain as “nothing serious,” even while gripping stair railings and skipping the sport he loved.
When it started affecting his sleep and work, he finally asked for help—and that’s when we realised how confusing it is to find the right specialist. Everyone looks qualified on paper, but not all of them are right for your specific problem.
After digging through reviews, specialisations, and real patient experiences, we finally found someone who actually fit his situation—and things started to turn around.
Instead of letting all that hard work disappear into the group chat archives, I decided to share it. If they helped my friend get back on his feet, they can do the same for you. Here’s a rundown of the best orthopaedic specialists in Sydney we found along the way.
How much do orthopaedic specialists charge in Sydney?
Orthopaedic specialists in Sydney usually charge $210–$300 for an initial consultation, with Medicare rebates available. Surgery costs vary widely, often ranging from $6,000 to over $23,000 depending on the procedure.
1. Dr Tim Small
Address: St Vincent’s Clinic, Suite 712, 438 Victoria St, NSW 2010
Contact Details: +61 28 382 6927
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Dr Tim Small is known to look after knees and hips. He’s trained in Sydney and overseas in London and South Africa, as well as at the University of Auckland, which gives him a broad, well-rounded approach to care.
He can support you through joint replacement or something a bit more complicated, such as hip resurfacing. On top of that, the way treatment options are presented is refreshing.
Surgery isn’t pushed as the only answer, which I honestly appreciate. Alternatives like physiotherapy, injections, PRP, and viscosupplementation are actually treated as legitimate options, not just afterthoughts.
Admin stuff is handled well, too. The forms and payment info are clear from the start, and there’s plenty of guidance so you don’t find yourself lost before you even get to your first appointment.
Several patients say it makes a big difference, especially if you’re already stressed about your health.
The clinic is based at St Vincent’s, which is convenient, but parking can be tricky during busy times. If you’re planning to drive, I’d definitely recommend giving yourself extra time to find a spot.
Dr Small has managed to perform a very successful arthroscopic procedure
“I approached Dr Tim Small after a recommendation from a friend who underwent a hip & knee replacement some years back and is now fully active in all aspects of his adventurous lifestyle at 70. My issue has been a persistent debilitating meniscus tear for approximately 18 months. During that time I’ve had had two unsuccessful meniscectomy’s with another surgeon. Fortunately Dr Small has managed to preform a very successful arthroscopic procedure that has given me my quality of life back. The recovery surprisingly has been totally painless without the need for any medication. I Was back into my normal activities immediately. I highly recommend Dr Small for any of orthopaedic needs.”
– Barry Mourad, Google Review
Dr Small was great – super knowledgeable and he was always happy to answer
“I had a partial knee meniscectomy with Dr Small after getting a bucket handle tear playing tennis. Dr Small was great – super knowledgeable and he was always happy to answer Qs. My surgery went really well and I’ve had limited pain afterwards. Really nice guy too. Cynthia (Practice Manager) was also extremely helpful. She was super knowledgeable in navigating my Bupa policy for the first time and was always quick to respond. Always happy to take the time to explain things to me, which I appreciate a lot! Would highly recommend using Dr Small particularly for anyone coming from the UK. I found navigating the Aussie healthcare system a bit confusing, but Dr Small and Cynthia were knowledgeable, flexible and helpful throughout. Thanks Dr Small & Cynthia.”
– Cameron Needham, Google Review
2. Dr Jason Chinnappa
Address: Prince of Wales Private Hospital, Suite 11, Level 7, NSW 2031
Contact Details: +61 29 650 4767
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Dr Jason Chinnappa’s work is focused on hips and knees, supported by subspecialty training in advanced reconstruction and replacement, including both anterior and posterior hip approaches.
He’s also spent some time in Paris working on paediatric orthopaedics, which is reassuring if you’re bringing a child along. Although children requiring highly specialised care may be referred on to super-specialists when appropriate.
But don’t worry, being part of the SOASIS team at Sydney Orthopaedic & Arthroscopic Surgery means physiotherapists, pain specialists, and other clinicians are brought in when needed.
You can find the clinic at Prince of Wales Private Hospital, where imaging and post-operative support are on-site, so you’re not bouncing between different locations for each stage of care.
To make the most of each visit, patients are encouraged to come prepared with questions and recent scans. I’ve found this makes the time feel well used.
A few people also mentioned that the urgent slots for fractures or sports injuries were a relief when something unexpected came up.
Dr Chinnappa is very releaxed and explained everything that he was going to do
“I was in agony and my hip had bits breaking off due to back injury and my quay and glute on the right side wasn’t engaging when I walked and after a year it started to grind down on my hip. Dr Chinnappa is very relaxed and explained everything that he was going to do. He told me how I would feel, time for recovery and what I needed to do.
I’d love to say that a hip replacement is a pleasant experience but his relaxed demeanour was very reassuring and you know bada bing, I could walk again ! Bounced back a lot faster than I thought I would. Very happy man. It’s been a while since I enjoyed walking now I like it”
– Laif Etournaud, Google Review
Demonstrated sound orthopaedic knowledge and real, honest care
“Dr Jason Chinnappa was a godsend to our daughter’s recovery. A nasty ice-skating injury left our daughter with a broken leg. From our first consultation, Dr Chinnappa demonstrated sound orthopaedic knowledge and real, honest care and confidence as he performed a successful, delicate surgery, where he rejoined the bone with a metal plate and pins. Some moths later, Dr Chinnappa cleanly removed the fixation elements, again with a minimal intrusion and scarring. We would not hesitate in recommending Dr Chinnappa and thank him for his care and expertise.”
– Adam Searle, Google Review
3. Dr Sushil Pant
Address: Edgecliff Centre, Suite 211/203-233 New South Head Rd, NSW 2027
Contact Details: +61 29 215 6100
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Dr Sushil Pant is the founder and medical director of Sydney Shoulder Unit, a clinic known for its focus on shoulder problems.
He’s a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Australian Orthopaedic Association, with more than 20 years as a doctor and over a decade of experience with shoulder conditions.
Because they specialise so heavily, they cover a wide range of issues—from sports injuries and traumatic damage to longer-term problems like frozen shoulder and arthritis.
Here, you can try non-surgical treatment first, and if needed, they offer keyhole arthroscopy or a full shoulder replacement. One patient mentioned that this approach felt sensible and tailored to the situation, rather than pushing surgery right away.
The team also handles workers’ compensation cases and coordinates with other healthcare providers. That’s a big relief if you’re dealing with multiple appointments and specialists, because it makes everything feel more organised.
Clear communication is another thing I value here. The clinic hands out detailed infographics for patients before and after treatment, so you get a clear idea of what’s going to happen.
The only thing you’ll need to do before booking is get a referral from your GP or physio. It’s not a big deal if you’re already working with someone, but if you’re trying to sort things out yourself, it can slow things down a bit.
The surgery went so smoothly that I actually woke up feeling better than before
“I had a SLAP tear and seeing Dr. Pant was the best decision I could’ve made. He did a biceps tenodesis, and the surgery went so smoothly that I actually woke up feeling better than before. I’m 4 months post-op, my physio says I’m ahead of schedule with recovery, which really shows the quality of Dr. Pant’s work. He explained everything clearly, guided me through the process, and made sure I was fully ready before starting physio. I’m really happy with both the care and the results. I highly recommend Dr. Pant and his team.”
– Perry Tor, Google Review
I believe he is one of the best in business
“dr pant, unique doctor is gentleman. genuine. nicest person unbelievable how gentleman he is. i never meet someone like him. my wife and we enjoyed meeting him lovely person. and i believe he is one of the best in business he advised me not have this operation because of my age it won’t do any good in future. you can’t be more genuine than this. he could have done my operation to earn more money but advised not to how wonderful is that. i love this man. i phoned his office sectary she was very helpful on phone as well when we arrived to his surgery in city very difficult to find she guided us that was very nice”
– David Tooma, Google Review
4. Dr Sanjeev Gupta
Address: The University of Sydney, Suite 101/100 Carillon Ave, NSW 2042
Contact Details: +61 29 519 1919
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Dr Sanjeev Gupta’s orthopaedic centre specialises in hip and knee joint replacements, along with reconstructive trauma surgery and related procedures.
They also go beyond standard replacements, offering advanced care such as revision replacements, unicompartmental knee replacements, and soft tissue surgery around the hip.
The clinic itself is well organised—it offers flexible telehealth options for follow-ups, which I found convenient for keeping up with appointments.
On top of that, Dr Gupta’s credentials are pretty solid. He trained at top centres in the US, has years at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital under his belt, and is linked up with major hospitals like Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.
That network matters because if your case gets complicated, there are lots of resources and connections to draw on.
Patients also consistently mention his active involvement in research and teaching; many see it as a sign that he keeps up with the latest advancements and maintains high standards of care.
But you should note that some surgeries or post-op care are done at partner hospitals rather than at the clinic itself. So you might need to travel or coordinate care between locations.
Moved mountains to be able to perform the surgery on the same day as the fall
“My elderly mother recently had a total hip replacement due to a bad fall. Dr Gupta moved mountains to be able to perform the surgery on the same day as the fall. Thanks to Dr Gupta’s care and expertise, she is recovering well and is expected to regain her full mobility.”
– Nadia, Google Review
Completed my husband’s hip replacement, and it has been a smooth process
“Dr Gupta is simply amazing. He completed my husband’s hip replacement last month and it has been such a smooth process. The surgery was difficult due to existing hardware from a previous injury, however, Dr Gupta has left my husband virtually pain free. He spent 2 nights in hospital, and was home and on his feet 2 days after surgery. Dr Gupta’s manner is just lovely. He makes you feel valued, with regular check ins post surgery. We can’t thank him enough for giving my husband relief after 23 years of hip issues from a Rugby injury. Dr Gupta, you are the best! Thank you.”
– Sarah Tatola, Google Review
5. Dr Darren Chen
Address: George Private Hospital, Suite 201, Level 2/131 Princes Hwy, NSW 2217
Contact Details: +61 28 307 0333
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Sydney Knee Specialists is run by Dr Darren Chen, who has extensive experience with hip and knee replacements, complex revision surgeries, arthroscopic reconstructions, and cartilage work.
He’s also involved in designing prosthetics and pioneering robotic knee surgery, which shows how much he cares about staying ahead in his field.
One thing I’ve noticed (and plenty of other patients mention this too) is Dr Chen’s dedication to clear communication. He takes time to really listen, and only recommends surgery when he thinks it will genuinely help.
And after the procedure, you’re not just sent on your way. The clinic has a solid follow-up system and makes sure you’ve got proper rehab advice, which can be crucial for a smooth recovery.
Another detail that came up a few times is his fluency in Mandarin. For those who are more comfortable in that language, it makes it much easier to understand everything.
However, since it’s a private hospital setting, the costs for consults and surgeries are definitely higher than those of a more general ortho clinic.
Not every insurance plan covers all the bases, so it’s smart to check where you stand on that before you get started.
Outstanding with his support and knowledge during my diagnosis
“Dr Chen was outstanding with his support and knowledge during my diagnosis and booking of my surgery. He diagnosed me in a matter of minutes. He later called promptly after receiving results and informed me of my plan of action and helped me to book surgery. Dr Darren Chen is outstanding!”
– YMTV, Google Review
I can’t express in adequate words what a brilliant job you’ve done
“I’d been in pretty much constant pain for 12 years following a botched knee operation by another surgeon. I went to Darren with much caution and uncertainty but the outcome has been fantastic. A brand new knee and basically zero pain for 99% of the day. Thanks Darren, I can’t express in adequate words what a brilliant job you’ve done. If you’ve got a bad knee, go to see this bloke.”
– Mark Diamond, Google Review