Patient Information — A/Prof. Marinis Pirpiris

Your First Appointment

A GP referral is recommended before attending your first appointment, as it is required to access Medicare rebates. Your GP will also be able to forward relevant imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scans) and clinical notes to the rooms prior to your appointment.

Bring your GP referral letter
Bring any X-rays, MRI, or CT scans (on disc or as printed films)
Bring your Medicare card and private health insurance details
Bring a list of your current medications
Arrive 10–15 minutes early to complete any registration paperwork
You are welcome to bring a support person — family member or carer

At your initial consultation, A/Prof. Pirpiris will take a full history, examine you, review your imaging, discuss your diagnosis, and outline all available treatment options. He will ensure you have time to ask questions and fully understand your condition before any decisions are made.

Preparing for Surgery

If surgery is recommended, A/Prof. Pirpiris’s rooms will guide you through every step. Good preparation improves outcomes and recovery.

Before the Operation

Attend your pre-operative assessment appointment as scheduled
Inform the team of all medications, supplements, and allergies
Follow all fasting instructions provided — typically nil by mouth from midnight
Arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you the first night after a day procedure
Cease blood-thinning medications (e.g. aspirin, warfarin, fish oil) as instructed — always confirm with your GP and the rooms
Do not smoke in the weeks before surgery, as this significantly impairs healing
Optimise your general health — manage weight, blood sugar (if diabetic), and blood pressure prior to elective surgery

Preparing Your Home

Prepare a comfortable recovery area on the ground floor if possible (especially for lower limb surgery)
Remove trip hazards: loose rugs, cords, clutter in walkways
Install grab rails in the bathroom and shower if required — your physiotherapist or occupational therapist can advise
Stock up on easy-to-prepare meals and essential supplies
Arrange help from family, friends, or a home care service for the first few weeks
Have a raised toilet seat and shower chair ready if undergoing hip or knee surgery

Mental Preparation

It is entirely normal to feel anxious before surgery. Speaking openly with A/Prof. Pirpiris and the anaesthetic team about your concerns will help. Understanding what to expect at every stage — including realistic recovery timelines — is the most effective way to reduce pre-operative anxiety and improve your overall experience.

Day Surgery & Hospital Procedures

Many orthopaedic procedures are performed as day surgery (you go home the same day). Larger operations such as total joint replacement typically require a short hospital stay of one to five days depending on your progress.

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Day of Procedure

Arrive at the stated time. A nurse will complete admission paperwork. You will meet the anaesthetist and be taken to the operating theatre when ready.

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Anaesthesia

Your anaesthetist will discuss the type of anaesthetic (general, spinal, or regional block) best suited to your procedure and personal health circumstances.

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Recovery

After surgery you will be monitored in recovery. Pain is managed actively with a combination of medications. Physiotherapy begins the same day for most joint replacement patients.

Please advise the rooms immediately if you develop any illness (including a cold, infection, or skin break) in the two weeks before your planned surgery date, as this may require the procedure to be postponed.

Medicare, Insurance & Fees

A/Prof. Pirpiris participates in Medicare and accepts all major private health insurance funds. A gap fee may apply depending on your level of cover — please contact the rooms when booking to discuss fees for your specific procedure.

GP referral required for Medicare rebates. Specialist referrals from other specialists are also accepted.
Private health insurance typically covers in-hospital surgical costs. Always confirm your level of cover with your insurer prior to admission.
Uninsured patients may be seen as self-funded private patients. Contact the rooms to discuss costs.
WorkCover and TAC patients are accepted — please advise at the time of booking.
X-ray & imaging facilities are available nearby at all three practice locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

The practice is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Appointments are made by phone: 03 9934 8800 or freecall 1300 ACTIVE.

X-ray and imaging services are available at or adjacent to all three consulting locations (Epworth Richmond, Cabrini Malvern, and Epworth Eastern Box Hill). Your GP or the rooms can provide a radiology referral.

Osteoarthritis is the gradual wearing away of the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in a joint, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced function. It is the most common form of arthritis. Initial management is conservative — weight loss, physiotherapy, activity modification, and anti-inflammatory medication. When conservative measures no longer provide adequate relief, surgical options including joint replacement may be considered.

Yes — physiotherapy is an essential part of recovery after most orthopaedic operations. For joint replacement surgery, physiotherapy typically begins the day after or even the day of your operation, and continues for six to twelve weeks post-discharge. Your treating physiotherapist will work with A/Prof. Pirpiris’s specific rehabilitation protocol for your procedure.

Please bring: your GP referral letter; any imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scans); Medicare card and private health insurance details; a list of current medications; and any letters from previous treating specialists. You are welcome to bring a family member or support person.

This varies considerably depending on the procedure and the nature of your work. Day procedures such as knee arthroscopy typically allow return to a sedentary role within one to two weeks. Major operations such as total hip or knee replacement typically involve four to six weeks away from sedentary work and twelve weeks or more for physical roles. A/Prof. Pirpiris will provide specific guidance based on your individual operation and circumstances.

You must not drive while taking strong pain medication (opioids) or while your reaction times are impaired. For lower limb surgery, driving restrictions vary: for right-leg procedures, most patients require six weeks before they can safely resume driving. For left-leg procedures in an automatic vehicle, the restriction may be shorter. Always confirm with A/Prof. Pirpiris before resuming driving.

See your GP for a referral. Your GP will write a specialist referral letter and can also arrange relevant imaging (X-rays, MRI) prior to your appointment, which helps A/Prof. Pirpiris assess your condition more thoroughly at the first visit. GP referrals are valid for 12 months for a new condition.

Yes — paediatric orthopaedics is one of A/Prof. Pirpiris’s subspecialty areas. He has subspecialty fellowship training in paediatric orthopaedics from Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, Shriners Hospital Los Angeles, and the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. He treats a range of childhood musculoskeletal conditions including cerebral palsy, club feet, elbow fractures, and back pain.

Patients are always welcome to seek a second opinion. A/Prof. Pirpiris supports informed decision-making and will provide copies of your clinical notes and imaging reports on request to facilitate a second opinion.

Make an Appointment

Contact the rooms Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

📞 03 9934 8800