Our Services

Orthopaedic Services in Whangārei – Spine, Hand, Wrist & Hip

With a focus on spine-, hand-, wrist- and hip surgery, our dedicated team is here to help you. 

The information below is not an exhaustive list of conditions treated or surgeries offered by James, any further requirements can be discussed during your consultation.

Dr James Watts

Spine Surgery

James specialises in managing all conditions affecting the spine from the neck to the coccyx, including disc herniation, nerve compression, back pain, spinal fractures, degenerative spine conditions, spine tumours and adult deformity.

Apart from highly specialised surgical techniques, he also offers non-surgical treatments specifically aimed at improving back pain where indicated:

  • Minimally invasive discectomy and decompression surgery
  • Disc replacement surgery
  • Microscopic and endoscopic surgery
  • Fusion procedures and adult deformity correction
  • Radiofrequency ablation

Hand and Wrist Surgery

Protecting and improving hand function is another one of James’ passions. The list of conditions affecting the hand and wrist is extensive: common conditions treated at James’ rooms include carpal tunnel syndrome, small joint- and wrist arthritis, Dupuytrens contracture, acute fractures and post-traumatic conditions, tendon injuries, wrist pain and degenerative hand pathologies.

James works alongside a network of dedicated hand therapists throughout Northland to ensure the best possible outcome for his patients.

Treatments offered vary from injections and minimally invasive techniques for minor ailments in the consulting rooms, to specialised surgical procedures in the operating theatre. Most hand- and wrist surgeries are performed as day-stay surgery, many of which can be done under local anaesthetic.

  • Arthroscopic/keyhole procedures
  • Joint replacement surgery
  • Tendon reconstruction
  • Deformity correction
  • Endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery
  • Steroid injections
Xray of hand and wrist illustrating hand surgery procedures

Hip Surgery

James hip surgery service provides advanced options for hip replacement surgery for joint arthritis, tailored to each patient’s individual needs for improved mobility and function. Where the pathology is not yet so advanced that surgery is required, ultrasound-guided steroid injections may be an alternative solution that can be done in the consulting rooms. 

  • Ultrasound-guided steroid injection
  • Anterior hip replacement
  • Posterior hip replacement

General orthopaedics

Apart from the above sub-specialties, James also has extensive experience with treating orthopaedic trauma, including revision surgery for non-union of fractures, deformity- and limb-length correction and removal of symptomatic fixation devices such as plates, screws and nails from both the upper- and lower limb.

This picture is of a patient who presented with a complex injury to the right lower leg, requiring a highly specialised external frame fixation to correct his deformity and aid with healing of the fracture.

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