Hip and knee pain in Sydney tends to build for years before anyone books a consultation, then it becomes urgent overnight. The names covering orthopedics in Sydney on this page have logged 568 Google reviews between them, and the ratings sit remarkably close, 4.9 to a perfect 5, so the real differences show up in specialty focus and how each practice handles recovery.
Short answer: St Vincent's Hip & Knee Surgeons, led by Dr Roger Brighton and Prof Waller, has the most reviews on this list (194 reviews at 4.9 stars), with patients describing fast recovery after hip and knee replacement. Dr Sanjeev Gupta holds a perfect 5.0 across 98 reviews. All the surgeons on this list operate out of or near St Vincent's Private Hospital in Darlinghurst, and costs vary significantly based on surgery type and private health cover.
#1 Overall🕑 Open 5 days/wk
St Vincent's Hip & Knee Surgeons
4.9★★★★★194 Google reviews
St Vincent's Hip & Knee Surgeons is a Darlinghurst practice built around Dr Roger Brighton and Professor Waller, both operating out of St Vincent's Private. The practice focuses specifically on hip and knee replacement and reconstruction, including revision surgery and sports-related ligament repair. Reviewers describe outcomes ranging from urgent pre-travel knee replacements to hip surgeries that held up for decades.
What people praise
- Most-reviewed practice on this list, built on decades of hip and knee work
- Patients describe fast turnaround from consultation to surgery when timing matters
- Long-term outcomes, one reviewer's knee reconstruction held up 23 years and counting
- Consistently described as approachable and thorough throughout the process
Reputation scorecardrank in Sydney
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown96% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google
Our take: The most established name on this list for hip and knee replacement specifically, with a review history spanning decades rather than a single recent surge.
📍438 Victoria St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
#2🕑 Open 5 days/wk
Dr Sanjeev Gupta - Orthopaedic Surgeon
5.0★★★★★98 Google reviews
Dr Sanjeev Gupta is an orthopedic surgeon based in Newtown specializing in hip and knee replacement, including complex cases involving prior hardware or existing injuries. Reviewers describe him accommodating urgent same-day surgery after a fall, and taking on technically difficult revisions other cases might have turned away.
What people praise
- Perfect 5.0 rating across all reviews
- Reviewers describe rapid recovery, often walking again within days of surgery
- Willing to take on technically complex cases involving existing hardware
- Praised for a calm, unhurried consultation manner
Worth knowing
- Smaller review base than St Vincent's Hip & Knee Surgeons
Reputation scorecardrank in Sydney
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown99% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google
Our take: A strong pick if your case is complicated by a prior injury or existing hardware, an area reviewers specifically credit him for handling well.
📍Suite 101/100 Carillon Ave, Newtown NSW 2042
#3🕑 Open 5 days/wk
A/Prof Nick Vertzyas
4.9★★★★★97 Google reviews
A/Prof Nick Vertzyas practices joint replacement surgery from Darlinghurst, and his site notes he performed the first robotic-assisted Persona knee replacement worldwide using the Zimmer Biomet platform. His focus covers hip and knee replacement plus revision surgery. Reviewers consistently mention his post-operative visits continuing daily, sometimes outside standard hours.
What people praise
- Performed the first robotic-assisted knee replacement of its kind worldwide
- Reviewers repeatedly mention daily post-op visits, described as unusually attentive
- Handles both primary and revision hip and knee surgery
- Office staff described as warm and highly organized
Reputation scorecardrank in Sydney
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown98% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google
Our take: Worth prioritizing if robotic-assisted technique matters to you, and the post-operative attentiveness reviewers describe is a genuine differentiator.
📍Suite 901 B/438 Victoria St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
#4🕑 Open 5 days/wk
Dr Tim Small - Orthopaedic Surgeon
4.9★★★★★93 Google reviews
Dr Tim Small is an orthopedic surgeon in Darlinghurst specializing in hip, knee, and orthopedic trauma surgery, trained at the University of Auckland. What stands out in his reviews is a pattern of recommending non-surgical paths first when appropriate, only proceeding to surgery when it's genuinely the better option.
What people praise
- Multiple reviewers specifically praise him for avoiding unnecessary surgery
- Handles trauma cases alongside standard hip and knee procedures
- Practice manager praised for navigating insurance and paperwork clearly
- Patients from overseas describe smooth navigation of the Australian system
Reputation scorecardrank in Sydney
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown98% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google
Our take: A good fit if you want a surgeon who will genuinely weigh non-surgical options first rather than defaulting straight to the operating table.
📍St Vincent's Clinic Suite 712, 438 Victoria St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
#5🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews
Dr Amir Kalanie - Hip and Knee Specialist
4.9★★★★★86 Google reviews
Dr Amir Kalanie is a hip and knee specialist at St Vincent's Bone & Joint in Darlinghurst, with two decades of experience in partial joint replacement and hip arthroscopy. His practice covers arthroscopic and open hip and knee surgery, and reviewers frequently mention him for younger, active patients dealing with labral tears rather than the older joint-replacement population.
What people praise
- Two decades of focused experience in hip arthroscopy
- Reviewers describe minimal scarring and faster-than-typical recovery
- Takes time to explain cost and recovery expectations upfront
- Popular with younger, active patients rather than only older joint-replacement cases
Reputation scorecardrank in Sydney
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown98% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google
Our take: The pick to consider if you're dealing with a labral tear or hip arthroscopy case rather than a straightforward joint replacement.
📍Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, 901/438 Victoria St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
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Health information disclaimer: This directory is informational only and not medical advice. Rankings reflect publicly available Google ratings and review volume, not clinical outcomes. Verify any practitioner’s credentials and registration with the relevant medical board before booking.
How we score
Every number on this page is computed from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion or payment. Rating is the surgeon’s live Google star average. Review volume is how many patients have rated them, ranked against other Sydney orthopedic surgeons. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a rating built on hundreds of reviews carries more weight than the same score from a few dozen. Recency reflects how recently patients are still leaving reviews. No practice can pay to change these numbers.
What does orthopedic surgery cost in Sydney? (2026)
Orthopedic surgery costs in Sydney vary enormously depending on whether it’s a consultation, arthroscopy, or full joint replacement, and whether you’re going through private health insurance, Medicare, or paying out of pocket. We don’t have a single trustworthy published rate across these practices, so ask each surgeon’s office for a written cost estimate covering the surgeon’s fee, anaesthetist, and hospital costs separately.
Serving Sydney
All the surgeons on this list practice in or near Darlinghurst, most affiliated with St Vincent’s Private Hospital, with one based in nearby Newtown. If you’re searching for an orthopedic surgeon near me in inner Sydney, most of these practices are within a short distance of each other around the St Vincent’s precinct.
What to ask before orthopedic surgery
- Would a non-surgical approach be reasonable to try first?
- Is this surgery available with a robotic-assisted or minimally invasive technique?
- What is the total cost, including the surgeon, anaesthetist, and hospital fees?
- What does the recovery and rehab timeline typically look like?
- How many procedures like mine have you performed?
Frequently asked questions
How did you choose these orthopedic surgeons?
We started from real orthopedic surgeons in Sydney with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we score above.
Are these rankings paid?
No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.
How often is this updated?
The data carries a verified date (July 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.
Do I need a GP referral to see an orthopedic surgeon in Sydney?
Yes, typically. Medicare and most private health funds require a referral from a GP or another specialist to claim a rebate on an orthopedic consultation.
How long does recovery from hip or knee replacement take?
Reviewers across these practices commonly describe walking with assistance within days and returning to normal activity within weeks to a few months, though this varies by procedure and individual health. Ask your surgeon for a recovery timeline specific to your case.
The bottom line
St Vincent’s Hip & Knee Surgeons is the safe default given its review volume and decades-long track record, while Dr Amir Kalanie is the stronger call for hip arthroscopy in a younger, active patient. Get a full cost breakdown covering surgeon, anaesthetist, and hospital fees before you commit.
