Ankle Arthritis, Total Ankle Replacement, and Hip and Knee Replacement: GP Education Evening at Elwood Bathers. Dr Adrian Talia and Dr Andrew Fraval
On the evening of Tuesday 10 February 2026, Melbourne orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon Mr Adrian Talia joined his colleague Mr Andrew Fraval for a GP Continuing Professional Development (CPD) evening at Elwood Bathers, Elwood Foreshore, Melbourne. The event was organised by The Avenue Hospital and sponsored by Melbourne Pathology and accredited through the RACGP CPD program, providing attending general practitioners with formal learning outcomes across two clinically important areas of orthopaedic surgery.
The evening brought together approximately 30 local GPs for an informative program combining dinner, presentations, and open discussion — offering a practical update on ankle osteoarthritis and ankle replacement surgery, as well as hip and knee arthritis, imaging, non-operative management, and modern joint replacement techniques.
RACGP CPD Learning Outcomes
The session was structured to achieve two key learning outcomes for attending GPs:
Describe outcomes for people with hip and knee replacements
Outline the current gold standard management of ankle arthritis
These outcomes reflect the clinical relevance of both presentations, equipping GPs with knowledge they can apply directly in their day-to-day management of patients with lower limb joint disease.
Ankle Osteoarthritis and Total Ankle Replacement: Presentation by Mr Adrian Talia
Mr Talia presented on ankle osteoarthritis and the improving outcomes and evolving trends in total ankle replacement surgery including revision ankle replacement — an area in which he has significant clinical expertise as a Melbourne-based foot and ankle surgeon.
Ankle osteoarthritis is a progressive condition involving the degradation of cartilage within the ankle joint, resulting in pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of function. It most commonly follows previous ankle trauma — such as fractures or significant ligament injuries — though it can also occur in the context of inflammatory arthritis or as primary osteoarthritis. Despite its significant impact on mobility and quality of life, ankle arthritis is frequently underdiagnosed or managed suboptimally in the primary care setting.
Gold Standard Management of Ankle Arthritis
A central theme of Mr Talia's presentation was outlining the current gold standard approach to managing ankle arthritis, from initial diagnosis through to surgical intervention when required. GPs play a critical role in early identification and in initiating appropriate non-operative management before considering referral.
Recognising ankle osteoarthritis: clinical features, patient history, and weight-bearing X-ray interpretation
Non-operative management: activity modification, footwear optimisation, orthotics, physiotherapy, and corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections
Identifying when non-operative treatment has been exhausted and specialist referral is appropriate
Surgical options: ankle arthrodesis (fusion) versus total ankle replacement — indications and trade-offs
Improving outcomes in modern total ankle replacement surgery
Improving Outcomes and Trends in Ankle Replacement Surgery
Mr Talia highlighted the substantial improvements in total ankle replacement outcomes over the past decade. Advances in implant design, surgical technique, and patient selection have led to significantly better functional results and longer implant survivorship, challenging the historical view that ankle fusion was always the preferred surgical option for end-stage ankle arthritis.
For appropriately selected patients, total ankle replacement now offers the opportunity to preserve motion at the ankle joint, relieve pain, and return to everyday activities with a quality of life that fusion cannot always replicate. Mr Talia encouraged GPs to consider referring patients with ankle arthritis for specialist review early, as a broader range of treatment options — including ankle replacement — are available when patients are assessed before reaching the most advanced stages of disease.
Hip and Knee Arthritis, Imaging, and Modern Joint Replacement: Presentation by Mr Andrew Fraval
Mr Andrew Fraval, orthopaedic surgeon at Melbourne Orthopaedic Group, delivered a comprehensive presentation on hip and knee osteoarthritis, covering imaging and non-operative management through to modern surgical replacement techniques and how to optimise patient outcomes.
Hip and knee osteoarthritis affects a large proportion of the Australian population and is one of the leading causes of chronic pain and disability. Total hip and knee replacement are among the most commonly performed elective surgical procedures in Australia, with outcomes that continue to improve as surgical techniques and implant technologies advance.
Imaging and Non-Operative Management of Hip and Knee OA
Mr Fraval provided GPs with a practical framework for assessing and managing hip and knee osteoarthritis in the primary care setting, with an emphasis on appropriate use of imaging and maximising the effectiveness of non-surgical treatment.
Imaging for hip and knee OA: when to request X-rays, what to look for, and the limited role of MRI in routine OA assessment
Weight-bearing X-ray as the preferred imaging modality for grading osteoarthritis severity
Non-operative management: exercise therapy, physiotherapy, weight loss, analgesia, and intra-articular injections
Setting realistic expectations with patients regarding the timeline and goals of non-operative treatment
Identifying clinical and radiological indicators that a patient may benefit from joint replacement referral
Modern Hip and Knee Replacement Techniques to Optimise Outcomes
Mr Fraval outlined the considerable advances in hip and knee replacement surgery in recent years, with a focus on techniques and technologies that are improving patient outcomes, accelerating recovery, and reducing complication rates.
Modern total hip replacement: implant selection, bearing surfaces, and the anterior approach
Total and unicompartmental (partial) knee replacement: how to select the right procedure for the right patient
Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols and same-day or short-stay joint replacement
Rehabilitation milestones and expected recovery timelines following hip and knee replacement
Long-term implant survivorship data and outcomes for patients
The presentation gave GPs a clear picture of what the modern joint replacement journey looks like for their patients — from the decision to operate through to recovery — helping them to better counsel patients and set informed expectations prior to referral.
Supporting GPs with Evidence-Based Orthopaedic Education
The Elwood Bathers GP CPD evening reflects the ongoing commitment of Mr Talia and Mr Fraval to supporting their referring colleagues in primary care. General practitioners are the first point of contact for the vast majority of patients experiencing joint pain, and well-informed GPs are better equipped to initiate appropriate management, avoid unnecessary investigations, and refer patients to the right specialist at the right time.
Events like this — combining RACGP-accredited CPD with accessible, practical clinical content and an opportunity for open discussion — play an important role in strengthening the relationship between orthopaedic surgeons and the GPs who refer to them.
The Melbourne Orthopaedic Group team is committed to providing ongoing educational opportunities for GPs across Melbourne and to working collaboratively with primary care practitioners to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients with orthopaedic conditions.
Event invitation
Refer a Patient for Ankle Arthritis or Joint Replacement Assessment in Melbourne
If you are a GP wishing to refer a patient for assessment of ankle osteoarthritis, total ankle replacement, or hip and knee replacement, Mr Adrian Talia and Mr Andrew Fraval welcome referrals through Melbourne Orthopaedic Group.
Mr Talia specialises in foot and ankle surgery, including the management of ankle arthritis and total ankle replacement surgery. Melbourne Orthopaedic Group (MOG) is a group of orthopaedic surgeons dedicated to clinical and academic excellence, delivering comprehensive orthopaedic and sports injury services for over 40 years.
To refer a patient or make an enquiry, please contact Mr Talia's rooms on (03) 9124 7960 or email talia.admin@mog.com.au.