Gary Nattrass

Gary Nattrass

Dr Gary Nattrass

Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon Melbourne

Degrees

MD FRCSC FRACS

 Offices

64 Chapman Street North Melbourne VIC 3051 03 9322 3360 (Primary) Cabrini Health 183 Wattletree Road Malvern VIC 3144

Services

Hip Conditions in babies, children and adolescence

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)

Perthes disease

Slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE)

Hip Reconstruction

Pelvic and femoral osteotomy

Spinal deformity

Scoliosis treatment and surgery

Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT)

Kyphosis

Spondylolisthesis

Child and adolescent sports injuries including trauma and fractures

Knee conditions

Meniscal injuries

Patellofemoral dysfunction

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)

Foot and Ankle

Talipes Equino Varus (TEV; Clubfoot) (including Ponseti method)

Painful flat feet/tarsal coalitions

Alignment issues

Knock knees (genu valgum)

Bowed legs

Intoeing and out-toeing

Neuromuscular disorders

Cerebral palsy

Muscular dystrophy

Gary Nattrass is a Fellowship-trained, Melbourne based Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon. He has a special interest and expertise in Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) as well as Paediatric Hip Conditions (Hip Dysplasia, Perthes disease, SUFE).

This is alongside his general upper and lower limb practice and also the management of neuromuscular disorders (cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy etc.). He also offers pre-natal counselling for parents when an orthopaedic condition has been identified in-utero.

Gary is originally from Canada. He received his Medical Degree from the University of Alberta before working in General Practice for six years in Los Angeles. He completed his Orthopaedic Surgery training at the University of Calgary and then undertook Sub-Specialty Fellowship training at Melbourne’s Royal Children Hospital and also the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Los Angeles.

After joining the Staff at the Shriner’s Hospital, Gary then returned to Melbourne taking up a staff position at the Royal Children’s Hospital where he has been part of the teaching program since 1995.

Privately Gary operates at Cabrini Hospital in Melbourne. With state of the art facilities and a dedicated Children’s unit with specialised paediatric staff, all procedures including Scoliosis and major Hip Dysplasia surgeries can be performed there.

In the constantly evolving world of Scoliosis, Gary believes the primary focus for this condition is non-operative. To this end Gary has assembled an expert team of physios, nurses, Pilates instructors and orthotists who work with him to address the child’s spinal condition. When surgery is deemed necessary, Gary is qualified with a broad range of surgical options including posterior spinal instrumentation, anterior scoliosis surgery, ‘growing’ rods and vertebral body tethering (VBT).

The management of hip dysplasia has been a long time interest for Gary. He understands the journey that parents are faced with when they find out their child has a dysplastic hip. His practice of paediatric orthopaedics ranges from dealing non-operatively with newborns with a program of hip bracing – through to complex femoral osteotomies in adolescents and young adults.

As one of Australia ‘s most experienced Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeons, Gary was elected by his peers to serve as President of the Australian Paediatric Orthopaedic Society (APOS) from 2009 – 2011. He has a keen interest in Orthopaedic education and is a past-Chairman of the Victorian and Tasmanian Regional Training Committee of the Australian Orthopaedic Association. He has undertaken voluntary work overseas with Cabrini Outreach treating children in Papua New Guinea and China.

In terms of Research, Gary has undertaken numerous research projects at the Royal Children’s Hospital and has published extensively. This has resulted in him being invited to speak internationally on Scoliosis and Hip Dysplasia.

In addition to his dedication to medicine, Gary has enjoyed a lifetime passion for sport. A former Canadian trapshooting champion and coach and an Intercollegiate ice hockey player in North America, he currently enjoys golfing, skiing and a challenging gym program! His dedicated support of his family’s sporting activities has led to his enthusiasm for Aussie Rules, Cricket, Aerobics, Athletics, Distance Running, Netball and Dance.

In summary, Gary prides himself on following the ‘Three E’s’ of Paediatric Orthopaedics: Experience, Empathy and Excellence.

pediatric orthopedic surgeon melbourne

Frequently Asked Questions

Doctor Nattrass is one of the leading paediatric orthopaedic surgeons in Australia. Currently practising in Melbourne, he is a member of ‘FRACS’ (Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons), a distinction only awarded to specialist surgeons who have completed a minimum of 12 years of medical and surgical education.

As a leading paediatrician, Dr Nattrass continues to see patients with orthopaedic complications in all stages of early childhood including infancy, babies, children, teenagers and adolescents.

Dr Gary is a specialist paediatrician and welcomes patients with the following conditions:

  • Hip conditions including but not limited to Hip Dysplasia, Perthes disease, SUFE – Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis and Pelvic/Femoral Osteotomy.
  • Spinal deformities including but not limited to Scoliosis, Vertebral Body Tethering, Kyphosis and Spondylolisthesis.
  • Foot, Ankle and Knee conditions including but not limited to Club foot, Talipes, Ponseti, Flat Feet, Knock Knees, Tarsals, Bowlegs, Intoeing and Out toeing.
  • Neuromuscular disorders and conditions including but not limited to Cerebral Palsy and Muscular dystrophy.

Dr Gary also sees patients for paediatric trauma and fractures in children and adolescents.