Orthopaedic Surgeon

M.B.,B.S., Dip. Surg. Anat., FRACS(Orth), FAOrthA

Introduction

Ponnaren (Pon) Pak is a highly trained orthopaedic surgeon. He obtained his medical degree from The University of Melbourne and undertook advanced orthopaedic training in Melbourne and Sydney. He is a recognised fellow of the Australian Orthopaedic Association and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He has undergone post fellowship (Subspecialty) training in shoulder and upper limb surgery as well as a knee arthroplasty and orthopaedic sports medicine. 

Ponnaren is active in orthopaedic research with ongoing research activity in shoulder arthroplasty. He has multiple publications in peer reviewed journals and has presented at national and international orthopaedic conferences. 

Areas of Specialisation

Dr. Pak maintains a general orthopaedic practice which is required for his rural appointment and his association with Orthopaedic Outreach. He also provides a high level of sub-specialisation within the field of orthopaedic surgery. He is able to provide a comprehensive and up to date service in the following areas.
​
  • Shoulder arthroplasty (anatomical, reverse and revision)
  • Complex open shoulder reconstructions (open stabilisations, fracture repair and tendon transfers)
  • Arthroscopic shoulder surgery (including all arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and stabilisations)
  • Open and arthroscopic elbow surgery
  • Open and endoscopic wrist and hand surgery
  • Hip and knee arthroplasty (primary and revision surgery)
  • Open and arthroscopic knee reconstructions

Appointments & Hospital Affiliations

Dr Pak has affiliations with both public and private hospitals and can provide a comprehensive service regardless of your insurance status.
Orthopaedic Surgeon
ESSENDON ORTHOPAEDICS
​Essendon Orthopaedics is the primary consulting rooms for Dr. Pak. He also regularly provides services in the Werribee, Moorabbin, Wantirna and Mildura.
Discipline Leader in Orthopaedic Surgery
UNIVERISTY OF NOTRE DAME
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Dr. Pak is a Discipline Leader in the specialist surgical discipline of orthopaedic surgery and is responsible for clinical teaching and co-ordinating the orthopaedic curriculum.
Visiting Orthopaedic Specialist
MERCY HEALTH WERRIBEE
​Dr. Pak is closely involved with the expansion of orthopaedic services at The Werribee Mercy Hospital. In the near future, a comprehensive orthopaedic service will be available to the patients of the Wyndham community and surrounding areas.
Visiting Orthopaedic Specialist
ST VINCENT'S PRIVATE HOSPITAL
Dr, Pak currently provides private surgical services at St Vincent's Private Hospital East Melbourne and Kew campuses.
Visiting Orthopaedic Specialist
​HOLMESGLEN PRIVATE HOSPITAL 
Dr. Pak provides consulting and surgical services at Holmesglen private hospital. He is on the orthopaedic on call roster at Holmesglen private for patients requiring acute and urgent orthopaedic care. 
Visiting Orthopaedic Specialist
​KNOX PRIVATE HOSPITAL 
Dr. Pak attends Knox private hospital on a fortnightly basis and provides consulting service as well as surgical services.
Visiting Orthopaedic Specialist
​MILDURA HEALTH
Dr. Pak attends Mildura Private Hospital fortnightly and provides a consulting service as well as surgical services to the local community. Dr. Pak offers patients a comprehensive range of orthopaedic procedures at Mildura Private Hospital where they can be close to home and have the support of their family and friends nearby.

Qualifications and Professional Affiliations

  • FRACS (Orth) - Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in the Speciality of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • FAOrthA - Fellow of the Australian Orthopaedic Association
  • Dip. Surg. Anat. - Postgraduate Diploma in Surgical Anatomy, The University of Melbourne
  • M.B.,B.S. - Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, The University of Melbourne
  • Australian Medical Association (AMA)
  • Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association (APOA)
  • Orthopaedic Outreach, Australian Orthopaedic Association
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
  • American Medical Association Diploma Impairment Assessment

Subspecialty Experience

  • Fellowship, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Waitemata District Health Board (North Shore Hospital), Auckland, NZ
  • Fellowship, Research, Orthopaedic Research labaratories, UNSW, Sydney NSW
  • Fellowship, Knee Surgery, St George Private Hospital, Sydney, NSW
  • Fellowship, Orthopaedic Sports medicine, St Vincents Private Hospital, Sydney, NSW

Surgical Education and Training

  • Advanced training in orthopaedic surgery, The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Surgical Anatomy, The University of Melbourne
  • Basic Surgical training, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
  • Surgical Residency, The Royal Melbourne Hospital

Medical Education and Training

  • Hospital Internship and Residency Program, The Royal Melbourne Hospital
  • Medical Degree (MBBS), The University of Melbourne

Community service & volunteer experience

Pon is part of Orthopaedic outreach Australia and has travelled to the Solomon Islands and Cambodia  providing much needed orthopaedic care to the local communities. He has provided education and training to the local orthopaedic surgeons and hospital staff  to improve the quality of orthopaedic care provided by the local health services. He has also assisted in the acquisition and donation of medical equipment and supplies.  

Research 

Publications

Pak P, Eng K, Page RS. Fixed-angle locking proximal humerus plate: an evaluation of functional results and implant-related outcomes. ANZ J Surg. 2013 Sep 5. doi: 10.1111/ans.12370. [Epub ahead of print]

P. Pak, R. Oliver, D. Bell, Y. Yu, J. Bellemore and W. Walsh. INFLUENCE OF AGE ON POSTEROLATERAL SPINAL FUSION IN RABBITS USING AUTOGRAFT. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2012 vol. 94-B no. SUPP XXIII 164

Ackland DC, Pak P, Richardson M, Pandy MG. Moment arms of the muscles crossing the anatomical shoulder. J Anat. 2008 Oct;213(4):383-90

Pak P, de Steiger R. Cone femoral prosthesis for osteoarthritis of the hip with femoral dysplasia. J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong). 2008 Aug;16(2):206-10.

Presentations

2009 Orthopaedic Research Society, 55th ANNUAL MEETING, Las Vegas, Nevada USA. INFLUENCE OF AGE ON POSTEROLATERAL SPINAL FUSION IN RABBITS USING AUTOGRAFT


15th Triennial Congress of Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association, September 9-13, 2007, COEX, Seoul Korea.  THE CONE FEMORAL PROSTHESIS FOR THE TREATMENT OF OSTEOARTHROSIS OF THE HIP ASSOCIATED WITH FEMORAL DYSPLASIA.


2009 Australian Orthopaedic Association 69th Annual Scientific Meeting, Cairns, Queensland. INFLUENCE OF AGE ON POSTEROLATERAL SPINAL FUSION IN RABBITS USING AUTOGRAFT


2008 Australian Orthopaedic Association 68th Annual Scientific Meeting, Hobart. Fixed-angle locking proximal humerus plate: an evaluation of functional results and implant-related outcomes.


2008 Bi-Annual Shoulder & Elbow Society of Australia Meeting, Perth. Fixed-angle locking proximal humerus plate: an evaluation of functional results and implant-related outcomes.


2007 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Victorian Regional Annual General Scientific and Fellowship Meeting, Mount Eliza, Victoria. Fixed-angle locking proximal humerus plate: an evaluation of functional results and implant-related outcomes.


2007 The Geelong Orthopaedic Society Meeting, Geelong, Victoria. Proximal Humerus Fractures


2007 The Australian Orthopaedic Association 67th Annual Scientific Meeting, Gold Coast, Queensland. THE CONE FEMORAL PROSTHESIS FOR THE TREATMENT OF OSTEOARTHROSIS OF THE HIP ASSOCIATED WITH FEMORAL DYSPLASIA


​2007 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Victorian Regional Annual General Scientific and Fellowship Meeting 2007, Mount Eliza, Victoria. THE CONE FEMORAL PROSTHESIS FOR THE TREATMENT OF OSTEOARTHROSIS OF THE HIP ASSOCIATED WITH FEMORAL DYSPLASIA