Minor Procedures - Complete Care Doctors
Complete Care Doctors have a wide range of medical and surgical knowledge. As such, they can provide a diverse range of services that encompass both preventative medicine and medical conditions that arise.
Your doctor is an ideal starting point for health concerns or queries. They can help diagnose and coordinate your medical care and refer you to specialist services where applicable.
Part of the range of minor procedures offered by Complete Care Doctors is available below.
IRON INFUSIONS
There can be several reasons for an iron deficiency, ranging from low iron in our diet, an inability to absorb iron, pregnancy or blood loss due to heavy periods.
Hints of an iron deficiency can be subtle, but signs and symptoms may intensify as iron levels drop, with pale skin, weakness, chest pain and shortness of breath amongst the indicators.
Rather than taking iron supplements on your own, a doctor can provide a blood test and assessment to determine the cause. If an iron deficiency exists, your doctor can recommend ways to manage the condition through diet.
Doctors can treat an iron deficiency with an infusion to increase the iron levels of the body quickly. An iron infusion involves delivering a dose of iron through the vein with an IV drip. Although iron infusion can take around 30 - 40 minutes, they tend to be less painful for some than an iron injection.
Should an iron infusion be recommended, your GP will work with the nursing staff to help ensure you are comfortable and relaxed during the procedure. The Iron Infusion page covers some of the more common questions, and our friendly reception staff can also assist with any general enquiries.
IUD OR CONTRACEPTIVE IMPLANT INSERTION & REMOVAL
Trying to find a contraceptive method that suits your needs can be a daunting task.
With knowledge of your medical history and as the primary point of healthcare, your doctor is well-placed to assist.
More information about intrauterine devices (IUD) and other types of contraception is available here on the IUD Contraception page.
A doctors consultation can also provide a comfortable environment in which to discuss any queries, create a plan and manage any concerns.
Different methods may suit you at various times in your life. A doctor or nurse can give you information about the benefits and risks of using the copper or hormonal IUD, as well as other methods of contraception.
SKIN CANCER SURGERY
The Cancer Council estimates that each year skin cancers account for 80 per cent of all newly diagnosed cancers.With the highest skin cancer rates worldwide, the overall message is to be vigilant about your skin and get it checked regularly.
Self-monitoring of spots and moles or having a friend, family member check can help pick up potential skin cancer early.
Also, having your skin checked by your GP is key to the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. Where appropriate Complete Care Doctors can advise on and perform skin cancer surgery.
SKIN LESION & LUMP REMOVAL
Skin lesions are lumps or sores that range from irritating to physically painful all the way through to being a health concern. They can appear anywhere on the body and appear different from the surrounding skin.
Lesions are either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), yet most are benign skin lesions.
Although of no concern, you may wish to remove a benign lesion for aesthetic reasons or avoid irritation when rubbing against clothing or jewellery.
If the lesion is is malignant and then diagnosed as melanoma, removal would be immediate as this is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
A discussion with your doctor can help manage and plan the best course of action for any lesions or lumps of concern.
EAR SUCTION
Often when we have an ear condition, we truly appreciated how precious our hearing is.
Complete Care Doctors can look after ear-related medical issues, including ears impacted by wax.
They can perform a gentle ear suction and diagnose a range of common ear conditions. These include infections, perforations or excess fluid of the ear.
A consultation will allow your doctor to diagnose and treat your condition and our friendly reception staff are on hand for general information.
JOINT INJECTIONS +/- PRP
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections care used to treat some forms of arthritis of the knee, such as osteoarthritis, usually resulting from degeneration through wear and tear.
Other areas treated with PRP injections include the joints of the hip, ankle and shoulder. PRP treatment can apply to the treatment of chronic tendon injuries that result in hip, knee or elbow pain.
Your doctor can discuss whether this treatment applies to your condition and offer more information regarding the procedure.
TRIGGER POINT INJECTIONS
Most of us have overdone gardening, persisted with muscle pain at work or strained the same muscle we were sure had already healed when playing our favourite sport.
These repeated injury or muscle overuse conditions may develop into persistent pain or a tender muscle knot. In time pressure placed on sensitive points in the muscles can cause pain in an unrelated part of the body.
These highly sensitive bundles of fibres in tight bands of muscle can be release through trigger points. One method of treating these specific areas of chronic muscle pain involves injecting medication directly into trigger points.
Complete Care Doctors can manage persistent muscle pain and offer trigger point injections where applicable.
VITAMIN INFUSION
Intravenous (IV) nutrition therapy has gained much popularity in recent years as an 'Alternative Therapy' to oral supplementation. It is a direct means of delivering high doses of vitamins and minerals directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system, with the aim of higher levels of concentration throughout the body.
Your doctor can discuss this procedure in more detail, with more information available on the IV Vitamin Infusion page.
WOUND CARE
Wound care services provided by your doctor are available for a variety of conditions. From acute injuries to chronic wounds, your doctor can manage the condition to prevent infection and further health complications.
Some wounds will result from underlying chronic disease and have complex needs where a multidisciplinary team is required. For example, if you have a foot ulcer related to diabetes, treatment may involve your GP, podiatrist and practice nurse.
Complete Care Doctors are there to assist regardless of the type of wound, providing comprehensive care and management that includes arranging referral to other health professionals as required.
TETANUS INJECTIONS
After scratching ourselves on a rusty nail, some will think of when they last had their last Tetanus injection.
Tetanus is a disease caused by bacteria. It enters cuts and wounds in the skin via spores, which grow into bacteria. The bacteria then produce a toxin that attacks the nervous system, which can be life-threatening.
However, the same concern for a rusty nail should apply to gardening, as soil, dust and animal waste may carry these spores. Otherwise known as 'Lock-jaw', Tetanus can be prevented by vaccination.
After the initial tetanus series in childhood, the recommendation is to have booster shots every ten years, but this may vary for those travelling overseas.
Your doctor can provide more information for your specific needs regarding Tetanus and other vaccinations.
PLATELET RICH PLASMA
The potential to speed up the healing process and to reduce pain and inflammation is the aim of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) procedures.
Platelets are small and make up a tiny fraction of blood volume. Best known for their role in clotting blood, they contain hundreds of proteins that important for the healing of injuries.
The process for the production of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) starts with taking a patients blood. After separating the platelets from other blood cells, a process called centrifugation helps increase their concentration.
Complete Care Doctors use a system to achieve platelet concentrations of five times or more of that found in whole blood. Injection of the PRP preparation aims to promote healing of injures or pain relief for conditions such as osteoarthritic knees.
More information is available on the Platelet Rich Plasma page.
VENESECTIONS
Venesection is the act of removing blood from blood circulation, similar to the procedure used for donating blood.
The procedures are for blood analysis or treatment for certain blood disorders. For treatment, venesection aims to decrease iron in the blood or decrease red blood cells.
Haemochromatosis, Polycythemia and Porphyria Cutanea Tarda are three disorders that require the treatment of venesection.
Haemochromatosis is where the body absorbs too much iron from the diet. Polycythemia involves the overproduction of blood cells in the bone marrow. Porphyria Cutanea Tarda affects the skin, and several different factors are necessary for the disorder to develop.
If diagnosed with any of these conditions, it is good to know that your doctor is there to treat them.
INGROWN TOENAIL RESECTIONS
Ingrown toenails can be quite painful and, if left untreated, may become infected.
From tight-fitting footwear to improper nail cutting technique, there are many reasons for ingrown toenails developing.
No matter the cause, your GP can assess the toenail and recommend a course of action that may include referral to a podiatrist.
Where a surgical procedure is required, Complete Care Doctors can perform these minor procedures within the practice.