Dr Chien-Wen Liew is an Adelaide orthopaedic surgeon whose practice is dedicated exclusively to total hip and total knee replacement. He performs no other procedures. Every operating list is a total hip replacement through the direct anterior approach, or a total knee replacement planned to the patient’s own anatomy using kinematic alignment. That single subspecialty focus is uncommon among Australian orthopaedic surgeons, and it is deliberate: two operations, refined continuously, rather than a broad caseload.
Dr Liew grew up in Adelaide and completed his medical degree at the University of Adelaide before undertaking advanced orthopaedic training across South Australia and the Northern Territory. He then trained in hip and knee replacement in Switzerland, France and the United States. He was the first Australian surgeon appointed as an EFORT Fellow to Dr Frédéric Laude in Paris, a pioneer of the modern direct anterior approach, and has since performed the anterior approach exclusively for over a decade.
He now teaches both techniques to other surgeons in Australia and internationally, holds an Adjunct Professor appointment at the University of the Sunshine Coast, and sits on two of Medacta International’s global surgeon advisory boards (IHAB and KAAB). His work in kinematic alignment and patient specific technology informs how every case in his practice is planned.
Every joint is mapped in three dimensions before surgery. Hip component position and leg length are decided before Dr Liew enters theatre, then confirmed with intraoperative imaging. Knees are planned to reproduce each patient’s own pre arthritic movement rather than a population average. Patients can read more about these techniques in his hip and knee education libraries.
Every consultation, operation and follow up is performed personally by Dr Liew. Patients are supported through a structured recovery pathway with week by week guidance from the first consultation to final review. More information is available at drchienwenliew.com.au, or about Dr Liew.
Special Interests
- Total hip replacement using the direct anterior approach, muscle sparing and performed for all primary hips
- Total knee replacement using kinematic alignment and patient specific technology
- Three dimensional preoperative planning and intraoperative imaging for component accuracy
- Surgeon education and training in anterior hip and kinematically aligned knee techniques, in Australia and internationally
- Advisory board work with Medacta International (IHAB and KAAB)
- Adjunct Professor, University of the Sunshine Coast
Scope of Practice
Dr Liew accepts referrals for primary total hip replacement and primary total knee replacement. For hip arthroscopy, trochanteric bursitis, sports injuries or revision arthroplasty, he will refer directly to an appropriate specialist.
For Referring GPs
Dr Liew welcomes referrals for patients requiring total hip or total knee replacement. A clinical reference guide to hip and knee osteoarthritis, covering history, examination, imaging and referral criteria, is available for referrers.