BSc(Hons), BMBCh(Oxon), FRCS(Tr&Orth), PGDipSEM, Ph.D.(Cantab)

Dr Anna Kropelnicki became interested in sports medicine through her time as an elite athlete and orthopaedic surgeon. She specialises in injuries related to contact sports, concussion, traumatic injuries, and management of chronic sporting injuries, including arthritis.

Anna trained in medicine at Oxford University graduating in 2006. She previously completed a BSc(Hons) in Neuroscience, and a Ph.D. in Neuropsychology at Cambridge University. She originally intended to specialise in brain injury, but her interest in sports injuries pushed her towards trauma and orthopaedics.

In 2018, Anna completed her specialist surgical training but before starting as a consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon she undertook specialist experience on Fellowships in Sports Orthopaedics in Scotland and Sydney. Her continuing passion for managing sports injury shone through and she moved to train formally in Sports Medicine. She is currently working towards gaining specialist status within Australia through the Overseas Trained Specialist programme.

Anna competed as an elite goalkeeper in field hockey, playing in the National League (indoor and outdoor) representing some of the best clubs in the UK, training with national squads, and capped for Scotland Universities. After serious injury ended her 25-year sporting career, Anna devoted herself to sports medicine completing a postgraduate diploma in sports and exercise medicine with Bath University in 2015. She spent much of her time providing medical cover and improving medical support for many sports including extreme environment ultra-marathons, rugby, rugby league, and several combat sports. She spent 3.5 years as club/team doctor for Saracen’s Women’s Rugby. She is currently Team Doctor for Scotland Rugby League, assistant doctor with Manly Sea Eagles, works with Rugby Australia and Waratahs as their Independent Matchday Doctor, and frequently travels with England Hockey. She has worked with a number of NRL teams (Cronulla Sharks, Newcastle Knights) as well as covering many NRLW, AFL, A-league, elite boxing matches. She also worked at the FIFA Women’s Football World Cup (2023) as Team One doctor.

Services

Durolane injection

Durolane is a single-injection treatment containing stabilised hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance naturally present in healthy joint fluid that provides lubrication, shock absorption, and cushioning within the joint.

In osteoarthritis, the natural HA becomes diluted and degraded. Dr Kropelnicki may offer Durolane as part of a broader management plan for selected patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, or other joints, particularly when other conservative treatments such as exercise, weight management, and simple analgesics have provided insufficient relief.

Clinical studies have reported that some patients experience a reduction in joint pain and improvement in function following a single Durolane injection, with effects that may last for several months in some individuals. However, as with any medical treatment, individual responses vary considerably; some patients experience little or no benefit, and clinical evidence on long-term outcomes continues to evolve.

Durolane is different from some other HA products in that it is stabilised and requires only one injection rather than a series of three to five. This may offer greater convenience for some patients. However, the single-injection format does not guarantee better outcomes, and suitability depends on individual clinical factors.

Possible risks include temporary pain, swelling, warmth, redness, or bruising at the injection site. A small number of patients may experience a post-injection flare (increased pain and swelling within 24–48 hours), which usually resolves on its own within a few days. Serious complications such as joint infection are rare. Durolane is not a cure for osteoarthritis and does not reverse existing joint damage. Dr Kropelnicki can help you understand whether Durolane may be appropriate for your individual circumstances, and how it fits alongside other evidence-based treatments.

For appointments and enquiries, please phone your individual doctor or use our contact form.

St George Private Hospital
Specialist Consulting Suites
Level 2, Suite 201
131 Princes Highway
Kogarah NSW 2217

8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday to Friday
1:00pm - 6:00pm
Saturdays

          

Clinic entry via South St
OR Link Bridge from St George Private Hospital

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