Meet Dr Jasan Dannaway: Upper Limb Expertise, Rehabilitation Insight and a GP-First Approach

Dr Jasan Dannaway works from a simple belief.

An orthopaedic surgeon should be the expert in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal problems, whether that's surgery or not.

At Joint Vision, Dr Dannaway brings specialist knowledge across shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand conditions. His career path, training first as a physiotherapist before moving into medicine and orthopaedic surgery, continues to shape how he practises.

Dispelling assumptions about seeing a surgeon

There's still a fear that seeing an orthopaedic surgeon means being pushed toward an operation.

His emphasis instead is that a surgeon should assess the problem properly, explain what is going on, and outline the most appropriate pathway forward: evidence-based, proportionate and individual, rather than defaulting to surgery.

Conditions treated

• Loss of function or movement
• Shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand arthritis
• Tendon injuries and tears
• Nerve compression and nerve-related symptoms
• Upper limb trauma

His work also includes hospital trauma, giving regular exposure to acute and complex cases.

The physiotherapy background

Dr Dannaway's earlier physiotherapy training shaped his clinical approach, giving him perspective on what rehabilitation actually involves, how patients experience treatment over time, and how care is delivered outside the consulting room. That experience helps bridge the gap between specialists and general practitioners, supporting clearer conversations about expectations, timelines and realistic outcomes.

Referral guidance for GPs

1. Sudden loss of function

Where patients lose capabilities they previously had, such as lifting the arm, gripping or using the hand, specialist assessment is warranted.

2. Failed conservative management

Referral suits situations where a patient has completed appropriate non-surgical treatment, such as physiotherapy or injections, and remains significantly limited.

Other referral indicators include objective weakness, persistent nerve symptoms, confirmed nerve damage on imaging, full-thickness tendon tears, or arthritis requiring escalating pain management.

Training pathway

• Postgraduate clinical education and research qualifications
• Advanced fellowship training across Australia and the United Kingdom
• Shoulder and elbow fellowship in Sydney
• Advanced hand fellowship with the Macquarie Hand Unit
• UK fellowships at the Avon Orthopaedic Centre and Bristol Royal Infirmary, focusing on high-volume shoulder surgery, revision arthroplasty, and complex hand and elbow trauma

Working within an integrated model

Dr Dannaway was drawn to the Joint Vision model, which brings specialist assessment, imaging, allied health and rehabilitation together.

It reduces the number of steps for patients.

What patients can expect

The priority is that patients leave their first appointment feeling heard, supported and clear on the next step. Some situations do not have a single solution, but there are almost always options.

Public and private practice

Alongside his work at Joint Vision, Dr Dannaway holds a public hospital appointment, supporting assessment and management across both public and private systems and continuity of care between hospital and community settings.

You can read more about shoulder to hand care, see the information for GPs and referrers, or view Dr Dannaway's profile.