Orthopaedics

Gain insight into matters of the bone structure, such as osteoporosis and knee replacements from our expert orthopaedic surgeons.

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Orthopaedics

The new science of hip and knee replacements

Orthopaedic surgery has come a long way. Hip or knee replacement operations are no longer a case of deep cuts, invasive surgery and long recovery times. Mediclinic Potchefstroom orthopaedic surgeon Dr Hannes Jonker talks us through the new technology in use today.

Orthopaedics

Simple steps to healthy feet

High heels, flat soles, pointy toes… Those new shoes look great on you, but are they also damaging your feet? A Mediclinic podiatrist separates the facts from the fiction.

Orthopaedics

Of life and limb

José de Barros Viana Orthotics and Prosthetics can be found at Mediclinic Cape Gate, where he helps patients such as double amputee ten-pin bowler Winston Balada (pictured above).

Healthy Life

Ensuring bone health

Consistently looking after your bones from childhood to old age can help avoid complications. Here’s how to keep your bones healthy.

Orthopaedics

How to overcome disability

It’s any able-bodied person’s worst nightmare: losing a limb, receiving a prosthetic in its place, and being bound to a wheelchair. So what does it take to overcome a physical disability like that? Paralympic wheelchair tennis star Kgothatso Montjane shares her winning formula.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • We place oxygen-releasing, toxin-absorbing plants, like Sanseviera Trifasciata, around our hospitals.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Mediclinic is one of the three leading private hospital groups in Southern Africa and the sixth largest private healthcare group in the world.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Our 24-hour emergency centres feature state-of-the-art life-saving equipment.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Nurses can observe patients at all times as critical care units are designed like a beehive with the nurses’ station in the middle.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • To make the most of every second, we strive to synchronise all our clocks in the hospital.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Our hospitals have been awarded international accreditation for best practice in the management of environmental systems and practices.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Our hospitals are designed to minimise ambient noise to promote sleeping and the healing process.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • We use the internationally recognised Oxford Vermont Network to keep our neonatal critical care units at the forefront of paediatric medicine.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Our radio-translucent theatre beds enable X-rays to be taken on the spot, without having to move the patient or disturb the procedure.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • We found a practical solution to a shortage of theatre nurses by becoming a registered teaching institution.
    #MediclinicFacts
Orthopaedics

How do total knee replacements work?

Dr Peter Smith, orthopaedic surgeon at Mediclinic Milnerton, explains how total knee replacements work.

Orthopaedics

When you need a new knee

You use 54 muscles every time you take a step. Find out what happens when you need a knee replacement.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • The triage admission system in our emergency centres has been able to reduce mortality by up to 50%.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Mediclinic trains more than a thousand nurses annually at training centres throughout Southern Africa.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Our hospitals are designed to minimise ambient noise to promote sleeping and the healing process.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Scrub areas in theatre are a minimum of 2.1m wide to accommodate at least two people at a time.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • A baby has a 70% better chance of surviving a motor vehicle accident if in a secure car seat and properly restrained.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Mediclinic uses building materials that reduce background noise for minimal disturbance.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • To ensure sterility, our surgical instruments are twice wrapped in sterile fabric.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • An orange has over 170 different phytonutrients and more than 60 flavonoids, providing anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour and blood clot-inhibiting effects.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • A jumping rope uses almost every muscle in the entire body during exercise.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • To make the most of every second, we strive to synchronise all our clocks in the hospital.
    #MediclinicFacts
Orthopaedics

Bone density tests and preventing osteoporosis

our experts explain what to expect when having a bone density test as well as lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk.

Orthopaedics

Osteoporosis – could it happen to me?

Osteoporosis is not confined to the elderly any more. Here, our experts answer your questions about this disease.

Orthopaedics

Getting a grip on carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome often presents in people who experience repetitive strain in their hands or wrists, as could be caused, for example, by working with vibrating machinery for long periods, sewing or even aggressive piano playing.

Orthopaedics

What is a nuclear medicine bone scan?

For a nuclear medicine scan you will be injected with a radioactive tracer of a low dose of radiation (similar to the dose used in an x-ray). This radio-labelled tracer, Tc99m MDP, then travels through your bloodstream to the bone where your bone building cells will absorb it. An image is then taken using a gamma camera, which will show your blood supply to the bone, and its bone cellular function.

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