Welcome to the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery,

The Division of Orthopaedic Surgery of Tygerberg Academic Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University is based in the Western Cape, South Africa. We strive to provide quality tertiary medical care to our community, to train world class general practitioners and orthopaedic specialists and to produce relevant and high-quality research within our burden of disease spectrum.

Enjoy our website and feel free to peruse the numerous training opportunities that are on offer within our division.

 NEWS
3D printing helps surgeons plan, practice for procedures

Until recently orthopaedic surgeons have had to rely on two dimensional imaging modalities, for example X-rays, computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to assess ailments such as tumours, fractures or deformities affecting their patients' musculoskeletal system.
With the support of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), doctors at Stellenbosch University (SU) and Tygerberg Hospital's Division of Orthopaedics have created a 3D printing laboratory and are now employing three dimensional (3D) printing techniques to create models of patients' anatomy. This process assists them in planning, practicing and executing complex and challenging surgical procedures.
“It is a relatively novel way for surgeons to visualise and assess a patient's anatomy and can help them to plan and perform procedures with a greater measure of safety and efficiency," says Dr Rudolph Venter, an orthopaedic surgeon with the FMHS.

Click here to read more

Hilgard Muller Research Award

In December 2018, the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery created the Hilgard Muller Award. The award has been created in honor of Hilgard Muller, who passed away in December 2017. To not forget Hilgard and the impact Hilgard had on the Division, a annual award for the best MMed research project was created.

The 'Hilgard Muller Award' and best MMed research project in 2018 went to Dr Elsabe Britz for the MMed entitled 'Incidence of spinal deformity, level of pain and physical status in adults with cerebral palsy and spastic diplegia'
Three more Surgeons receiving their MMed degrees

After 5 years of hard work and conducting a research project, Dr Maarten Potgieter, Dr Rudolph Venter and Dr Elsabe Britz, received their Master in Medicne degree today.

All three candidates completed their research project at cum laude level, while Dr Potgieter and Dr Britz passed their FC Orth degree also cum laude.

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Dr Burger (l), Dr Britz, Dr Venter, Prof Lamberts, Prof du Toit, Dr Potgieter (r)
FOOT AND ANKLE WORKSHOP NAMIBIA
Dr Etienne Joubert recently attended a Complex Foot and Ankle Deformity Workshop in Windhoek, Namibia from 10 to 14 December 2018. It was presented by Dr Mark Myerson, a world-renowned Foot and
Ankle surgeon from the USA, as well as faculty from Brazil and Canada. This course formed part of Dr Myerson's Steps2Walk foundation that does humanitarian work throughout the world.

The workshop included a full day of lectures as well as a full day of seeing patients with complex foot and ankle pathology. The other days were spent observing surgery performed on these Foot and Ankle patients and a cadawer lab workshop on the last day.

The course was organised by Dr Jacques Jonck (a Foot and Ankle surgeon in Windhoek and previous graduant from the Division of Orthopaedics at Stellenbosch University).
Prof Nando Ferreira - New orthopaedic procedure a game changer for amputees
An exciting new procedure that can drastically improve the lives of leg amputees was recently performed for the first time in South Africa.A Stellenbosch University (SU) professor, collaborating with the Institute for Orthopaedics and Rheumatology (IOR) at Mediclinic Winelands, the prosthetist Eugene Rossouw, and Associate Professor Munjed al Muderis of the Osseo-integration Group of Australia, performed South Africa's first osseointegration prosthesis implant on 5 November 2018.
The procedure was originally developed in Australia by Al Muderis, and involves the surgical implantation of the Osseointegration Group of Australia Osseointegration Prosthetic Limb (OGAP-OPL).


“The OGAP-OPL is a revolutionary new type of prosthesis that does away with traditional suction sockets by directly attaching an amputee's prosthetic limb to the skeleton. This affords amputees some unique advantages and can drastically transform their quality of life," says Prof Nando Ferreira from SU's Division of Orthopaedics in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), who was the lead surgeon on the procedure.

To read more click here
Supporting Movember
Most of consultants and registrars at Tygerberg Hospital are looking slightly different this November, as most of them are taking part in MOVEMBER. A initiative to funds for research in male specific diseases and educates the public about men's health issues, such as prostate and testicular cancer, mental health and physical inactivity.
The initiative has been a great success and resulted in some great laughs
Best oral presentation AAD
The annual academic year day (AAD) of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences was held on the 29th of August 2018. In total 17 greats talk were given within the peri-operative track. The quality of the research talks were at an excellent level, while between 80 to 100 people attended the entire track session. 
In addition to sharing knowledge and research findings, a prize for best oral presentation was also up from grabs. Presenters were scored for the introduction, methods, results and discussion slides, as well as for overall presentation style and answering questions. After counting the scores of the independent 4 judges, it be came apparent that Dr Rianhard van Zyl and Johan le Roux of the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery had to share the first prize as they exactly were given the same score.
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Dr van Zyl (r) and Dr le Roux (l) winners of the best oral talk at the AAD
TL-HEX training course
In the week from 13th  to 17th of August the second TL-HEX  training course of the year was given at Tygeberg Hospital. The course is given by Prof Nando Ferreira and as the first course again was a great success. In total a group of 6 orthopaedic surgeons and 2 reps, of which were 4 international, successfully completed the course.
Dr Vuyo Gezengana off to the University of the Free State
After successfully completing his spine fellowship with Dr Johan Davis, Dr Vuyo Gezangana is off to start his new job as head of the spinal unit at the University of Free State. We enjoyed working with him during his fellowship and would like to wish hem all the best in his new position in Bloemfontein
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Dr Gezengana and Prof du Toit
Two more 'Cum Laude' MMed dissertations

Both Dr Elsabe Britz and Dr Maarten Pogieter have received great news this week. They both passed their MMed dissertation assignment with a 'Cum Laude'. This means the combined mark of the 2 examiners needs to be above 75%. Both registrars are currently preparing for their final CMSA exam, while preparing their manuscripts for submission to an international research journals. 
Supporting Mental Health Awareness Day

In line with the world mental health awareness for clinicians, the consultants and registrars of the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, today (1/6/2018)  have been wearing 2 odd socks to work today. With this the division support this global drive to recognize and deal with mental health challenges that clinicians face today.
World Class Research in the Orthopaedic Ward

A great article that focuses on the growth of scientific research within the division
under the guidance of Prof Rob Lamberts and Prof Jacques du Toit takes center stage this year by being in the annual yearbook of the faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of Stellenbosch University.
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Prof R Lamberts (l), Assoc Prof J du Toit (m) & Assoc Prof N Ferreira (r)
March graduation 2018

This year's March graduation of MMed's in ‘Othropaedic Surgery’ at Stellenbosch University will be quite different than in other years. In addition to Dr Delmar Badenhorst (under supervision of Dr Johan Davis) and Dr Yousef Elghawail (under supervision of Dr Ajmal Ikram, Dr Martin Wells and Dr Cameron Anley), Dr Hilgard Muller (†) (under supervision of Prof Rob Lamberts and Dr Naas Terblanche) will receive his degree posthumous. Receiving a degree posthumous, or after passing of the graduate, is extremely rare and even more so when his wife of is accepting the degree on his behalf.

In this time of mixed emotions, we however would like to congratulate Dr Badenhorst and Dr Elghawail with their achievements. In addition, we would to thank Hilgard for everything he has given us, from always looking after his patients to being a great friend and colleague and even sharing some ground-breaking research us.
Orthopaedic Training Courses (now open for registration)

4-8 March 2019
TL-HEX training course

3 - 7 June 2019
TSF training course

12 - 16 August 2019
TL-HEX training course

28 Oct - 1 Nov 2019
TSF training course
Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine
hosted by the
Division of Orthopaedic Surgery
(click here to go to the ISEM website)
TYGERBERG HOSPITAL
ORTHOPAEDIC OUTPATIENT
REFERRAL SYSTEM
(for clinicians only)

WEBSITE DEVELOPED BY PROF RP LAMBERTS

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