Revolutionary bone transport procedure offers new hope for patients at Tygerberg Hospital

Tygerberg Hospital has made national medical history by performing South Africa's first fully internal bone transport and limb-lengthening reconstruction.

This complex limb salvage technique, conducted in partnership with Stellenbosch University (SU), is the only one of its kind performed in the country, spanning both the public and private sectors. The hospital is now one of only a few centres globally capable of offering this advanced procedure within a public healthcare setting.

Tygerberg Hospital is known as a flagship tertiary facility of the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness (WCDHW).

The patient, a 64-year-old former police officer, had lived with the long-term consequences of a severe gunshot injury sustained in 2018.

Despite multiple surgeries elsewhere, he continued to struggle with chronic pain, an unhealed fracture, and a substantial difference in leg length that affected his quality of life.

According to the WCDHW, surgeons reconstructed a 50 mm bone defect and corrected a 30 mm limb-length discrepancy.

It said that the fully internal device allows surgeons to complete both bone transport and subsequent limb lengthening without external frames, improving comfort, reducing complication risks, and shortening recovery.

Professor Nando Ferreira reflected on the significance of the achievement. "This operation demonstrates how far we have come in building world-class limb reconstruction capacity within the South African public sector.

"For patients who have lived for years with chronic pain and disability, advanced internal bone transport offers a genuine second chance at normal function.

"Our unit was selected as one of only a few centres worldwide to use this procedure during its limited market release. This level of innovation reflects the strength of our surgical team, our academic partnership, and our commitment to delivering patient-centred care at an international standard."

Dr Edward Fuzy explained the clinical benefits and detailed how this method allows them to tackle complex bone loss in a single operation while avoiding many of the complications of traditional approaches.

Tygerberg Hospital CEO, Dr Matodzi Mukosi, welcomed the milestone as evidence of the institution's excellence: "This breakthrough highlights the incredible talent and innovation within our hospital. It shows what is possible when clinical excellence and strong partnerships work together for our patients."

WCDHW said advanced trauma and limb reconstruction services play a vital role in helping residents live well by restoring mobility, dignity, and independence. "The skills developed through this procedure could strengthen orthopaedic care for children who start life with congenital limb differences or experience early trauma, helping them start well," it added.

"Older adults, who are increasingly vulnerable to injury and complex fractures, could benefit from safer surgical innovation that helps them age well with greater confidence and mobility. Achievements like this are only possible because the provincial health system continues to run well through strong governance, academic partnerships, and the commitment of clinicians who serve the 85 percent of residents who rely on public healthcare."

The newly regenerated bone is expected to form over roughly 100 days, followed by several months of consolidation. The case has already drawn international attention, underscoring the province's growing leadership in surgical innovation and patient-centred care.

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