Strand resident regains independence after advanced limb reconstruction
Strand resident Tashinga Skepa during his rehabilitation exercises.
Image: Supplied
Strand resident Tashinga Skepa, 46, is walking independently again following a complex bilateral limb reconstruction procedure that has significantly improved his mobility and daily functioning.
He sustained severe injuries to both legs in a high-impact motor vehicle collision in 2018.
Despite multiple attempts to save his limbs, the extent of the injuries and compromised blood supply led to bilateral above-knee amputations, according to Tygerberg Hospital.
After rehabilitation, he was fitted with conventional prosthetic limbs. However, as a bilateral above-knee amputee, mobility remained physically demanding, and he continued to rely on crutches for assistance with walking and other daily activities.
He has now undergone a bilateral osseointegration procedure at Tygerberg Hospital, after which he is able to walk independently without crutches.
Skepa said, "I'm still in the healing process, but I can feel that I will be totally fine in the next few weeks. I am so grateful to the teams that were involved in this procedure. This made a significant difference in my daily life as it improved my independence and mobility."
Skepa was referred from Mediclinic Stellenbosch to Tygerberg Hospital as part of a collaborative limb reconstruction programme involving Tygerberg Hospital, Stellenbosch University, and the Institute of Orthopaedics and Rheumatology in Stellenbosch.
Tygerberg Hospital spokesperson Laticia Pienaar said the case reflected the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness’ commitment to person-centred care and the value of structured partnerships between public, private, academic, and rehabilitation services in expanding access to specialised care.
Professor Nando Ferreira, head of the limb reconstruction unit in the division of orthopaedic surgery at Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, said: “Partnerships such as this allow us to responsibly expand access to highly specialised procedures within the public health system, while ensuring strong clinical governance and careful patient selection.”
The Tygerberg–Stellenbosch platform has developed capacity in osseointegration over several years.
The hospital said Professor Ferreira previously performed South Africa’s first osseointegration procedure, helping introduce the technique into the local public healthcare system.
Dr Franz Birkholtz, an orthopaedic limb reconstruction specialist at Mediclinic Winelands Orthopaedic Hospital and the Institute of Orthopaedics and Rheumatology, later established South Africa’s first dedicated osseointegration service, known as Team Osseo Stellies, also referred to as the Stellenbosch Osseointegration Centre.
Following international collaboration, the programme developed into a structured multidisciplinary service with rehabilitation support for patients before and after surgery.
Pre-operative radiograph with bilateral above-knee socket prostheses
Image: Supplied
The bilateral procedure was performed at Tygerberg Hospital by Dr Birkholtz and Professor Ferreira, with support from an international surgical team from Erasmus University Medical Center.
Skepa underwent surgery in which custom-designed titanium implants were inserted into both femurs at the same time. The procedure required careful planning and close coordination between the surgical teams.
“This case demonstrates what can be achieved when expertise is shared across sectors in a structured and responsible manner,” said Dr Birkholtz.
The procedure was completed successfully, and Skepa’s initial recovery was reported as uncomplicated.
Following discharge, Skepa entered a structured rehabilitation programme led by Team Osseo Stellies at the Institute of Orthopaedics and Rheumatology.