A team at Tygerberg Hospital has completed South Africa’s first fully internal bone transport and limb-lengthening reconstruction.
According to Western Cape Government, the Fitbone Transport Nail rebuilt a 50 mm femoral defect and corrected a 30 mm leg-length difference in a 64-year-old former police officer who was shot in 2018.
Surgeons from Stellenbosch University’s Limb Reconstruction Unit led the operation.
Dr Edward Fuzy said the technique treats bone defects and length discrepancy in a single operation, removes the need for external frames and reduces common complications.
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He said new bone should form over about 100 days, followed by several months of consolidation.
Professor Nando Ferreira described the milestone as proof of growing limb reconstruction capacity in the public sector.
‘This operation demonstrates how far we have come in building world-class limb reconstruction capacity within the South African public sector, he said.
‘For patients who have lived for years with chronic pain and disability, advanced internal bone transport offers a genuine second chance at normal function,’ he added.
Tygerberg Hospital CEO Dr Matodzi Mukosi welcomed the result as evidence of clinical excellence and strong partnerships that benefit vulnerable communities.
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness said the case has drawn international attention and could strengthen orthopaedic care across the province.
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Picture: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences / Facebook
