Orthopedic Surgery and Procedures

Introduction

Orthopedic surgery is performed by our panel of orthopedic surgeons and specialists who are trained to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. The goal is often to restore function, reduce pain, and improve quality of life for patients, whether through minimally invasive techniques or more involved surgical procedures.

Here are some common types of orthopedic surgeries that can be combined with a luxury recovery safari or tour:

Arthroscopy

Arthroscopic Surgery: A minimally invasive procedure that involves inserting a small camera (arthroscope) into a joint to diagnose and treat problems. It’s commonly used for joint issues in the knee, shoulder, hip, and ankle.
Knee Arthroscopy: Often performed to repair torn cartilage, remove damaged tissue, or treat knee ligament injuries.
Shoulder Arthroscopy: Used to address rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability, or joint degeneration.

Joint Replacement Surgery

Hip Replacement: Also known as hip arthroplasty, this surgery replaces a damaged hip joint with an artificial one, often due to arthritis or injury.
Knee Replacement: Also known as knee arthroplasty, this procedure replaces a damaged knee joint with a prosthetic implant, typically performed for severe arthritis or knee injuries.
Shoulder Replacement: Replacing the shoulder joint with a prosthesis due to arthritis or injury.
Ankle Replacement: Involves replacing a damaged ankle joint with an artificial one.

Spinal Surgery

Spinal Fusion: A procedure where two or more vertebrae are permanently joined together to prevent movement and provide stability. It’s commonly performed for conditions like degenerative disc disease or scoliosis.
Laminectomy: The removal of part of a vertebra (the lamina) to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, often done for conditions like spinal stenosis.
Discectomy: Removal of part or all of a herniated disc that is pressing on the nerves in the spine.
Spinal Decompression: Involves removing tissue or bone around the spine to relieve pressure on nerves, often done for conditions like herniated discs.

Fracture Surgery

Fracture Repair: Surgery to realign and stabilize broken bones using screws, plates, rods, or pins. This is often needed for complex fractures or fractures that don’t heal well on their own.
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF): A surgical procedure where a fractured bone is first repositioned and then held in place with internal hardware like screws or plates.

Ligament and Tendon Repair

ACL Reconstruction: A surgery to repair or reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee, often done after an injury during sports.
Rotator Cuff Repair: Surgical repair of torn tendons in the shoulder that are critical for arm movement.
Achilles Tendon Repair: A procedure to repair a torn Achilles tendon, often following sports injuries or trauma.

Osteotomy

Osteotomy involves cutting and reshaping bones to improve alignment or relieve pain. This can be done in the knee, hip, or other joints, often in younger patients who have arthritis or deformities but aren’t yet candidates for joint replacement.

Hand and Wrist Surgery

Carpal Tunnel Release: A surgery to relieve pressure on the median nerve in the wrist, often done for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Tendon Repair: Surgical repair of injured tendons in the hand, wrist, or fingers.
Joint Replacement in Fingers: This can be done in cases of severe arthritis or joint damage in the hands.

Foot and Ankle Surgery

Bunionectomy: Removal of a bunion (a bony bump on the big toe joint) and realignment of the bones in the foot.
Ankle Fusion: A procedure to fuse bones in the ankle joint to provide pain relief and stability in patients with arthritis or severe injury.
Achilles Tendon Repair: Surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery

Focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal issues in children, including congenital deformities, scoliosis, and fractures that may need surgical intervention.
Clubfoot Correction: Surgical correction of clubfoot, a condition where the foot is twisted out of shape or position at birth.
Hip Dysplasia Surgery: Surgery to treat hip dysplasia, a condition where the hip socket doesn’t fully cover the ball portion of the upper thigh bone.

Sports Medicine Surgery

These surgeries aim to treat injuries commonly seen in athletes or active individuals. It includes ACL repairs, tendon injuries, and cartilage issues that are prevalent in high-intensity sports.

Bone Tumor Surgery

Excision of Bone Tumors: Surgical removal of benign or malignant bone tumors.
Limb Salvage Surgery: In cases of bone cancer, this procedure removes the tumor and reconstructs the affected bone to preserve limb function.

Why South Africa is a Top Destination for Orthopaedic Surgery?

• Internationally Accredited Surgeons & Hospitals
  Many South African orthopaedic surgeons are fellowship-trained in the US, UK, or Europe.
  Leading hospitals (e.g., Netcare, Mediclinic, Life Healthcare) have JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation.
• Cost-Effective Compared to Western Countries
  Hip Replacement: R250,000 – R400,000 (vs. $40,000+ in the US).
  Knee Replacement: R200,000 – R350,000 (vs. $35,000+ in the US).
  Arthroscopic Surgery: R80,000 – R150,000 (vs. $15,000+ in the US).
• Cutting-Edge Technology & Techniques
  Robotic-assisted joint replacements (e.g., MAKO Robotic-Arm).
  Minimally invasive spine surgery.
  Advanced rehabilitation & physiotherapy programs.
• Medical Tourism: Combining Surgery with a Safari.

Many international patients opt for:

✔ Pre-surgery relaxation in Cape Town or Kruger.
✔ Post-op recovery in luxury lodges with private nurses.
✔ Safari tours tailored for mobility-friendly travel.

Recovery & Rehabilitation in South Africa

In-Hospital Recovery
3–7 days for joint replacements.
1–2 days for minor arthroscopic procedures.
Post-Op Rehabilitation Options

Luxury recovery retreats 
Safari lodges with medical support (e.g., Singita, Sabi Sands).
Physiotherapy centers and luxury retreats with hydrotherapy pools.
Combining Recovery with a luxury Safari at one of our destination partners.
Private game lodges offer accessible accommodations.
Guided tours with minimal walking (vehicle-based safaris).
On-call medical assistance in major reserves.

Recommended Safari Destinations for Recovery
Kruger National Park (https://www.secretsviptravel.com/safari-lodges-south-africa/).
Cape Winelands (Scenic, relaxed recovery).

Final Tips for Medical Tourists

✔ Plan surgery & safari together with Secrets VIP for seamless recovery.
✔ Choose JCI-accredited hospitals for safety.
✔ Consult our medical safari desk for logistics.

For patients seeking top-tier orthopaedic care while enjoying an unforgettable African adventure, South Africa is the perfect destination. By combining advanced orthopaedic care with a once-in-a-lifetime safari, patients can heal in one of the most beautiful settings in the world.