Tygerberg Hospital conducts South Africa’s first fully internal bone transport

SOUTH AFRICA—Tygerberg Hospital has achieved a pioneering medical milestone by performing South Africa’s first fully internal bone transport and limb-lengthening reconstruction.

The flagship tertiary facility, operated by the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness in partnership with Stellenbosch University, now joins an elite group of centers worldwide offering this advanced limb salvage technique within the public healthcare sector.

The procedure transformed the life of a 64-year-old former police officer who had endured years of suffering following a severe gunshot injury sustained in 2018.

Despite undergoing multiple surgeries at other facilities, he continued to experience chronic pain, an unhealed fracture, and a significant leg-length difference that severely impacted his daily life.

Professor Nando Ferreira, who led the surgical team, emphasized the significance of this achievement.

The operation demonstrates the remarkable progress South Africa has made in building world-class limb reconstruction capacity within its public healthcare system.

Advanced internal bone transport offers patients who have lived with chronic pain and disability for years a genuine opportunity to regain normal function.

The surgical team faced the complex challenge of reconstructing a 50-millimeter bone defect while correcting a 30-millimeter limb-length discrepancy.

The fully internal device enables surgeons to complete both bone transport and subsequent limb lengthening without relying on external frames.

This approach dramatically improves patient comfort, reduces complication risks, and shortens overall recovery time.

The newly regenerated bone requires approximately 100 days to form, followed by several months of consolidation.

Bone transport, according to the International Centre for Limb Lengthening, grows new bone in regions where sections are missing due to infection, trauma, or disease.

Ferreira noted that his unit was selected as one of only a few centers worldwide to utilize this procedure during its limited market release.

Dr. Edward Fuzy explained how this method allows surgeons to address complex bone loss in a single operation while avoiding many complications associated with traditional approaches.

Tygerberg Hospital CEO Dr. Matodzi Mukosi celebrated the milestone as clear evidence of the institution’s clinical excellence and the power of strong partnerships working together for patient benefit.

The breakthrough represents a significant advancement for vulnerable communities in the Western Cape, particularly those carrying the long-term burden of trauma-related injuries.

This innovation offers a realistic pathway back to work, independence, and improved quality of life for many patients who rely on public healthcare services.