Zuid-Afrikaans Hospital is proud to announce the establishment of a Centre for Limb Reconstruction and Lengthening in October 2007.

Headed by Dr. Franz F. Birkholtz, this unit provides specialized surgery and a dedicated facility and team to support the patients. Ultimately, the goal of the Centre for Limb Reconstruction and Lengthening is the creation of a centre of excellence, fellowship opportunities, research support and university collaboration in this very specialized field. 

Dr. Birkholtz is an orthopaedic surgeon who is passionate about and specializes in limb reconstruction, limb lengthening, deformity correction, non-unions (fractures that do not heal) and orthopaedic trauma. He is one of only a few orthopaedic surgeons in South Africa to perform this very specialized surgery and currently handles a large proportion of all such surgeries performed in the country. He established the Limb Reconstruction Unit at Pretoria Academic Hospital in 2004 and ran it until mid-2006. He regularly attends international courses, workshops and congresses on the subject. 

According to Dr. Birkholtz, limb lengthening and reconstruction techniques can be used to replace missing bone and to lengthen and/or straighten deformed bone segments. These procedures may be performed in both children and adults who have limb length discrepancies due to birth defects, disease or injury. 

Limb reconstruction and lengthening often entails the use of external fixation devices (circular fixators) and it is a time consuming and challenging process for both the patient and surgeon. The process is, however, extremely worthwhile as it can result in a tremendous improvement in a patient’s pain, function, appearance and quality of life. 

Zuid-Afrikaans Hospital is honoured to be home to the Centre for Limb Reconstruction and Lengthening. The hospital has well-equipped theatres, modern radiology services, qualified staff and an excellent standard of care. The gardens provide a wonderful, peaceful healing environment. This is exactly what these patients need to recover on a physical and emotional level. 

For more information Dr. Birkholtz can be contacted on telephone no: 012-644-2641 or visit the website www.reconstructor.co.za