Tibia Osseointegration

There’s something unforgettable about watching someone take their first steps again. For our first osseointegration patient, those steps came after months of preparation, collaboration, and surgical innovation.

This patient underwent a tibial osseointegration procedure. A direct skeletal implant was placed into the lower leg at Mediclinic Winelands Orthopaedic Hospital in collaboration with Dr. Oscar van Waes, MD, PhD from Erasmus MC. The tibia presents unique biomechanical demands, requiring absolute precision in implant positioning and loading strategy.

The benefits are undeniable. For this patient, who had endured years of discomfort and instability with a conventional socket prosthesis, this procedure offered a long-overdue return to mobility, comfort, and control.

Recovery was guided by Lenka Uys from the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport, who oversaw a structured loading and rehabilitation programme. Osseointegration is not a “fit and forget” procedure. It is a progressive journey that requires commitment, discipline, and expert oversight.

Fitting the prosthesis is an art in itself. We were fortunate to be joined by Tom Langenhuyzen, an experienced prosthetist from the Netherlands. Working alongside the patient’s personal prosthetist, Eugene Rossouw, the team adjusted and aligned the limb with precision and care.