Busamed Private Hospital in Paardevlei, Somerset West, has marked a significant milestone in local health care by performing its first cementless robotic knee replacement surgery. Dr Koos Jordaan, a leading orthopaedic surgeon specialising in hip and knee replacements, led the groundbreaking procedure on Wednesday 5 February.
Jordaan, who joined Dr Jan-Louis van den Berg as part of the specialist arthroplasty team at Busamed, is a highly experienced surgeon with a strong background in academic medicine. He previously led the Stellenbosch University Unit for 10 years and worked at Tygerberg Hospital, gaining extensive experience with robotic surgery systems since 2018. He joined Busamed in August 2024 and has been instrumental in training the Busamed Paardevlei Private Hospital theatre team on the new technology.
While robotic surgery is not new, Jordaan emphasised the unique capabilities of the systems at Busamed. “We are all different, and robotic surgery allows us to personalise the procedure, adjusting alignments for each patient,” he explained. Jordaan highlighted the benefits of increased accuracy (up to half a millimetre), reduced soft tissue injury risk, and faster patient recovery. “It allows me as a surgeon to do operations accurately, consistently, and time-efficiently.”
Busamed has invested in two robotic systems, the Mako Stryker and CORI, for various orthopaedic applications, including hip and knee procedures. Jordaan has expertise in using the Mako Stryker system at Busamed, having served as a trainer for three years. He also operates weekly at Tygerberg Hospital, further demonstrating his expertise.
“Busamed has made a commitment to provide the best service, and part of that is acquiring these robotic systems,” Jordaan stated. He stressed that the technology is not a marketing tool, but a valuable asset to enhance patient care. “The benefit is for the patient. We provide the ability to walk again and have a good quality of life.”
The robot’s haptic feedback feature provides safe boundaries during the procedure, physically preventing surgical errors. This, coupled with the increased precision, minimises risks and eases anxiety for the patient.
Jan Reyneke, the patient undergoing the first Mako Stryker robotic knee replacement at Busamed, expressed a mix of excitement and nervousness before the operation. “I’m confident it will be a success, and I think it will be life changing for me.” He also noted the appeal of a quicker recovery time.
Jordaan acknowledged the hard work involved in bringing new advanced technology to Busamed and praised management’s commitment to providing cutting-edge care. He affirmed that South Africa is on par with global standards in knee surgery and encouraged patients to consult with their doctors about the available options. “Go and see your doctor, we are among the best, and with this technology even better.”
About the Mako Stryker
It all starts with a CT scan that creates a 3D image of the patient’s unique anatomy. This information that a surgeon has never had before allows them to create a patient’s plan and assess and balance the joint. The Mako assists in ensuring a more accurately-placed knee replacement, with less bone and soft-tissue damage, which leads to earlier recovery for the patient.
