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My Son was admitted with a very rare autoimmune illness in April this year. The care he was given was superb Prof Dheda, Prof Louw and their team of specialists covered every possibility , diagnosed efficiently and treated effectively. There was time taken to explain everything. The Hospital Matron made allowances for me to spend as much as possible time with my son and also allowed for frequent visits from close family. Mr Daniel Mathew the Hospital General manager is very approachable and interested . The staff was friendly and helpful. Basically every one from reception through admin to ICU was friendly and helpful. I Highly recommend this hospital
Overall I had a good experience.
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Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that occurs most before puberty during the growth spurt. Most cases of scoliosis are mild. However, it can get more severe, particularly as children grow. People with severe scoliosis may need surgery to treat their condition. Scoliosis surgery is the most extensive type of treatment for scoliosis. Besides for those with severe scoliosis, surgery may also be considered if:
The curve is getting significantly worse.
The curve is greater than 40 degrees.
The curve is interrupting your daily life and causes discomfort.
You experience severe back pain.
Other treatments have not helped your condition.
The nerves in your spine are being squashed or irritated.
There are several types of scoliosis surgery, including spinal fusion, growing systems (insertion of special rods), and fusion-less. The type of surgery you will get usually depends on your age and the severity of your scoliosis.
Spinal Fusion
Spinal fusion is by far the most commonly performed scoliosis surgery for teenagers and adults. This surgery involves fusing two or more adjacent vertebrae (the small, interlocking bones of the spine) together, which will cause the vertebrae to grow together at the spinal joint and form a solid bone that cannot move independently. This will limit the movement of your spine.
The vertebrae are fused together using a bone graft, screws, and rods. The rods keep your spine in a straight position, while the screws hold them in place. The bone graft and vertebrae eventually fuse together into a single bone. The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia.
Fusion-less
Fusionless surgery is a relatively new approach to treating scoliosis. As opposed to spinal fusion, which limits movement and growth, fusion-less can preserve the movement and growth of your spine and this type of surgery is usually done on children.
Fusionless surgery involves applying constant pressure on the outer side of a spinal curve. It aims to slow or even stop the growth of the curve’s outer side, while the inner side can continue to grow normally. Over time, the lateral curvature should reduce as the spine becomes straighter.
Growing system (special rods)
In younger children, generally those under the age of 10, surgery to insert special rods alongside the spine can be done. The rods are anchored to the spine to help maintain or correct the spine’s curvature while the child grows. After 6 to 12 months, the child needs to return to their specialist to have the rods lengthened to keep up with their growth. This can be done in two ways:
Through a minor surgery in which the rods are extended through a small incision in the back.
Using a remote control that can activate magnets inside the rods. With this procedure, no cuts are needed to lengthen the rods.
This type of surgery is done in young children because if spinal fusion is done at too young of an age, it could cause several complications, such as less room for the lungs to develop.
Although it depends on the type of surgery you underwent, you may need to stay in the hospital for two to seven days. Children may need to stay longer, usually for 10 days. It is recommended that you stay in Cape Town for about eight to ten more days for follow-up checkups and stitches removal.
Full recovery can take about three to six months. However, school and work may be resumed after 4 to 6 weeks. Children may need to avoid sports roughly a year after surgery, while adults may need to avoid strenuous activities for a few months.
After surgery, you may need to wear a brace to keep your spine in proper alignment. You may also need to learn new techniques to sit, stand, and walk safely. Physical rehabilitation is recommended to help you learn ways to move safely and to strengthen your back.
Spinal fusion surgery has a high overall success rate. The University of Washington’s Department of Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine reported that spinal fusion can achieve approximately 70% curve correction and has around 2 to 3% chances of complications when performed on someone under 16 with idiopathic scoliosis. However, the data for fusion-less surgery is not yet available.
As with any surgery, scoliosis surgery carries some risks, such as infection, pain, nerve damage, failure to heal, and excessive bleeding.
If the scoliosis isn’t severe, your doctor may recommend the following:
Exercise – you can talk to a healthcare professional about an exercise program to strengthen and stretch your back.
Spinal injections – if scoliosis irritates or puts pressure on the nerves, your doctor may inject steroids to temporarily ease your discomfort.
Back braces – these are usually recommended for children, although adults may also benefit from using them. A back brace can help support your back and stop it from getting worse.
Before scoliosis surgery, your scoliosis can be severe, cause pain, or prevent you from doing your normal activities. After surgery, you should be able to enjoy your daily activities without discomfort or pain.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa and is also known as the Mother City. It is the oldest city in the country and home to the Parliament of South Africa and is a major destination for immigrants and expatriates, making it one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Located on the shore of Table Bay, the city is known for its harbor, natural setting, as well as famous attractions and many tourists, visit to enjoy Table Mountain and Cape Point.
Recently, tourists also come to the city for its medical tourism. Many groundbreaking procedures and medical research in South Africa, such as the world’s first penile transplant, have put Cape Town under the radar of medical tourists from all around the globe. Thanks to its world-class healthcare and world-renowned medical practitioners, more and more people now prefer Cape Town as their medical destination. The healthcare in the city is among the best on the African continent. Other reasons such as shorter waiting times for surgeries, state-of-the-art equipment, and affordable healthcare compared to Europe and the United States, and English-speaking doctors.
Cape Town is a natural beauty that offers a wide range of things to do and see. From culture, food, art, to nature. Listed below are some of the more popular places in the city:
Cape Town enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate. The summer is dry and warm, lasting from early December to March. The average maximum temperature during this season is around 26 °C, and the minimum is 16 °C. The Berg Wind that arrives from February to early March can make the city uncomfortably hot for a couple of weeks.
The winter starts in June and ends in August and the season is characterized by mild and wet weather. The city also experiences strong north-westerly winds during this season. The average temperature ranges between 8.5 °C at the lowest and 18 °C at the highest.
The primary airport that serves Cape Town is the Cape Town International Airport and it is the second busiest airport in South Africa and the fifth busiest in Africa. The airport serves direct domestic flights to major cities and several small centers in the country. It also connects the country with major cities in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. It is the hub for South African Express as well as budget airlines such as Mango and FlySafair.
There are several types of taxis: the metered taxis, Rikkis Taxis, and minibus taxis. The metered taxis can be a little expensive but are usually comfortable. Tourists can order one via a phone call or from one of the city’s official taxi stands. Tourists should always choose reputable taxi companies such as Marine Taxi, Unicab, Excite, and SA Cab.
Rikkis Taxis are painted yellow and very popular and these taxis run on a fixed fare rather than metered, so they are a little more affordable than metered taxis and a good option if you are traveling on longer journeys. Other than the Rikkis Taxis, tourists can choose the minibus taxis which are perfect for adventurous foreign travelers. The minibus taxis can be found practically everywhere and are very cheap, however, you will need to know exactly where your destination is and tell the driver when to stop. Another travel option is the MyCiTi bus, a modernized and effective bus system.
There are more than 60 countries listed in the visa exemption agreements, which means the citizens of these countries can stay in South Africa for up to 90 days. Other countries not listed must obtain a valid visa to enter the country. A Medical Treatment Visa is available for medical tourists. Note that all visitors must hold a passport valid for at least 30 days after the expiration of their intended visit.