Introduction

Dr Kirsten runs a private orthopaedic surgery service at Mediclinic Louis Leipoldt, Bellville, Western Cape since 1999. He works on upper limb problems and has established the arthroscopic shoulder surgery setup at this hospital shortly after he started his practice.

As an extension of his services he is involved in the Shoulder and Elbow unit at the Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Bellville.

 He qualified as a medical doctor through the University of Pretoria in 1987 and has been involved in arthroscopic work since his appointment in orthopaedic surgery at 2 Military Hospital, Cape Town in 1992. During his post graduate rotation hand and shoulder surgery compiled the greater part of his training and he qualified as an orthopaedic surgeon through the University of Stellenbosch in 1998.

His special interests are:

• Fractures and dislocations of the upper limb including sports and work related injuries
• Ligament injuries or instability of joints of the upper limb
• Degenerative (wear and tear) conditions and arthritis of the upper limb
• Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow and wrist
• Reconstructive surgery of the shoulder, elbow and wrist
• Arthroplasty (prosthetic replacement) of the shoulder and elbow
• Nerve and tendon conditions of the upper limb

One must guard against working in isolation and therefore he finds great value for continued professional development in:

• Meetings and workshops on international and local level. Read more.
• Work with colleagues on case studies and operations on a monthly basis
• Small group meetings on shoulder and elbow cases on monthly basis
• Literature study to support these meetings
• Personal communication with and visits to internationally acclaimed surgeons

Pain in the shoulder, elbow, wrist or arm impairs quality of life and sleep and limits activities of daily living, sports and work. Non operative treatment is employed where appropriate before surgery is considered.

Internationally tested (outcome based) approaches to and techniques for diagnosis, medical treatment, surgery and rehabilitation are followed by Dr Kirsten.