Dr Dlozi Khumalo

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Services includes :

• Spinal decompression
  Spinal decompression can be surgical or non-surgical. A laminectomy and microdiscectomy are two types of surgical spinal decompression procedures. A laminectomy is the extraction of the lamina to create more room in the spinal canal and relieve spinal cord pressure. People who have spinal arthritis are prone to bone spurs. Bone growths inhabit the spinal canal and pressurise the spinal cord. Microdiscectomy is a less invasive surgical procedure that the orthopaedic surgeon performs to treat a herniated lumbar disc. A spinal disc herniates when the soft gelatinous material (nucleus) seeps through an opening in the annulus. Progressive disc degeneration and osteoporosis are factors that increase the risk of a herniated disc. Osteoporosis occurs when honeycomb-like spaces within the bone overlap into one another until a large gap forms. The bone weakens and becomes brittle.
• Spinal fusion
  Spinal fusion alleviates pain. Pain occurs when vertebrae rub against one another. For spinal fusion, the orthopaedic surgeon needs to close the gap between the two vertebrae. To bridge the gap between the vertebrae, Dr Khumalo uses bone or synthetic material. Screws and plates are used to align and secure the vertebrae in place. Spinal fusion requires a bone graft. Bone can be taken from a bone donor or the pelvis.
• Laminoplasty
  Laminoplasty extends the spinal canal and reduces spinal cord pressure. Arthritis, bone spurs, a herniated disc and fractures could be the reason for spinal cord pressure. Dr Khumalo performs a laminoplasty to create more space in the spinal canal. Pain, paralysis and weakness in the legs are signs of a compressed spinal canal. A laminoplasty is also a method that the orthopaedic surgeon uses to access spinal tumours. The lamina is cut into on either side. By cutting into the lamina, the orthopaedic surgeon creates a door that can be pushed back slightly. The door-like structure creates more room in the spinal canal.
• Spine infiltration
  Spine infiltration is a more practical option than oral tablets. The orthopaedic surgeon delivers these injections directly to the painful region. Spine infiltrations take less than twenty minutes and are an outpatient procedure. Dr Khumalo administers a local anaesthetic and gently slides the needle into the spine. After spine infiltration, the patient will require an adequate long-term treatment plan. Dr Khumalo discusses suitable treatment measures at a follow-up consultation.
• Facet rhizotomy
  Small pairs of facet joints run along the spine and join the vertebrae. These building blocks stabilise the spine. Facet joints rest along the spine and are a source of pain when one has back pain. Lumbar facet joints bear the brunt of the weight and are more prone to injury. Facet joints are inundated with spinal nerves which makes it more susceptible to pain. Whereas spine infiltration only provides temporary pain relief, facet rhizotomy is a permanent solution to lower back pain. Facet rhizotomy is performed under local anaesthetic. Through the use of an x-ray, the orthopaedic surgeon uses electrical current to stimulate nerves and locate the surgical site. A surge of power weakens the nerves and inhibits pain.
• Hip replacement
  In the case of severe hip pain as a result of hip arthritis, Dr Khumalo will recommend a hip arthroplasty or a half hip replacement known as hemiarthroplasty. Osteoarthritis and age-related fractures are factors that increase the risk of hip degeneration. Hip osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that frames the joints wears thin. A thin layer of cartilage results in painful friction as the bones rub against one another. This condition can become better with exercise and mild stretching. If left untreated, however, hip osteoarthritis can get worse. Should the condition decline to such an extent where the patient experiences severe pain and hip immobility, a hip replacement will be needed. Dr Khumalo cuts into the upper thigh near the hip joint. As soon as the orthopaedic surgeon accesses the hip joint, he dissects the diseased cartilage and portions of bone. An artificial joint is fitted into the pelvic bone. Dr Khumalo empties the femur and connects the metal base to it. The prosthetic head is fused to the base, and the incisions are sealed.
• Total knee replacement
  Knee arthritis is a condition that occurs when the cartilage that engulfs the joint wear out—thin cartilage results in painful bone friction. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are widespread forms of painful knee arthritis. Because of the space between the bones, the joint is more susceptible to injury and pain. When non-surgical treatments like pain injections and exercises don’t work, Dr Khumalo recommends total knee replacement surgery. Only the damaged surface portion and margin of bone are removed. The orthopaedic surgeon uses metal parts to rebuild the top layer of the joint. Sometimes a plastic cylinder is used to resurface the kneecap. A plastic spacer that rests between the metal parts promotes flexible, smooth movements.
• Arthroscopic knee surgery
  Arthroscopic knee surgery is less invasive than knee arthroplasty and involves a faster recovery. Dr Khumalo uses an instrument called an arthroscope to look inside the knee joint. A camera at the base of the arthroscope sends images of the surgical site to a television screen in the doctor’s room. The orthopaedic surgeon inserts tiny tools into the instrument to disinfect the knee joint, reattach torn ligaments, repair fractures and remove bone spurs. Arthroscopic knee surgery is a quick and reliable alternative to open surgery.
• Arthroscopic shoulder surgery
  Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is a less invasive alternative to open surgery. Before Dr Khumalo performs arthroscopic shoulder surgery, he conducts an extensive physical exam and orders x-rays. Dr Khumalo inserts an arthroscope into the shoulder joint. The camera at the base of the instrument sends pictures of the surgical site to a television screen in the operative room. The orthopaedic surgeon disinfects the joint, reconnects torn ligaments and tendons and dissects bone fragments. Arthroscopic shoulder surgery involves a faster recovery than open surgery.
• Deformity correction
  A limb deformity may occur due to infection, tumours, arthritis, fractures and congenital disabilities. Varying limb length, bow legs, knock knees and neurofibromatosis are common limb malformations. Bowlegs is a condition where the knees fail to meet, even when the ankles touch. Blount’s disease and rickets contribute to the development of bow legs. Knock knee is a condition that occurs when the knees converge, but the ankles fail to meet. Genetics, bone infections and lax knee ligaments increase the risk of knock knees. Dr Khumalo promotes guided growth through minimally invasive surgery. Osteotomy is a procedure that the orthopaedic surgeon performs to realign and straighten bones. Surgery is performed for functional, mechanical or cosmetic reasons.
• Management of nonunion and malunion bone breaks
  Nonunion occurs when the fracture fails to heal completely. After a fracture when the bone heals in the incorrect position, malunion occurs. Loss of function and pain are typical symptoms of nonunion and malunion breaks. Management of nonunion and malunion fractures depends on the cause of the break. Malunion leads to joint deformity, and it's for this reason the orthopaedic surgeon will have to realign the bone in the correct position. For nonunion bone breaks, Dr Khumalo has to treat bone infections, immobilise the area and in some cases, perform a bone graft.
• Management of fractures
  Bones fracture as a result of trauma due to injuries, falls, motor vehicle accidents and osteoporosis. Most people are unsure that they have osteoporosis and only become aware of this when they sustain an injury. A loss of bone volume increases the risk of a fracture. A fracture may either be a compound or stable fracture. An open fracture occurs when a piece of bone protrudes from the skin. A stable fracture is a fracture whereby the bones remain in a fixed position and don't require surgical realignment. Surgery depends on the classification and severity of the fracture. When the bone pierces the skin, Dr Khumalo performs surgery immediately. A cast is used to heal the bones in its correct position.
• Rotator cuff repair
  The rotator cuff comprises of muscles and tendons that connect the humerus to the shoulder. Tendons hold the muscles in place and attach them to the humerus. Dr Khumalo performs rotator cuff repair to fix a damaged tendon. Rotator cuff impingement and bursitis are prevalent rotator cuff injuries. Impingement is due to calcium deposits which pinch the rotator cuff nerves and also, as a result of bone spurs. Shoulder pain and weakness are symptoms of a rotator cuff injury. Dr Khumalo performs both arthroscopic and open surgery to repair a damaged tendon.
• Acromioplasty
  Acromioplasty is a surgery that the orthopaedic surgeon performs to relieve rotator cuff pressure and treat impingement. Arthroscopic acromioplasty is a minimally invasive surgery that involves a faster recovery than conservative surgery. After Dr Khumalo administers a general anaesthetic, he inserts an arthroscope into the shoulder joint. The camera at the end of the device sends images of the operative site to a television screen in the surgical room. The orthopaedic surgeon removes bone spurs close to the supraspinatus tendon.
• Ligament reconstruction or augmentation
  Tendon grafts are used to repair torn ligaments. When a knee ligament tears, the orthopaedic surgeon retrieves healthy tendon from the hamstring or kneecap. An arthroscope is inserted through incisions in the knee. Ligaments may either be reconnected or reconstructed. If there’s insufficient ligament to perform reattachment, the orthopaedic surgeon makes use of a patellar tendon graft. After surgery, Dr Khumalo immobilises the joint.
• Tendon transfers
  A tendon is a sturdy cord that connects muscle to bone. Sometimes both ends of the tendon can be so severely damaged that it cannot be reattached. If the tendon lacks sufficient material to be connected, the orthopaedic surgeon will retrieve a portion of it from another area of the body. Patients who suffer from nerve and muscle injuries, a neuromuscular illness and congenital disability require tendon transfer surgery. Dr Khumalo makes a few incisions in the skin and locates the viable tendon of the functional muscle and attaches it to the tendon that requires reconstruction. The patient wears a splint for two months until the tendon readjusts to its alternative position.
• Medico-legal reports
  Injuries as a result of dog bites, slips, motor vehicle accidents and medical negligence can be costly. Dr Khumalo examines patients thoroughly and formulates comprehensive medico-legal reports. These medico-legal reports are essential for claims against the Road Accident Fund. Also, because of the reports, victims can prove medical negligence and provide evidence in court.