Page 25 - Waterfall City Issue 7 July 2025

in Midrand, this process begins with a based protocols to guide informed recovery or prophylactically. At the
comprehensive consultation led by a return-to-play decisions,” he notes. same time, the podiatrist prescribes
sports medicine physician or sometimes custom orthotics or recommends
an appointment with a biokineticist, Yet, concussion care is only one aspect sport-specific footwear to optimise
physiotherapist or podiatrist. Advanced of the centre’s advanced capabilities. foot function. Lauren Brown points out,
tools such as MRI and ultrasound reveal From cutting-edge imaging and “Poor foot alignment is like misaligned
soft tissue damage, while gait analysis biomechanical assessments to wheels – it causes uneven wear and
– combining force plate data with minimally invasive treatments and inefficiency. Addressing this early helps
video – helps identify hidden alignment rehabilitation technologies, the centre prevent injuries down the road.”
problems. This is akin to checking the offers comprehensive, high-tech care
car’s wheel alignment and suspension addressing every facet of health, Bringing it all together
for subtle misalignments that could mobility and performance. Waterfall Sports Orthopaedic Surgery
prematurely wear down tyres or reduce offers a fully integrated model where
handling. From diagnosis to treatment: the specialised team collaborates
A tailored plan closely, often with other healthcare
The biokineticist then assesses muscle Once a diagnosis is made, a professionals. Patient cases are
strength and balance using Cybex personalised treatment plan is crafted reviewed in multi-disciplinary team
isokinetic testing, quantifying joint for each patient. This might involve conferences, refining diagnoses and
torque to pinpoint areas of weakness building muscular strength, correcting treatment plans. This unified approach
or imbalance. “It’s like testing the alignment, or rehabilitating after injury is like a pit crew working together to
horsepower of each cylinder in an to ensure a safe and timely return to get a race car back on track as quickly
engine. For optimal performance, peak performance. and safely as possible.
each muscle must work in harmony,”
Professor Patricios adds. The sports physician oversees this Cutting-edge technologies also aid
multidisciplinary process, applying recovery: anti-gravity treadmills
Working closely with other evidence-based strategies that allow graduated rehabilitation by
healthcare specialists combine conservative management, reducing body weight during running,
Lauren Brown highlights the close physiotherapy, biokinetics, and preventing overload. Shockwave
collaboration with specialists such as sometimes minimally invasive therapy and image-guided injections
orthopaedic surgeons: “We often get treatments such as platelet-rich plasma promote tissue repair with minimal
referrals from specialists who would, for (PRP) injections. “Our goal is to optimise downtime. “Technology gives us the
example, say, ‘This patient will ultimately recovery and function using the most tools to care for every ‘component’ of
need a knee replacement, but let’s try suitable methods for each case, whether the human body with precision,” says
to delay that for as long as possible.’ that involves rehabilitation alone or, Professor Patricios.
We are also asked to help rehabilitate when necessary, surgical intervention,”
patients following surgery. Our job is to explains Professor Patricios. Why this matters
ease discomfort, help strengthen where There are only about 20 sports
needed and improve mobility. Then Physiotherapists focus on relieving pain medicine specialists in South Africa,
we set out to work – optimising every and restoring movement, protecting and the demand for their expertise is
aspect of function to keep patients the muscles and connective tissues rapidly growing as more individuals
moving well for as long as possible.” that absorb shock and provide stability, seek expert care for injury treatment
much like a vehicle’s suspension. They and prevention. Professor Patricios
Concussion care: A critical create progressive programmes to says, “Our goal is to keep athletes and
focus rebuild flexibility and strength, helping active people moving safely for life, not
Professor Patricios is highly regarded athletes handle training stresses just patch up injuries.”
for his expertise in concussion without losing balance. Biokinetics
management, which is a key then takes over to strengthen the Viewing the human body, whether
component in sports medicine and patient further, guiding them back that of an athlete or an everyday
a core aspect of the centre’s work. to their performance level through person, as a complex machine with
“Concussions are complex injuries targeted exercises. interconnected systems allows sports
that require careful assessment and science to offer holistic, effective care.
management. At Netcare Waterfall The orthotists, on the other hand, are It’s about tuning every part – engine,
City Hospital, we don’t just treat the responsible for prescribing braces suspension, and wheels to work
obvious injuries, we prioritise brain that support and protect injured or seamlessly for lasting performance and
health and safety, using evidence- vulnerable areas and structures during health.

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