Orthopaedic Centre

Head: Mr I.L. Wilkinson (Chief Orthotist/Prosthetist)

Ian Wilkinson started his training at Johannesburg Hospital in 1957 and completed the course at a private firm in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. During 1965 he formed the Government Orthopaedic Centre in Harare.

Some years later he was sent on a study course to Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton, UK, followed by an International course in Prosthetics and Orthotics by World Health held in Denmark, and later at Mrs Otto Bach, Düderstad, Germany.

In 1976 he was promoted to Chief-in-Charge at his place of work in Harare. He returned to South Africa during 1981 where he joined the Johannesburg Hospital's Orthopaedic Centre from where he transferred to Hillbrow Hospital.

Ian now works at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital where he runs the busy Orthopaedic Centre.

Overview of the Centre

The centre opened in 1948 with a staff of 3, but is now one of the largest centres in the country, with a staff compliment of 16. It provides a service to 6 other outlying hospitals, the SA Cripple Care Association and the Soweto Community Health Centres. Orthopaedic specialist clinics eg Cripple Care, are held in the centre during the week.

The unit is a registered training centre for students training as Prothetists/Orthotist. An Orthotist and Prosthetist is a highly specialised and skilled member of the medical team, who deals with measuring, designing, manufacturing and fitment of products, to support or replace a part of the human body. This centre is responsible for the supply of Prosthetics (artificial limbs) Orthotics (orthopaedic appliances) and surgical footwear. The unit handles approximately 10'000 patients per year.

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