ABOUT DR DIRK VAN DER SPUY
Dr Dirk van der Spuy is a Specialist Upper Limb and Orthopaedic Hand Surgeon in Cape Town, with a special interest in nerve surgery, soft tissue reconstruction, brachial plexus surgery and congenital hand deformities. He completed his pre-and-post graduate training at the University of Stellenbosch. Subsequently, he enrolled in a fellowship in Hand & Peripheral Nerve Surgery at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, Australia, under the renowned congenital hand surgeon, Professor Michael Tonkin. He also completed further training in microsurgical techniques and upper limb soft-tissue reconstruction.
HAND SURGEONS HAVE RECEIVED SPECIALISED TRAINING IN THE TREATMENT OF HAND PROBLEMS BEYOND THEIR BOARD-CERTIFIED SPECIALITY TRAINING IN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY, PLASTIC SURGERY OR GENERAL SURGERY.
Being an Orthopaedic Hand Surgeon, Dr van der Spuy is trained to reconstruct all anatomical structures to salvage the appendage: tendons, muscle, ligaments, nerves and bone. Hand surgeons are trained to handle complex fractures of the hand and injuries to the carpal bones that alter the mechanics of the wrist. The field of hand surgery deals with both surgical and non-surgical treatment of conditions that may occur in the hand or upper extremity (commonly from the tip of the hand to the shoulder), including injury and infection.
Dr van der Spuy performs a wide variety of operations such as fracture fixations, tendon releases, transfers and repairs, and reconstructive procedures for rheumatoid deformities and congenital defects. He also performs microsurgical re-attachment of amputated digits and limbs, microsurgical reconstruction of soft tissues, bones and nerves, as well as surgery to improve function in paralysed upper limbs.
Dr Dirk van der Spuy practices at the Mediclinic Constantiaberg in the Southern Suburbs and at the Advanced Health Harbour Bay Surgical Centre in Simonstown. He also has a practice in Windhoek, Namibia which he travels to every two months.
Dr van der Spuy and his team aim to provide a warm, friendly environment with world-class service for their patients: a unique service that endeavours to help patients swiftly return to the activities they enjoy the most.
In addition, Dr van der Spuy is the Founder and CEO of iMedprac, a niche Practice Management Consulting service assisting specialists with the streamlined setup of their new practice as well as the revitalisation of struggling practices (imedprac.co.za). Please refer to his CV for further qualification and research activity information.
