Keep more of your own knee. Get back to what you love, sooner.
If your knee pain is limited to one side of the joint, a partial knee replacement may be an option — a smaller operation than a full knee replacement, with a faster recovery. Dr CR Oosthuizen has focused on this procedure for more than 30 years in Johannesburg.
LWH
& Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital
Dr Christiaan Rudolf OosthuizenMBChB (Stellenbosch) · MMed Orthopaedics (Pretoria) · PhD (Wits)
Meet your surgeon.
Dr Christiaan Rudolf Oosthuizen has been an orthopaedic surgeon in private practice in Johannesburg for more than 35 years. He treats knee, hip and back problems, and has a particular focus on partial knee replacement — an operation designed to keep as much of your natural knee as possible.
Read full biographyThe KOGS Grading System.
KOGS (the Knee Osteoarthritis Grading System) is the method Dr Oosthuizen uses to work out how far your knee arthritis has progressed — and whether a partial knee replacement or a full knee replacement is the better fit for you.
Early wear — treated without surgery: physiotherapy, weight and posture correction, injections.
Wear on one side of the knee only — usually the best time for a partial knee replacement.
Wear starting to spread across the knee — full replacement or a staged plan is considered.
Severe arthritis with bowing of the leg — a full knee replacement is usually needed.
Johannesburg Surgical Hospital
Partial knee replacement — resurface only what's worn.
When arthritis is limited to one part of the knee, a partial knee replacement (also called a UKA) replaces just that surface. Your bone, ligaments and healthy cartilage stay in place — so the knee still feels like your own, the scar is smaller, and most patients are back on their feet much sooner than after a full knee replacement.
Partial vs full knee replacementDecades of hands-on knee surgery and ongoing research.
Dr Oosthuizen has spent his career in private practice while also publishing research on partial knee replacement — how to choose the right patients and how to get the best long-term results.
Academic Footprint
- 30+Years in private orthopaedic practice.
- 20+Published research papers on partial knee replacement.
- 1Textbook written on partial knee replacement: The UKA.
Ready to talk about your knee?
Orthopaedic emergencies outside consulting hours
If you experience an orthopaedic emergency outside of consulting hours, please report immediately to the Casualty Department at either Johannesburg Surgical Hospital (JSH) or Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital for assessment and treatment. The casualty doctors will provide the necessary emergency care and arrange specialist orthopaedic referral if required.