KNEE
ARTHROSCOPY
An arthroscopy is a minor, surgical procedure that requires only 2-3 small cuts, and the insertion of a small camera that allows us to see inside the joints of the knee, and identify possible conditions. You’ll be asleep throughout the procedure.
KNEE JOINT
REPLACEMENT
This involves removing only the damaged surfaces of your knee (the end of your thigh bone, the femur, and the top of your shin bone, the tibia) and replacing them with metal and plastic pieces, which fit together to mimic the natural movement of the knee.
ACL
SURGERY
This surgical procedure for knee joints will help relieve pain and restore function. Reconstruction of an ACL involves replacing the torn ligament usually with part of the hamstring, from behind the knee or sometimes part of the patellar tendon or quadriceps tendon.
TOTAL HIP JOINT
REPLACEMENT
A hip joint replacement involves removing the damaged bone, replacing the head of the femur and re-lining the hip socket. The type of replacement or components used will depend on the degree of damage to the joint surface.
Dr Peter Hardcastle
Dr Hardcastle focuses on knee joint replacements, knee arthroscopies, patellofemoral disorders, Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstructions, total hip joint replacements and general orthopaedic trauma surgery
Peter completed his undergraduate MBChB degree in 2005 at Stellenbosch University, and later went on to finish his internship and community service at George Provincial Hospital. In 2013, he finished his MMED in orthopaedic surgery and in the same year qualified at the College of Orthopaedic Surgeons of South Africa (FC Orth (SA)).
He furthered his studies with a 12-month fellowship in lower limb reconstruction under the guidance of the Royal College of Edinburgh.
“As a medical professional, I feel that the experience I have gained, both from a South African and British perspective, has given me an edge when treating pre and post-operative patients.”
When he isn’t with his patients, Peter can often be found cycling the nearest mountain bike track, out on the golf course, or enjoying family time.
The Practice
Orthopaedic Health is a private practice, situated at the Vergelegen
Mediclinic in Somerset West, and was opened in April 2015.
Knowledge Hub
What physiotherapy and rehab to expect after a meniscus repair surgery: Part 3 of 3
By Peter Hardcastle
In part two of this series, we looked at the different types of meniscus tears and how we diagnose and treat them. In this article, physiotherapist Heléne Swanepoel, explains what physiotherapy and rehabilitation entails after meniscus repair surgery.
Everything you need to know about the diagnosis and treatment of meniscus tears: Part 2 of 3
By Peter Hardcastle
In the first part of this series, I described what the meniscus is and the important role it plays in shock absorption, load bearing …
What does a meniscus do and why should we care? Part 1 of 3
By Peter Hardcastle
The meniscus is a C-shaped pad of fibrous cartilage in the knee. Each knee has two menisci, and these are essential for the long-term health of the knee. One of their most important functions….