Hiking in the mountains has long been one of retired nurse Rencia Gillespie’s greatest joys. But when debilitating lower-back pain left the Bellville resident struggling to walk, she feared she might never be able to take to the trails again.
That fear, fortunately, was short-lived. Eight months after undergoing complex spinal surgery at Netcare Kuils River Hospital, Rencia is back where she belongs. “I’m hiking and enjoying the mountains again,” she says.
| After complex spinal surgery, Rencia Gillespie is back in her happy place – hiking in the mountains. Rencia is third from the bottom, wearing khaki pants and a pink top. |
| Rencia Gillespie entered the hospital worried that surgery might still leave her with pain or weakness. Being able to lace up her hiking shoes again is a tangible sign of just how far she has come. The mountains are once again a treasured part of her life. Rencia is fourth from the top, wearing a cream cap and pink top. |
Rencia had sought medical attention for back pain two or three years earlier, and the pain had eased. However, when it returned late last year, it was different and worsened rapidly. “I was in significant pain for around two months. The pain travelled down my leg, to my toes. Eventually, the nerves were affected, and I began to experience weakness. At night, I was okay if I kept moving, but I couldn’t lie down. It was exhausting,” she recalls.
Physiotherapy, exercise and several pain medications brought little relief. She explored several other options, including a pain block, with surgery firmly reserved as a last resort. As a former nurse, Rencia knew spinal surgery was not a decision to take lightly. “Back operations are tricky. You can go through surgery and still be left with pain, weakness or other problems. I wanted to understand exactly what was going to happen.”
Two disciplines, one plan
For Rencia, that understanding began with neurosurgeon Dr Deon Lamprecht, who practises at Netcare Kuils River Hospital and works closely with orthopaedic surgeon Dr Reggie King on spinal cases requiring nerve decompression and reconstruction. They assess and plan complex cases together, combining complementary expertise: Dr Lamprecht focuses on the spinal canal, nerves and decompression, while Dr King addresses alignment, fusion and fixation.
“When a patient needs both decompression and fusion, combining our skills allows us to plan and perform the procedure as one team. We each have a clearly defined role, but we are working towards the same positive outcome for our patient,” says Dr Lamprecht.
Dr King, who in 2019 became the first orthopaedic surgeon to graduate with a clinical PhD from Stellenbosch University, says keeping the patient at the centre of planning is equally important. “The person needs to understand the problem, what each of us will do, and what we are trying to achieve together.”
For Rencia, that clarity inspired confidence. “They sat with me, discussed my case, and used pictures and diagrams to explain everything in a way I could relate to. I knew who would do what, why I needed the operation, and what to expect afterwards. Everything happened as they said it would.”
That same clarity underpins their approach: two disciplines, a shared surgical plan and a patient who understands the journey ahead.
Approaching the spine from two directions
“Rencia required an oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) as part of her spinal reconstruction. Instead of approaching the spine only from the back, OLIF allows us to access the affected disc space obliquely through the side and front of the body. This gives us access to remove the damaged disc and insert an interbody cage to restore height, alignment and stability,” explains Dr King.
The patient is then repositioned for the posterior stage, during which the surgeons decompress the affected nerves and add fixation from the back.
“Combining the two approaches gives us a very stable construct. That stability supports earlier mobilisation after surgery, which is important for recovery. In Rencia’s case, the procedure took about five to six hours,” says Dr King.
A table designed for complex spine surgery
Ask Rencia about the important new technology used during her operation and she laughs. “I have to admit, I was fast asleep, I never even got to see it.”
Behind the scenes, the specialised Mizuho OSI Jackson spinal table helps make complex spine surgery safer and more efficient, giving the team greater control when positioning and repositioning the patient during surgery.
“Positioning is critical when we operate from different directions. The table helps us turn and position the patient safely while protecting the airway, lines and pressure points,” explains Dr Lamprecht.
It also improves access to the spine and facilitates imaging during surgery, providing a clearer surgical field.
“For us, it comes down to safety, control and efficiency. The advanced surgical table makes complex surgery easier to perform and, in cases such as Rencia’s, can reduce operating time by about two hours. Together with stable fixation, which helps patients move sooner, it can support a smoother early recovery and, potentially, a shorter hospital stay,” says Dr King.
From hospital corridor to mountain trail
Rencia was soon back on her feet, with physiotherapy progressing from walking to tackling stairs.
“The benefits of successful spinal surgery extend well beyond the operating theatre. Getting patients safely mobile again as early as possible is important because prolonged immobility carries its own risks, including blood clots and respiratory complications,” explains Dr Lamprecht.
Most remarkable to Rencia was the absence of the pain that had dominated her life. “To come out of an operation with zero pain was quite something. Within a week, I was off all pain medication.”
By December, she was back in the gym, focusing on rehabilitation. Just four months after surgery came the milestone that mattered most: her return to the mountains. The fusion itself continues to heal over many months, with follow-up consultations to monitor bone growth and stability.
For Rencia, though, the experience is about more than a successful operation. “The care was exceptional from the word go. I felt supported and confident in the team throughout.”
As someone who entered hospital worried that surgery might still leave her with pain or weakness, being able to lace up her hiking shoes again means a great deal. The mountains are once again a treasured part of Rencia Gillespie’s life.
Ends
Notes to editor
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