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South Africa’s passion for sport is undeniable. From roaring crowds in stadiums to weekend warriors hitting the trails, movement and competition are in our blood. But behind every triumphant sprint or forceful tackle lies a complex, finely tuned machine: the human body. And like any high-performance vehicle, it needs expert mechanics to keep it running at its best.

This is where sports medicine and science come into play, as Lauren Brown, a podiatrist at Waterfall Sports Orthopaedic Surgery at Netcare Waterfall City Hospital, explains. “Think of the human body as a high-end race car. The sports scientist is the engine specialist, managing power and performance. The physiotherapist and biokineticist safeguard the suspension system, ensuring the ride is stable over rough terrain. And the podiatrist? We’re the wheel alignment experts, checking that the tyres grip the road correctly and the wheels run smoothly.

“Our director, Professor Patricios, and our multidisciplinary team work closely with many well-known sportsmen and women and some high-performing teams such as SuperSport United FC. However, we also play a vital role in helping non-professional athletes and active individuals maintain their fitness and mobility throughout life,” she adds.

Pic: When it comes to the human body, precision starts with knowing the full story. At Waterfall Sports Orthopaedic Surgery at Netcare Waterfall City Hospital, expert consultations, advanced imaging, and muscle testing work together to identify the problem, whether it is an injury or a more complex issue. Nothing is left to guesswork — it's all about science, teamwork, and a relentless focus on keeping you moving at your best.

 

It all starts with diagnosis If a top-tier car signals trouble – loss of power, strange noises, or uneven tyre wear – the first step is a thorough inspection. Similarly, diagnosing the exact problem or concern in sports science is the foundation of effective treatment. Professor Jon Patricios, director of Waterfall Sports Orthopaedic Surgery, says, “Accurate diagnosis is critical. Without understanding exactly what’s wrong and why, treatment is just guesswork. We start with a detailed consultation, advanced imaging and functional assessments to get the full picture.” At Waterfall Sports Orthopaedic Surgery in Midrand, this process begins with a comprehensive consultation led by a sports medicine physician or sometimes an appointment with a biokineticist, physiotherapist or podiatrist. Advanced tools such as MRI and ultrasound reveal soft tissue damage, while gait analysis – combining force plate data with video – helps identify hidden alignment problems. This is akin to checking the car’s wheel alignment and suspension for subtle misalignments that could prematurely wear down tyres or reduce handling. The biokineticist then assesses muscle strength and balance using Cybex isokinetic testing, quantifying joint torque to pinpoint weaknesses or imbalances. “It’s like testing the horsepower of each cylinder in an engine. For optimal performance, each muscle must work in harmony,” Professor Patricios adds. Working closely with other healthcare specialists Lauren Brown highlights the close collaboration with specialists such as orthopaedic surgeons: “We often get referrals from specialists who would, for example, say, ‘This patient will ultimately need a knee replacement, but let’s try to delay that for as long as possible. We are also asked to help rehabilitate patients following surgery.’ Our job is to ease discomfort, help strengthen where needed and improve mobility. Then we set out to work — optimising every aspect of function to keep patients moving well for as long as possible.”

 

Concussion care: a critical focus
Professor Patricios is highly regarded for his expertise in concussion management, which is a key component in sports medicine and a core aspect of the centre's work. “Concussions are complex injuries that require careful assessment and management. At Netcare Waterfall City Hospital, we don’t just treat the obvious injuries, we prioritise brain health and safety, using evidence-based protocols to guide informed return-to-play decisions,” he notes.

Yet, concussion care is only one aspect of the centre’s advanced capabilities. From cutting-edge imaging and biomechanical assessments to minimally invasive treatments and rehabilitation technologies, the centre offers comprehensive, high-tech care addressing every facet of health, mobility and performance.

From diagnosis to treatment: a tailored plan
Once a diagnosis is made, a personalised treatment plan is crafted for each patient. This might involve building muscular strength, correcting alignment, or rehabilitating after injury to ensure a safe and timely return to peak performance.
The sports physician oversees this multidisciplinary process, applying evidence-based strategies that combine conservative management, physiotherapy, biokinetics, and sometimes minimally invasive treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. “Our goal is to optimise recovery and function using the most suitable methods for each case, whether that involves rehabilitation alone or, when necessary, surgical intervention,” explains Professor Patricios.
Physiotherapists focus on relieving pain and restoring movement, protecting the muscles and connective tissues that absorb shock and provide stability, much like a vehicle’s suspension. They create progressive programmes to rebuild flexibility and strength, helping athletes handle training stresses without losing balance. Biokinetics then takes over to strengthen the patient further, guiding them back to their performance level through targeted exercises.

The orthotists, on the other hand, are responsible for prescribing braces that support and protect injured or vulnerable areas and structures during recovery or prophylactically. At the same time, the podiatrist prescribes custom orthotics or recommends sport-specific footwear to optimise foot function. Lauren Brown points out, “Poor foot alignment is like misaligned wheels—it causes uneven wear and inefficiency. Addressing this early helps prevent injuries down the road.”

Bringing it all together
Waterfall Sports Orthopaedic Surgery offers a fully integrated model where the specialised team collaborate closely, often with other healthcare professionals. Patient cases are reviewed in multi-disciplinary team conferences, refining diagnoses and treatment plans. This unified approach is like a pit crew working together to get a race car back on track as quickly and safely as possible.

Cutting-edge technologies also aid recovery: anti-gravity treadmills allow graduated rehabilitation by reducing body weight during running, preventing overload. Shockwave therapy and image-guided injections promote tissue repair with minimal downtime. “Technology gives us the tools to care for every ‘component’ of the human body with precision,” says Professor Patricios.

Why this matters
There are only about 20 sports medicine specialists in South Africa, and the demand for their expertise is rapidly growing as more individuals seek expert care for injury treatment and prevention. Professor Patricios says, “Our goal is to keep athletes and active people moving safely for life, not just patch up injuries.”

Viewing the human body, whether that of an athlete or an everyday person, as a complex machine with interconnected systems allows sports science to offer holistic, effective care. It’s about tuning every part—engine, suspension, and wheels to work seamlessly for lasting performance and health.

Ends.

Notes to editors
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