Primary care is important in a holistic approach to health care. Dr Nell advises you to see your general practitioner first to start with appropriate measures and refer you if necessary. Many medical aids also insist on a referral from your general practitioner before funding a specialist consultation.

Generally, you will be referred to Dr Nell for knee surgery if conservative treatment for your condition has failed. This means that non-surgical treatments have not reduced your pain and discomfort.

As time goes on, prosthetic devices used in joint replacement surgery may be damaged or simply wear out. If you’ve previously undergone joint replacement surgery but need to have the joint operated on again, it is considered revision surgery.

Dr Nell has payment agreements with many major South African funders. This includes Discovery, Bonitas, Gems, Polmed, Fedhealth, Bestmed and others. Many insured patients are fully covered under these payment agreements. Most knee replacements are now done under global fee arrangements, which widens the spectrum of insured patients that will be fully covered for knee replacement surgery. Many medical aids now have "baskets of day surgery procedures", which are fully covered when performed at day surgery centres. Dr Nell accommodates these cases (all arthroscopies and many ligament repairs) at our local Cure day hospital. Medical aid plans vary, and although Dr Nell has focused on equitable and affordable private health care, some procedures will not be covered or partially covered. Dr Nell also assists with private paying non-medical aid patients.

Call our reception, email us or fill out our online contact form to request an appointment. Our friendly practice manager will contact you to confirm a suitable date and time.

Yes, second opinions are welcome. Dr Nell generally advises that second opinions have the most value when all healthcare professionals involved are informed, and information is shared. If a patient prefers a confidential second opinion, then the patient's right to confidentiality will be respected.

Dr Nell does not perform any surgery in the rooms, but casting work happens in the rooms. He also gives viscosupplementation injections and cortisone injections in the rooms.

Dr Nell is based at Louis Leipoldt Medi-Clinic, where most major surgeries are performed. He also performs regular day surgery at the Cure day hospital Bellville.