Durban and the greater eThekwini metropolitan area is KwaZulu-Natal’s largest city and home to a growing community of highly skilled orthopaedic surgeons practising across a range of subspecialties — from joint replacement and sports medicine to spinal surgery and trauma orthopaedics. Whether you require hip or knee replacement surgery, ACL reconstruction, spinal surgery for back pain, fracture fixation following an injury, or treatment for a sports injury, Durban’s private orthopaedic surgeons offer internationally trained expertise in well-equipped private hospital settings. This 2026 guide profiles Durban’s best orthopaedic surgeons, the hospitals at which they practise, the procedures they perform, and what patients should know about costs and medical aid.
Orthopaedic Surgery in KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is South Africa’s third largest province by population with over 12 million residents, and Durban serves as the medical hub for the province’s orthopaedic surgical needs. Orthopaedic surgeons in Durban are registered with the HPCSA and most hold the Fellowship of the College of Orthopaedic Surgeons of South Africa (FC Orth SA). Many of Durban’s leading private orthopaedic surgeons trained at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine and have completed subspecialty fellowships in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, or Germany. Private orthopaedic practice in Durban is concentrated primarily at Life Entabeni Hospital, Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital, and Mediclinic Victoria — the three largest private hospital groups operating in the Durban metropolitan area.
Leading Orthopaedic Hospitals in Durban 2026
Life Entabeni Hospital — Berea, Durban
Life Entabeni Hospital on Ridge Road in Berea, Durban, is KwaZulu-Natal’s largest and most comprehensive private hospital, operating over 700 beds across multiple specialties. The orthopaedic unit at Life Entabeni is the busiest in Durban, performing high volumes of total hip and knee replacements, spinal surgery, sports injury operations, paediatric orthopaedic procedures, and complex trauma surgery. The hospital operates two dedicated orthopaedic theatres with laminar airflow systems for joint replacement — reducing infection risk. The Life Entabeni orthopaedic unit works with a dedicated physiotherapy and occupational therapy team for post-operative rehabilitation, and the hospital’s on-site imaging department provides plain radiography, MRI (1.5T and 3T), CT scanning, and diagnostic ultrasound. Many of Durban’s most experienced orthopaedic surgeons hold admitting privileges at Life Entabeni as their primary hospital.
Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital — Glenwood, Durban
Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital in Glenwood is one of Durban’s premier private hospitals and a major orthopaedic surgical centre. The orthopaedic programme at St Augustine’s encompasses joint replacement surgery, arthroscopic sports surgery, spinal surgery, hand and peripheral nerve surgery, and complex fracture management. St Augustine’s operates a dedicated orthopaedic rehabilitation unit — one of the few in Durban — providing inpatient physiotherapy for patients recovering from major joint replacement and spinal surgery. The hospital’s imaging suite includes 3T MRI with musculoskeletal protocols, and a dedicated interventional radiology service supports orthopaedic pain management procedures. Netcare St Augustine’s is also a Level II Trauma Centre for the Durban area.
Mediclinic Victoria — Overport, Durban
Mediclinic Victoria in Overport is a key private hospital in the central Durban metro area and an important orthopaedic surgical facility. Mediclinic Victoria’s orthopaedic programme covers joint replacement, sports injury surgery, spinal decompression, and fracture fixation. The hospital serves a large Indian and mixed-population community in central Durban and offers a range of Mediclinic quality standards with all major health fund agreements in place. Several of Durban’s orthopaedic surgeons with predominantly Indian Ocean Rim patient bases practise at Mediclinic Victoria.
Best Orthopaedic Surgeons in Durban South Africa 2026
Dr Prakash Dewnath — Joint Replacement and Arthroplasty
Dr Prakash Dewnath is one of Durban’s most respected orthopaedic surgeons specialising in primary and revision total hip and total knee arthroplasty. He completed his orthopaedic training at UKZN and undertook a fellowship in joint replacement surgery at a leading UK orthopaedic centre. Dr Dewnath practices primarily at Life Entabeni Hospital and Mediclinic Victoria. He is known for his high volume of joint replacement cases, use of computerised alignment systems for optimal implant positioning, and excellent clinical outcomes in total knee replacement. He is a member of the South African Hip and Knee Surgery Society (SAHKSS) and participates in the national joint registry programme.
Dr Nhlanhla Mkhize — Spinal Surgery
Dr Nhlanhla Mkhize is a specialist orthopaedic surgeon with subspecialty training in spinal surgery, practising at Life Entabeni Hospital and Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital in Durban. Dr Mkhize trained at UKZN and completed a spinal surgery fellowship in the United Kingdom. He performs cervical and lumbar disc surgery (including minimally invasive microdiscectomy and TLIF fusion procedures), spinal deformity correction, spinal tumour surgery, and spinal trauma fixation. Dr Mkhize is regarded as one of the most technically proficient spinal surgeons in KwaZulu-Natal for complex multi-level degenerative spinal disease.
Dr Rajen Naidoo — Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy
Dr Rajen Naidoo is Durban’s most prominent sports orthopaedic surgeon, with extensive experience in knee and shoulder arthroscopy, ACL and PCL reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, and sports injury rehabilitation. He trained at UKZN and completed a sports medicine and arthroscopy fellowship. Dr Naidoo practices at Life Entabeni Hospital and Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital. He serves as orthopaedic consultant to the Sharks rugby team and to several KwaZulu-Natal Premier League football clubs. He is a member of the Arthroscopy Society of South Africa (ASSA) and the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS).
Dr Abdool Rassool — Paediatric Orthopaedics
Dr Abdool Rassool is KwaZulu-Natal’s most experienced paediatric orthopaedic surgeon, specialising in congenital limb deformities, clubfoot (CTEV) correction using the Ponseti method, developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), Perthes disease, scoliosis, and paediatric fracture management. Dr Rassool trained at UKZN and completed a paediatric orthopaedic fellowship in the United Kingdom. He practices at Life Entabeni Hospital and consults at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine paediatric orthopaedic clinic for UKZN. Dr Rassool’s Ponseti clubfoot correction programme has treated hundreds of KwaZulu-Natal children with congenital talipes equinovarus.
Dr Asheef Cassim — Trauma and Fracture Surgery
Dr Asheef Cassim is a specialist orthopaedic surgeon practising at Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital with subspecialty interest in orthopaedic trauma and fracture management, including complex periarticular fractures, pelvis and acetabulum fractures, and polytrauma orthopaedic management. Dr Cassim trained at UKZN and at institutions in the UK and USA. He serves as a consultant to the Netcare St Augustine’s Level II Trauma Unit and manages complex fracture cases referred from across KwaZulu-Natal.
Common Orthopaedic Procedures and Costs in Durban 2026
| Procedure | Cost Range (ZAR) | Notes |
| Total Knee Replacement | R90,000 – R150,000 | Includes implant, anaesthesia, 3-5 day hospital stay |
| Total Hip Replacement | R85,000 – R140,000 | Cementless or hybrid fixation; 3-4 day stay |
| ACL Reconstruction (knee) | R40,000 – R70,000 | Hamstring or patellar tendon graft; day surgery |
| Rotator Cuff Repair (shoulder) | R35,000 – R60,000 | Arthroscopic; day surgery or 1 night |
| Lumbar Microdiscectomy | R55,000 – R90,000 | Minimally invasive; 2 day hospital stay |
| Spinal Fusion (TLIF/PLIF) | R100,000 – R200,000 | Instrumented fusion; 3-5 day stay; implant cost high |
| Clubfoot correction (Ponseti series) | R8,000 – R20,000 | Per casting series; tenotomy if required extra |
Most orthopaedic procedures are covered as in-hospital PMB benefits under registered medical aid schemes. Gap cover is strongly recommended as orthopaedic surgeons and anaesthetists frequently charge above medical aid rates — particularly for joint replacement and spinal surgery where specialist fees and implant costs are high.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best orthopaedic surgeon in Durban for knee replacement?
Dr Prakash Dewnath at Life Entabeni Hospital and Mediclinic Victoria is widely regarded as one of Durban’s leading joint replacement surgeons for total knee replacement, with a high surgical volume, use of computer-assisted alignment systems, and strong patient outcome data. Always request that your GP provide referrals to two or three orthopaedic surgeons for initial consultation before deciding on your surgeon for elective joint replacement.
How long is the waiting time to see an orthopaedic surgeon in Durban privately?
Private orthopaedic consultations in Durban are typically available within 1 to 3 weeks with a GP referral and private health insurance or direct payment. Elective joint replacement surgery is generally scheduled 4 to 8 weeks after the initial consultation, subject to theatre availability and pre-operative medical clearance. Emergency fracture and trauma cases are managed within hours at Life Entabeni and Netcare St Augustine’s trauma units.
Does medical aid cover joint replacement surgery in Durban?
Yes. Total hip and total knee replacement are covered by all registered medical aid schemes as PMB-level procedures for appropriate clinical indications including severe osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis, and post-traumatic arthritis. Gold tier cover is recommended to ensure full in-hospital benefit coverage. Gap cover is essential as orthopaedic surgeons and anaesthetists frequently charge above medical aid rates for joint replacement surgery.
What is the best hospital for orthopaedic surgery in Durban?
Life Entabeni Hospital is the highest-volume orthopaedic surgical facility in Durban with the broadest range of orthopaedic subspecialists, dedicated joint replacement theatres with laminar airflow, and comprehensive post-operative rehabilitation services. Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital is the preferred choice for spinal surgery, trauma orthopaedics, and patients requiring rehabilitation unit admission.
Conclusion
Durban’s orthopaedic surgical community in 2026 offers a strong range of experienced and internationally trained specialists across joint replacement, spinal surgery, sports medicine, paediatric orthopaedics, and trauma surgery. Life Entabeni Hospital and Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital provide the clinical infrastructure and support services required for the highest quality orthopaedic care in KwaZulu-Natal. With appropriate medical aid cover and gap cover insurance, accessing world-class orthopaedic care in Durban is achievable for insured patients across all major procedures.