Dr Cobus Wessels Home Page

Dr. Cobus (Jacobus) Wessels attained an MBChB at the University of Pretoria in 1991 and completed his internship at Witbank Hospital. From 1993 to 1995 he worked as a Medical Officer in the SANDF, and General Practitioner in Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth). For several years, Dr. Wessels also held the position as Senior House Officer in Orthopaedics in Queensland, Australia. Upon his return to South Africa in 1999, he was first appointed as Medical Officer then Registrar in the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Pretoria (UP).

From 2006 to 2008 Dr. Wessels worked as a Consultant at UP’s Orthopaedics Department, Foot and Ankle Surgery, under the guidance of the late Professor Grabe. In 2008 he moved into full-time private practice, exclusively specialising in foot and ankle surgery from 2010 onwards. During his time in private practice Dr. Wessels has not only attended, but also presented at, various international congresses. He is a member of both the South African Orthopaedic Association as well as the South African Association of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Dr. Wessels has a particular interest in soft tissue injuries of the foot and ankle. In more than 1000 cases to date, he has utilised a specialist, break-through technique (“Internal Bracing”) for the treatment of ankle ligament injuries. He has successfully treated professional sportspeople in nearly every sports discipline, including cricketers, international rugby and netball players, ice skaters, tennis players, and athletes (both field and track events).

Dr. Wessels is married to Elsa, a Paediatric Neurologist, and has two daughters Itha and Helene. Dr. Wessels keeps fit and sane by cycling, both road and mountain biking.

"In 2019, my husband and I had the wonderful experience of hiking the Camino in Spain. Unfortunately, I sustained an injury to my right leg. After the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, when I returned to work, I started to experience intense pain in my leg again. I went to Dr Cobus Wessels. From the moment I entered his consulting room, I appreciated his informed suggestions. In October 2021, the cause of the pain in my foot was healed completely in a surgical procedure at Zuid-Afrikaans Hospital, done by Dr. Wessels. I was impressed with the technology he used and the capability of the whole team working with him. His passion for his job and his sincere interest in his patients' recovery, is a huge comfort. The aftercare I received from him and his support team were excellent. My foot healed beautifully- so much so that I and my husband are planning our next big hike!"

"Dr. Cobus Wessels has operated on me several times. He has a passion for his job and uses the most advanced methods and technologies. That has always given me peace of mind. I wouldn't have been able to continue my work as a chef without his help. The care from his whole team is excellent- from the first consultation to the last physio appointment. I would strongly recommend him. He truly cares for the needs of his patients."

"My injury left me anxious and concerned about doing again what I enjoyed before. Thank you, Dr. Wessels. You went out of your way to attend to my injuries. The way in which you performed the procedure ensured my speedy recovery. Thank you for keeping me well informed all the way.

You are the best!"

"Dear Dr. Wessels,

It was indeed a privilege to receive your prompt and personal attention to provide me with an excellent professional assessment for my right leg lower leg and ankle injury. I especially appreciate you taking time from your extremely busy surgical scheduled that day, seeing me so promptly and walking personally to the imaging department to ensure that the appropriate images are taken. I also appreciate that due to your immediate excellent assessment, I was able to obtain the immobilization boot and make the most of the trip as well as participate in the course that we have been so eager to attend for the last two years.

I have had the opportunity to receive medical care at some of the finest facilities in the United states including the Mayo Clinic, Emory University Hospital and Clinic, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles). I would like to just provide you with candid feedback that the care and attention I received from you and the facility at Zah (Zuid Afrikananse Hospitaal) hospital is comparable to that at any of these internationally reputed facilities. For all of this, I'm eternally grateful and deeply indebted. I will be seeing sports medicine/orthopedic surgeons at both Cedar Sinai today, and USC Keck School of Medicine, tomorrow, to determine the best course of surgical option. I will keep you posted with what is decided and with the progress in addressing and resolving this injury.

Again, please let me take this opportunity to thank you and your incredible staff for attending to me at such short notice with great service and care

Best,
Mahul"

"Dear Dr Wessels and staff at the practice,

This email serves to express my sincere appreciation for your expertise, excellent service and personal care during my recent achilles tendon operation. It is rare that one finds the level of personal care from a specialist practice like the Wessels practice. I did not once feel like just another number in the queue. In fact, since this was my second achilles surgery (4 years ago the right achilles), I started feeling like a family member coming to visit.

Apart from being an excellent surgeon, thank you Cobus for taking time during each of my visits knowing the practice was full of patients waiting to be assisted. This meant a lot.

Thanks Elize and Elzette for making my visits to the practice enjoyable, efficient and with personal care. It made the rehab process bearable and enjoyable.

All the best and take care,"

"18 years ago, I broke my ankle. It was operated on to set it in place with plates and screws and hooks, but these were taken out the following year due to the pain still being experienced.

Afterwards this though, I still had pain in my ankle (it was not the plates and screws causing it but the damaged ankle itself) and for 18 years the pain just got worse and worse over time. I visited several orthopaedic surgeons over this time. None could help me.

One orthopaedic surgeon put me on an anti-inflammatory for the bone, which helped, but did not take the excruciating pain away. I eventually had debilitating osteoarthritis in my ankle which caused severe pain, inflammation, and stiffness of my ankle. Most orthopaedic surgeons said that they could do an ankle fusion (ankle arthrodesis), but I would have no movement. I did not want that. I still had some movement in my foot, why would I exchange it for a stiff foot and to walk with a limp?

About 4 months ago, by word of mouth, I heard about Dr Cobus Wessels. I decided to go and see him because he only specializes in ankles and feet. But I did not have much hope due to my previous experiences with other surgeons.

After x-rays, I was all teary looking at the bones on the x-ray. It was a mess from the osteoarthritis. Dr Wessels said he will help me to walk pain free AND have movement in my foot to be able to walk, drive a car, and basically have the same motion that I currently had but without the severe pain. He made it clear to me that the recovery process would take a long time.

I trusted him and went for the surgery. He made sure I had no pain after surgery. Dr Wessels gave me strict instructions to follow for the next two months. I followed it to a tee, and 7 weeks in, when I had my follow up visit the healing process was very advanced. My physiotherapist, Estelle, was right by my side all the way with every visit to Dr Wessels.

I continued to follow instruction from Dr Wessels and Estelle for the following weeks to come with sustained weekly improvements.

The healing of my foot is progressing extremely well. I'm walking in shoes 4 months after the operation. I can walk again, with very little pain, nothing compared to the 9/10 pain that I was used to constantly. I'm still recovering and progressing.

Dr Wessels has already changed my life and I now look forward to a pain free future. He has impeccable bedside manners, is very honest and very straight forward. That is what one wants, isn't it?

Dr Wessels - YOU have made the difference, and for that I will always be grateful to you and your team. These few words will never be able to fully thank you for what you have been able to do for me."

"To say that my foot was a bit of a mess, is an understatement. It literally just collapsed from under me. Dr Cobus Wessels had to repair a foot with a tendon so frazzled it wasn't even visible on the scan, as well as torn ligaments. He also had to remove a piece of bone due to a fracture that occurred more than 30 years ago! Not only did he do a sterling job in repairing my foot, I also received the best of care - both before and after the operation. He is clearly passionate about his profession and a master of his craft. I can't recommend him enough. Thank you Doc!"

"I would like to thank Dr. Cobus Wessels for his knowledge, dedication and joy in helping me with my ankle problem. I had a Hindfoot Arthrodesis in January of this year (2023). It sounded unbearable when he told me that I would not be able to walk on that foot for three months and the procedure he is going to follow sounded terrible.
But the entire experience with his staff and the staff of the Zuid Afrikaans Hospital proofed me wrong and made my life in a moonboot and a walking frame so easy. Dr Wessels’s staff were helpful, Elize who visited me every morning, Elzette arranging everything, Estelle teaching me how to walk and massaging my sore neck and Dr. Wessels with his positive and professional attitude with every visit made the three months feel like three weeks. I always felt cared for and not just being a number amongst all patients.
Thank you Dr. Wessels, I have no pain in my ankle anymore and thank you that I could start walking after two months. I can even play soccer with my nine-year-old grandchild!
I can recommend Dr. Wessels with a clean conscience and with confidence. He is the best!"

"Ten years ago, at the age of 15, I was in an accident that badly injured my ankle. Since then, I have undergone 19 operations on the ankle and had more than one episode of infection. After all this, my ankle was still not healed, and I had to walk with constant pain every day and was permanently bound to a moonboot for support. I was physically and emotionally drained. I had lost hope and even seriously started considering amputation until I met Dr Wessels.

Dr Cobus Wessels came highly recommended, and I decided to make an appointment. I consulted Dr Wessels at the end of 2022, and he was confident that he could help me. He was open and honest in our discussions about my prognosis.

Early in 2023, the first procedure was to remove the screws and do a biopsy to make sure I was infection free. The second procedure was to stabilize the joint with plates and screws and use my fibula bone as graft. Dr Wessels was adamant that I should follow his recovery program to the letter, which I did. The result was successful fusion of the joint and perfect alignment. After years of pain, struggle and many tears I can finally walk without any pain. I can even go on hikes again; no moonboot required! I was able to get my driver’s licence this year, which was previously impossible and to experience freedom of movement.

I will most probably have to undergo some remedial surgery in future on my ankle, but I am confident that it will be a total success with Dr Wessels by my side.

I am forever thankful for the incredible work Dr Wessels and his team at Zuid Afrikaans Hospital did and highly recommend him to anyone experiencing foot/ankle problems. You won’t be disappointed."

"After an unsuccessful operation on my right ankle, I was referred to Dr Wessels for a second opinion. If my ankle could not be successfully repaired, my dancing career would be over.

Dr Wessels was professional and wanted to help me to be able to dance again without any pain. He operated on both ankles as both had damage. The operation was 100% successful and I was able to start dancing again within eight weeks. Thank you doctor Cobus for being able to help me continue to live out my love for dance."

To request an appointment, please call 012 881 4123

To request an appointment, please call 012 881 4123