As an orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Steenkamp performs different types of surgical procedures to help his little patients get better through diagnosis, treatment, surgery and extensive follow-up care.

Paediatric orthopaedic surgery is indicated to treat congenital and acquired health problems such as broken bones, limb defects and infections. The most common procedures performed in paediatric orthopaedic surgery include:

• Simple laceration repair – This involves stitching closed cuts or wounds, including tissue debridement and wound irrigation and exploration.
• Removal of foreign bodies – This includes the removal of splinters, fishhooks, and other foreign bodies or objects in extremities.
• Drainage of abscess –the surgeon inserts a needle into the abscess and draw out fluid. A draining tube may also be inserted to continue to drain fluid for several days.
• Treatment of congenital conditions such as clubfoot and Blount’s Disease. These are growth conditions that are present at birth. While clubfoot is characterised by an underdeveloped or inwards-facing foot, Blount’s affects the development of the shin bone.

Trauma surgery for injuries such as growth plate injuries. These are injuries that impact the growth plates present in the long bones of children, ultimately affecting the development of their arms and legs.