PATIENT TESTIMONIALS

Geagte Dr Charl
Ek wil graag my uiterste dankbaarheid, respek en bewondering uitspreek vir jou ongelooflike etiese waardes, jou eerlikheid en jou wonderlike insae in jou pasiënte se holistiese welstand. Ek is steeds in verwondering oor hoe jy ons situasie hanteer het. Grootste seëninge vir jou en jou praktyk. Jy is voorwaar baie spesiaal. Baie, baie dankie aan jou.

- Groete,
Melanie

I am a 50 year old female and was suffering from severe shoulder pain. After 8 months of trying physio, anti-inflamatories and cortisone injections all to no avail, I decided to seek the help of an expert! That’s Dr Charl! From the very first consultation I knew I was in good hands. Dr Charl (and his totally wonderful ladies Estelle and Ronelle ) has the most warming bedside manner and made me feel quite confident in a satisfactory outcome. On the day of my surgery, Dr Charl came to see me in the ward and even organised me a "little snack" as I was only scheduled for surgery later in the afternoon. Needless to say, nobody really looks forward to an operation, my nerves had begun to get the better of me. When I was fetched to go to the theatre I was a little emotional. Between Dr Charl and Dr Dennis Turner ( my wonderful anaethetist) I was feeling as happy as a lark by the time I was wheeled in. My surgery went off without a hitch and I was allowed to go home the next morning. My shoulder and arm were still pretty numb from the IS block but I took the valuable advice of taking the pain killers timeously and had very little pain thereafter. I was at home for two weeks and was able to drive and return to work with very little discomfort. I had a few Physio sessions to help me get my shoulder mobile again and was able to continue with the exercises on my own at home. I had my five month follow up today and I am kind of amazed how much better my shoulder is, I have almost full range of motion and am totally pain free. Dr Charl asked me if I would have the procedure again if it were necessary and my answer is absolutely yes! I highly recommend Dr Charl Van Den Berg, you are in extremely capable and caring hands from the first to the last visit. If I ever have shoulder issues again, I know exactly who I’ll call. Thank you so very much for fixing me up!

- Debbie Simpson (50yr old, left shoulder arthroscopy 2016-02-29)

Six months have passed now since my shoulder surgery and I take the opportunity to thank you herewith for an outstanding job done. I know now that you have an excellent reputation in South Africa and beyond, but 7 months ago, as a newcomer to South Africa, I was much in doubt should I take the risk to have a major shoulder surgery here or better go back to Austria. It could be that somebody ask’s him, or herself, the same question and I will gladly share my experience with this person. Now, this is my story:
I am 74 years old, normal weight, with a history in different sports, some of them rather demanding in my younger years, and later in life working out regularly in my private gym and still doing some mountaineering.
Last year my wife and I decided to move from Austria to Somerset West. The house we bought needed some renovation and long experience told me that one has to supervise and inspect everything people are doing, in order to get the job done to lasting satisfaction. Doing this, I climbed a ladder not noticing that my foot got trapped in a loop of wire some steps up and actually fell down a few meters, with my right shoulder hitting a big wooden box first and than the ground. When I got up, pain was so severe that I could hardly move my arm a few centimeters forwards and sidewards, and backwards not at all. The next few nights I was sitting in bed, because this was the only position I could doze off for some minutes.
I had shoulder injuries before, from sports, but they were treated conservatively and did not necessarily need surgery. This time I knew, a surgery would be inevitable. And it could be difficult because I expected more than one tendon to be involved and there would be scar tissue from former injuries as well. I found Dr. Van Den Berg on the internet and got an appointment within two days.
Now, I have to mention that I was working in the medical field myself (R& D, engineering diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy) for more then 35 years. I am not a Medical Doctor, not at all, but only have some basic knowledge about the human anatomy, which is compulsory for the business I was working in. For short, the guy who dares to ask silly questions. Not many Dr’s like this kind of patient.
The surgery took place at the “Vergelegen Mediclinic”, a place I can really recommend, on October the 19th. No fuzz, no fancy things but everthing you need, and very friendly and caring staff. Next day after Dr. Van Den Berg’s visit, I was discharged and went, with my arm in a slinge, back home. Again, no fuss but friendly and caring wife. I did not experience much pain after surgery. From the Opioid based pain killers provided by the hospital, I took only one at bed time the following 3 days. After that I could do without. But I must admit that I have learned to live with, and handle pain to some extent and may not be a good example. And make no mistake, I fear and hate pain as much as anybody else.
For the next couple of weeks, I took my arm out of the sling only ocassionally and carefully avoiding rotation or lifting forwards or sidewards.Physiotherapy began 7 weeks after surgery. I have a tendency of being impatient and doing too much, but this time I was holding back and giving myself more rest and I think it payed off. I have no pain in my shoulder, have the full former range of movement and have probably the average strenghts of a man my age.This is by all means not good enough, but now I can work on that.
For the ones reading (understandably) only summaries:
I was considering going back to Europe for a major Shoulder-Rotator cuff surgery. With my experience with Dr. Charl Van Den Berg and the Mediclinic in Somerset West, I would rather be doing it the other way arround, flying from Europe to Cape Town-Somerset West to get this surgery done.
Somerset West, the 8th of May, 2016.

-Günther Rusch -(74yr, Arthroscopic Repair of large rotator cuff tear in October 2015)

Ek het vir 3 jaar met my regter skouer gesukkel voordat ek by Dr van den Berg uitgekom het. Op daardie stadium was my skouer besig om styf te word en kon ek hom skaars gebruik het. Die pyn was as gevolg van kalsium opbou in my skouer en te min spasie vir my skouer om te beweeg wat inflammasie veroorsaak het en die kalsium neerlegging veroorsaak het. Dr van den Berg het aanbeveel dat hy opereer en al die kalsium verwyder in my skouer en ook die spasie in my skouer vergroot.Die operasie het goed gegaan en dit was ’n groot sukses, en alhoewel Dr van den Berg gesê het dat ek pyn gaan hê in die volgende 24 uur, het ek verbasend baie min gehad. My arm was in ’n sling vir so 10 dae. Na 5 dae het ek met fisio twee keer per week begin by Lee Scott. My skouer het weekliks verbeter en dit het ’n goeie 4-5 maande geneem om weer goed mobiel te raak. Na ongeveer 6 maande het my skouer heeltemal normaal gevoel.My raad aan enige iemand wat so ’n skouer operasie moet deurgaan is om geduldig te wees met die herstel proses en nasorg. Vat dit rustig en gee die skouer tyd om mooi te herstel, maar doen die oefeninge getrou en volg die fisio se raad. Onthou dat die operasie vinnig is, maar die herstel proses vat langer. Dr doen ’n uitstekende werk met die operasie. Dit hang dan van jou af hoe goed jy die nasorg doen of dit ’n blywende sukses gaan wees.
Baie dankie aan Dr van den Berg

- Kobus Erasmus(45yrs) – rthroscopic subacromial decompression and calcium removal

I am a busy housewife, accountant, and keen grandmother. I sustained a shoulder injury in 2013 when opening the garage door, which is very heavy for my small stature; it fell on me and injured my right shoulder. After failed conservative physiotherapy by my physiotherapist, ViIlene Alderslade, she referred me to Dr.Charl van den Berg. He explained that I had torn three of my rotator cuff muscles in my right shoulder and that he would have to operate. He explained what the procedure would be and he operated the end of November 2013. My rehab started 3 weeks later, whilst still in the sling. The shoulder joint mobilizations, general soft tissue manipulations and gentle spinal work had to be added into my rehab, as I have degenerated spinal symptoms which was influenced by the immobilization of the shoulder. Villene Alderslade introduced elastic strengthtraining at 4 weeks, and diligent home rehab was the key to my return to normal function. I continued with my physio treatment under the watchful eye of Villene until June 2014. My recovery was fast and I have fully recovered and am able to operate with my daily routine without hinder. My sincere gratitude to Dr Charl van den Berg and his good team.

- ESTELLE BUITENDAG(69 years) – Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

I am a very active and creative farmer and run La Roche Estate, I am also constantly busy creating new building structures on the Estate,this necessitate me to move and lift heavy objects. During these activities I sustained a traumatic injury to my right shoulder and as I am right handed I was severely hampered with the functional activities on the farm. I visited my regular physiotherapist in Franschhoek, Villene Alderslade, who treated me but failed in eliminating the pain and function due to the extent of the injury. Villene referred me to Dr. Charl van den Berg. After diagnosing me with a 3 of the rotator cuff muscles torn, he was operated in July 2014. A slow progressive rehabilitation stared 2 weeks later. I wore my sling for 4 weeks under the watchful eye of my physio, and continued with treatment containing gentle joint mobilization and soft tissue work. At 5 weeks postoperatively we slowly stared gentle elastic training and strengthening. I did home exercises diligently, which was imperative to my healing process. Pain and movement in his shoulder had recovered to full movement by 8 weeks and by 3 months I was able to return to full activities on the farm. I enjoy my golf and was able to return to a limited golf swing in September 2014 and I am now back to thefull use of my shoulder. My experience in a whole was satisfying and the key to the outcome of the great work of Dr Charl van den Berg was the diligent homework and continual rehab under a watchful keen trained eye of Villene my physiotherapist.

- JAN BUITENDAG (72 years) – Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

I suffered a shoulder injury to my left shoulder during a rugby match in 1963. I was left with a left arm which I could not use to the full. It sort of healed and I could use my arm for my daily tasks and for a long time had no pain in the shoulder. In 2003 I hurt my shoulder while lifting some steel work while helping my son in law in his business. I went to my GP who gave me a cortisone injection which subdued the pain for about three years and then it started again. At that stage we were living on a farm to far from the previous doctor and I went to see another GP nearest to the farm. I again received two cortisone injections and some anti-inflammatory medication. This helped for a while but the pain just came back to the point where I could not lift my left arm above my shoulder and could not even carry a bag containing two bottles of milk with my left arm. We moved to the Western Province and I was immediately referred to Dr. Charl van den Berg by my son in law. I visited him and found him a person with empathy, very good manners and excellent people skills. He examined my shoulder and immediately sent me for x-rays. I went back to him and he discussed the two options available, for solving my shoulder problem. After closely examining the ex-rays and sonar images he suggested that the route to take was an arthroscopy. I underwent the surgery and when I visited him after the operation he showed me a video of the operation and discussed it with my wife and myself in full detail. He then referred me to a physiotherapist and after three sessions with her she gave me some exercises to do at home. I did the exercises every day and four months later I can use my left arm fully even hanging up the washing and doing all sorts of things in the house. I can honestly and without prejudice recommend Dr. Charl van den Berg for especially shoulder operations.

- Mr. S Jacobs (73 years young) – Shoulder arthroscopy August 2014

I was experiencing severe pain in my left shoulder. After several visits to my physiotherapist the relief was temporary. Besides the pain and discomfort, and being incapable of dressing and undressing, I was due to go on a golfing holiday in October which I was seriously contemplating cancelling.
I was referred to Dr Charl van der Berg by my physio and am so glad she did. Dr van der Berg had studied the x-rays prior to me arriving. He questioned me, examined me and then explained in lay terms what my problem was and more importantly, mapped out a course of action to solve the problem. I immediately had total faith and confidence in his diagnosis and prognosis and have followed his instructions to the letter.
Within 6 weeks, I recovered to the degree that I have about 90% mobility in the shoulder with no pain and no longer need assistance to get dressed and undressed. Sleep is no longer an issue either. His treatment and advice have accelerated the healing process and I look forward to the golfing trip.
I have no hesitation in recommending Dr van der Berg. He is empathetic, thorough, professional and exudes an aura of confidence.

- Gavin Hillyard (65yr, Frozen Shoulder)
Somerset West

I am now a 74 year old woman living on my own. At the beginning of 2014 I had a fall down the stairs which resulted in the ligaments of my right shoulder being torn. I could feel this; but circumstances prevented me from having the damage seen to immediately. Six months later I was able to attend to the matter. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT TOO LONG TO HAVE THE DAMAGE SEEN TO. Dr. van den Berg examined my x-rays and sonar scans and said that because of the delay the tendons had retracted into the muscles, leaving the bone bare in one place. I was in constant pain and unable to use my right arm.
In June I was operated on at the Vergelegen clinic; and had an overnight stay. Because of the complications, the keyhole surgery was extensive, with "nuts & bolts" used to repair the damage. I had to wear a special type of sling for two months, which meant no driving either. I stayed with my daughter for two weeks before returning home. Initially there was a lot of pain, but now I can say that it was all worth it. I have just had my final visit with Dr. van den Berg who is very happy with the result as I am too.
My physiotherapist was so excited by the report sent to him by the Dr. that he asked me to get the CD of the surgery. Regular physiotherapy and the daily exercises which I did; also helped enormously. From his professional perspective, the physio said that it was obvious that Dr. van den Berg had found the operation a challenge and that he enjoyed and was excited about his work. I am now completely without pain and am enjoying full use of my arm. I found Dr. van den Berg very approachable and was delighted that he took the time to explain the problem and what he planned to do in such detail. I can highly recommend him.

- Jenny Berrisford (74yr old)
Procedure: Arthroscopic repair of a massive rotatorcuff tear on 2014-06-14

I lived with a painful shoulder for about a year, trying to get by with frequent visits to physiotherapists, before I listened to their advice and visited Dr van den Berg. Diagnosis was quick and accurate. In my case the only solution was to undergo relatively minor surgery. Dr van den Berg and his team were very professional and the operation was performed in due course without any complications. It is now four months since the surgery. I am not in pain anymore and have regained full functionality of my left shoulder.

- Mr RN 39yrs (shoulder arthroscopy)

Thank you for the excellent care you gave me from start to finish. I appreciated all the attention and explanations and know that I had first class surgery. I have been singing your praises and recommending you to everyone I know with a shoulder problem.

Mr S.T.
, 58 yr old male (Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair October 2014)

Charl
Dankie vir jou epos. Ek is effe sprakeloos oor Michael se spoedige herstel. En vanselfsprekend vreeslik bly. Baie dankie vir jou aandeel. Die manier wat jy Michael hanteer het was uitsonderlik. Hy dink natuurlik jy loop op water!
Wanneer ek weer in SA kuier sal ek kom groet.

Lynette (patient’s mother)
(PATIENT: 19 YR OLD MALE – RECONSTRUCTION FOR CHRONIC SHOULDER INSTABILITY IN HIGH LEVEL GHOLFER)

Dr van den Berg,
‘n Kort boodskap om my waardering uit te spreek. Uiteraard het jou operasie aan Michael se skouer ‘n baie wesenlike impak op sy lewe en toekoms. Daar is min dinge in die lewe wat vir ‘n ouer so kosbaar is soos iemand wat bydra tot die welsyn en voorspoed van jou kind. Ek besef dat jou bydrae ‘n normale deel is van jou professie en dag tot dag aktiwiteite. Nietemin is dit nodig om erkenning te gee aan die positiewe omvang van jou werk op Michael se skouer, nou en vir sy toekoms.
Michael het in ‘n boodskap aan my gesê dat wanneer hy eendag suksesvol is, hy finansiêle bystand gaan gee aan ‘n jong aspirerende gholfer wat met ‘n besering sukkel en nie behandeling kan bekostig nie. Opsigself is dit ‘n baie positiewe uitkoms.
Groetnis,

Barry (patient’s father)
(PATIENT: 19 YR OLD MALE – RECONSTRUCTION FOR CHRONIC SHOULDER INSTABILITY IN HIGH LEVEL GHOLFER)

Ek deel graag my onlangse ervaring (uiters positief) tydens n operasie op Maandag 17 September by Vergelegen Mediclinic. Skoueroperasie deur Dr Charl vd Berg.
Die aanloop tot die operasie was ewe prysenswaardig toe Estelle Alberts (by spreekkamer van Dr vd Berg) moeite gedoen het om n vroeër afspraak gereel te kry weens erge pyn wat ek in my skouer ervaar het. Ook haar reelings en verduidelikings re die admin en prosedure na die besoek, het van kundigheid en ervaring getuig .
Vandat ek Maandag 17 September om 06.00 opgeneem is, het ek uiters professionele en vriendelike optrede van die verpleegpersoneel in Saal H ervaar. Suster Geduld en haar 2 verpleegsters was werlik die vriendelikheid self en uiters bekwaam. Hul het my ook voortdurend op hoogte gehou oor wat sou volg. Dit bly maar n stresvolle ervaring vir iemand wat nie gereeld in hospitale kom nie en gevolglik was hul optrede baie gerusstellend.
Na afloop van die operasie was ek net na 16.00 terug in Saal H. My aangename ervaring het voortgeduur, selfs toe die nagskof personeel aan diens gekom het. Suster Duncan was uiters sorgsaam en hulpvaardig. Ditto die ander verpleegpersoneel. Ek het regtig n gevoel van kundigheid en vriendelikeid ervaar.
Ek wil ook graag spesiale melding maak van Dr Charl vd Berg en die narkotiseur. Beide het my voor die operasie besoek en weereens verduidelik wat sou volg asook die nodige gerusstelling gegee, wat regtig welkom was. Dieselfde in die teater waar Dr vd Berg my verseker het dat hul mooi na my sou kyk.
Na afloop en terug in die saal, was beide dokters weer by my om te verneem na my toestand asook terugvoer gegee. Dr vd Berg het persoonlik vir my vrou gebel om haar mee te deel dat die operasie afgehandel was. Dit tel baie in my boeke aangesien naasbestaandes altyd wonder en moet inbel om te verneem na vordering met n prosedure.
Dra asseblief my dank oor aan al die betrokkenes. Dit was n great ervaring en ek sal die betrokke dokters en Saal H by Vergelegen Mediclinic aan almal aanbeveel!

Mr T.B. (60yr, arthroscopy left shoulder for removal of calcium in rotator cuff, right shoulder similar procedure doen in 2016)