HAND & UPPER LIMB
FOOT & ANKLE
LIMB LENGTHENING & RECONSTRUCTION
NEUROSURGEON
Dr. Wickus Neethling
MBChB, MMed (Neurosurgery), FC Neurosurg (SA), GSD
ABOUT
Dr. Neethling completed his neurosurgical training through the University of the Witwatersrand, and holds both the MMed (Neurosurgery) degree from Wits University as well as the FC Neurosurg (SA) qualification from the College of Neurosurgeons of South Africa, obtained in 2024. He further pursued a focused spinal fellowship under Dr. Johan Davis at IOR Winelands Mediclinic and Prof Ian Vlok at Tygerberg Hospital. His academic spine development was strengthened further with the completion of the AO Spine Global Diploma, reflecting his commitment to international standards and lifelong professional growth.
In clinical practice, Dr. Neethling manages the full spectrum of spinal and cranial pathology, with a particular passion for complex cervical conditions as well as metastatic and primary spinal tumours. He believes that surgery should always be a carefully considered decision; he prioritizes conservative therapy whenever appropriate, reserving surgical intervention for cases where it offers clear, meaningful benefits to the patient.
Beyond the operating theatre, Dr. Neethling is an active researcher and educator. He has presented at numerous national and international neurosurgical meetings and has received several awards for research and platform presentations. His research interests include sagittal balance, timing and outcomes in spinal trauma, and spinal oncology – research that he directly applies to refine surgical strategies and improve long-term patient quality of life. He participates actively in teaching neurosurgical registrars and medical students at Tygerberg Hospital and remains involved in academic development through major spine meetings such as SASS, CTISS, and NSpine.
Dr. Neethling is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and is an active member of AO Spine, the South African Spine Society and the Society of Neurosurgeons of South Africa (SNSA). Above all, he strives to deliver evidence-based care guided by compassion and clear communication, ensuring every patient feels heard, understood, and supported throughout their treatment journey.
PROFILE
| HPCSA Number | MP0806706 |
| Practice Number | 1216015 |
| 2014 | MBChB, University of Pretoria |
| 2024 | FC Neurosurg (SA), Colleges of Medicine |
| 2024 | MMed (Neurosurgery), University of the Witwatersrand |
| 2025 | Global Spine Diploma, AO Spine |
- WFNS 2023 – A two-year follow-up for 23 patients treated with Flexible endoscope assisted suture release (FEASR) and barrel stave osteotomy.
- Biennial Wits Research Day 2023 – A novel technique for the correction of sagittal synostosis: Flexible endoscope assisted suture release (FEASR) and barrel stave osteotomy.
- SNSA 2022 – Flexible endoscope assisted suture release (FEASR) and barrel stave osteotomy for the correction of sagittal synostosis .
Poster Presentations
- WNFS 2023 – Epstein-Barr virus-associated smooth muscle tumor involving the spine of an HIV-infected paediatric patient: A Case Report.
- Biennial Wits Research Day 2023 – Long-term outcomes of flexible endoscope assisted suture release for the correction of sagittal synostosis.
- Biennial Wits Research Day 2023 – Low-cost production of postoperative cranial orthotic helmets for the LMIC setting.
- SNSA 2022 – Low-cost production of cranial moulding helmet in a LMIC setting.
- Colleges of Medicine of South Africa: Fellowship of the College of Neurosurgeons of South Africa
- AO Spine
- The South African Spine Society
- Society of Neurosurgeons of South Africa (SNSA)
CONTACT
Institute of Orthopaedics and Rheumatology
CONSULTING HOURS
Monday, Tuesday, Friday
08:00 – 16:00