Specialist & General
Orthopaedic Surgeon in George.
Meet Dr. Tom Barrett, a specialist & general Orthopaedic surgeon serving the George community as well as the surrounding areas in the Garden Route: Mossel Bay, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Oudtshoorn for over 20 years.
Dr. Tom Barrett is a George-based Orthopaedic surgeon, who is trained and has extensive experience in all aspects of Orthopaedic surgery, providing care for a broad range of musculoskeletal conditions. He is a member of the South African Orthopaedic Association, the South African Arthroplasty Society and the George Specialist Association.
Dr. Barrett’s practice is focused on joint replacement surgery, with a high-volume practice in this specialist field. With 2, 500+ hip and knee replacements already performed, he conducts over 200 procedures per year, primarily hip and knee replacements and shoulder arthroplasty.
In addition to primary replacement surgery, Dr. Barrett is also able to perform complex revision cases. He has conducted successful revision replacements of hips, knees and shoulders for a wide range of conditions including loosening, prosthetic issues, infection and fractures around prostheses.
His approach to treatment is centered around thorough, individualised care. Patients are assessed, and surgeries are performed based on evidence-based implant choice (such as the Evolution Medial Pivot Knee prosthesis) and technique (such as the utilisation of theSuperpath technique for hip replacement cases). Dr. Barrett has previously used computer-guided replacement surgery and robotic surgery, and has ongoing engagement with advances in surgical technique and technology.
Post-surgery, patients receive structured rehabilitation and recovery support with a highly experienced team.
The community in George, and being able to serve them, is where Dr. Barrett’s passion lies. For the local people to be able to say, “I have an Orthopaedic doctor near me” is a point of pride. He aims to be affordable without compromising on his service, and works with medical aid providers as much as possible to ensure all treatment is within reach for all patients.
Dr. Barrett is affiliated with Mediclinic Southern Africa and constantly shares his insights via his active LinkedIn presence.
Services
Dedicated Orthopaedic surgeries focused on improved mobility and exceptional recovery.
.avif)
Hip Replacement Surgery
Replacing a damaged, worn out, or injured hip so the patient can get back to living without pain.
Knee Replacement Surgery
Repairing and restoring knee pain and functionality and with it, the ability to walk, sleep, and move freely again.
Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Restoring a shoulder affected by arthritis or injury, so the arm can perform to normal functionality.
Arthroscopic Surgery
Precise keyhole surgery for knee and shoulder injuries, with minimal disruption and a fast return to normal life.
Muscle & Tendon Repair
Getting patients back to full strength by repairing torn or ruptured muscles and tendons.
Ligament Surgery
Rebuilding the ligaments that keep a joint stable, so the giving-way feeling becomes a thing of the past.
Trauma
Expert doctor care for broken bones and serious injuries.
Common Causes of Injury
Sports injuries:
- Repair of muscle and tendon injuries
- Repair of damaged ligaments
- Joint dislocations and sprains
- Overuse injuries
Trauma-related injuries:
- Fractures and broken bones that require doctor intervention
- Impact injuries from falls or accidents
- Crush injuries
- Road traffic accident injuries
- Workplace injuries
- Cartilage damage
Lifestyle & occupational injuries:
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Postural injuries from prolonged sitting or manual labour
Age-related/Degenerative conditions:
- Arthritis (osteo and rheumatoid)
- Tendon degeneration
- Joint wear and tear
Post-surgical/Reconstruction requirements:
- Revision surgeries
- Complications from previous procedures
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about my orthopedic services. If you still have a question, feel free to contact us using the button below.
This depends on the type of procedure performed. Most patients are encouraged to begin gentle, assisted movement within 24–48 hours to aid circulation and recovery. Weight-bearing and independent walking timelines vary, but Dr. Barrett and our excellent dedicated physiotherapist, Elbe, will guide you through a personalised rehabilitation plan to restore mobility safely.
Most patients can return to driving between 4 – 6 weeks after surgery, though this varies depending on the procedure, which limb was operated on, and your individual recovery progress.
Pain management is a priority. We usually use regional or local anaesthesia to make sure the patient wakes up in a pain-free state, or as close to it as possible. We also sometimes use patient controlled analgesia if needed.
Revision surgery is considered when a previous procedure has not achieved the desired outcome, or where implants, repairs, or reconstructions have deteriorated over time. Revision surgery may also be recommended following complications such as infection, implant failure, or persistent pain that has not responded to conservative treatment.
Dr. Barrett’s practice is open from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
We use the Medical Aid billing tariff. We are affiliated with almost all Medical Aid providers to use their billing schedule. Patients can pay in cash, however it is preferred that all billing run through Medsol, the company that handles our billing.
Book an Appointment
Take the first step toward a better quality of life today.