How to Start WALANT Practice in South Africa: “Service With a Smile if You Are Willing to Wait Awhile.”
Rocher AGL, O’Connor M, Koch O.
The implementation of the South African Orthopaedic Registry (SAOR)
Bussio HT, Swart X, O’Connor M, Khanyile S, Koch O
The prevalence of vascular injury utilising the lateral parapatellar approach for malignant distal femoral tumour resections
Koch O, Le Roux TLB, McLoughlin H, Meijer JG, Van der Watt NP.
Indications for surgical reintervention following reverse shoulder arthroplasty
Du Plessis CP, Janse van Rensburg C, Koch O, Le Roux TLB.
Incidence of deep vein thrombosis following shoulder replacement surgery: a prospective study
Du Plessis CP, Janse van Rensburg C, Koch O, Le Roux TLB.
Deep infection rate resulting in reoperation in minor hand surgery with wide-awake local anaesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) under field sterility in an outpatient setting
Koch O, le Roux T, Olorunju S, Rademan L, Skosana LL.
Positive patient experience of WALANT hand surgery in the government setting
Koch O, Le Roux TLB. Naude JJ, Schmidt LW.
Wide awake local anaesthesia no tourniquet: a review of current concepts
O’Connor M, Koch O, Rocher AGL.
Grip strength following total wrist arthrodesis using the same hand as reference: a prospective study
Alexander AN, Koch O, Le Roux TL, McLoughlin HA, Olorunju S.
7 Tips for Choosing an Orthopaedic Surgeon
A short guide.
Risk factors for complication requiring reintervention following reverse shoulder arthroplasty: a retrospective study 2011–2021
du Plessis JG, Koch O, le Roux T, O’Connor M.
A few of the Past Presidents of the SAOA
From left to right. Front row: Theo le Roux, Odette Koch, Anton Scheepers, Jos van Niekerk, Gert Vlok Back row: Brian Bernstein, Mthunzi Ngcelwane, Robert Dunn, Philip Webster, Allan van Zyl and Pradeep Makan
At fireside poster presentation SAOA congress 2023
At SAOA President Dinner 2023
Professor Odette Koch held office as the 47th President of the South African Orthopaedic Association (SAOA) from 2024 to 2025, and was the first woman in the association’s history to hold this distinguished position.
I was deeply honoured to receive a signed All Blacks rugby jersey from Richie McCaw, Israel Dagg, and Colin Slade at the NZOA ASM Gala Dinner in October 2025. In a light-hearted moment, they “selected” me as the scrum half of the Carousel Team. As a passionate student of the game, I couldn’t resist acknowledging the Springboks’ recent record-breaking win in Wellington earlier that year. Meeting these rugby legends and receiving this jersey was a truly memorable highlight—one I will always treasure.
In a fun twist, Israel Dagg dared me, a devoted Springbok supporter, to try on the All Blacks jersey—an offer I had to take!
At the official opening of the SAOA Congress 2025 at the CSIR
From left to right. Front row: Theo le Roux, Odette Koch, Anton Scheepers, Jos van Niekerk, Gert Vlok Back row: Brian Bernstein, Mthunzi Ngcelwane, Robert Dunn, Philip Webster, Allan van Zyl and Pradeep Makan
At New Zealand Ortopaedic Association on representing SAOA
At New Zealand Ortopaedic Association on representing SAOA
It is an honour to represent the SAOA and present at the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association’s Annual Scientific Meeting in the beautiful city of Queenstown in October 2025.
At Australian Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting 2025 in Hobart Tazmania representing SAOA
With fellow presidents of the Carousel at Australian Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting 2025 Hobart Tazmania, representing SAOA
Carousel session SAOA Congress 2022
From left to right, front row:
Kyle Jeray, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons;
Odette Koch, representing SAOA;
Olufemi Ayeni, Canadian Orthopaedic Association
Back row:
Mark Bowditch, British Orthopaedic Association;
Khalid Mohammed, New Zealand Orthopaedic Association;
Scott Fletcher, Australian Orthopaedic Association;
Paul Tornetta III, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
The Jewels of the office of the Carousel Associations
Facing upright, from left to right:
The Jewel of Office, featuring the maroon ribbon and the protea and springbok emblem, was bestowed upon the South African Orthopaedic Association (SAOA) on 30 June 1952 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.
This honour formally included the SAOA in the Carousel of the Orthopaedic Nations, a distinguished international circle representing orthopaedic associations from around the world. As the representative of the SAOA, the office bearer participates in visits to fellow member nations, strengthening professional and academic ties.
