Aaqilah Jappie

Physiotherapist.

I am an extroverted, empathetic, skilled physiotherapy professional, with a thorough approach to evaluations, treatment planning and patient education. I am dedicated to improving quality of life and function. I have an interest in Orthopaedic rehabilitation with experience in in-patient treatment as well as out-patient treatment. Although my interests lie in orthopaedics, I have some experience in neurology, respiratory and paediatric physiotherapy, and I am open to improving my skills in these areas. 

My interests outside of work are reading, finding new restaurants to try with friends and finding fun ways to exercise, I love doing Zumba and mixed martial arts, taking a specific interest in Muay Thai. 

April 2022 – Current

Physiotherapist at Diedericks Physiotherapists Inc. situated at Vincent Pallotti Hospital, Cape Town South Africa. Vincent Pallotti Hospital (VPH) is a private hospital with over 200 beds, consisting of a trauma centre, orthopaedic, maternity, general and paediatric ward, as well as a medical, surgical, neonatal, and general ICU and a high care unit. There is also a Renal unit, rehabilitation centre and mental health facility.

At VPH I work with one of the best pelvic specialists in Africa, patients from all around the country and the continent come to see him for pelvic surgeries which include acetabular open reduction internal fixation, and sacroiliac joint screws. I am also privileged to work with another specialist, one of the few doctors which specialise in Lower Limb Lengthening procedures/surgeries.

In-patient conditions seen: In the orthopaedic ward - Total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, fractures such as ankle, femur, Tibia/Fibula, pelvic sustained from traumas, such as motor vehicle accidents, motorbike accidents, falls, spinal vertebroplasty’s, kyphoplasty’s and decompressions, pelvic fractures. Tibial plateau fractures, lower limb lengthening procedures and external fixators. In the ICU for polytrauma and critical patients, which could include chest physiotherapy.

Out-Patient conditions seen: Lower back pain, cervical pain, shoulder pain, total hip arthroplasty rehabilitation, total knee arthroplasty rehabilitation, ankle rehabilitation post-operative after 6 weeks in a POP, Achilles Tendon rehabilitation, Meniscus injury rehabilitation, spinal stenosis, patellofemoral pain syndrome. 

My clinical duties include assessing referred and walk-in patients’ physical conditions to identify and plan an appropriate treatment regimen. Liaising with other healthcare professionals such as nurses and physicians to provide a multidisciplinary, holistic care plan to improve patients’ health. Improve patients range of motion and assisting in muscle re-education and strengthening. Gait re-training of patients with the use of assistive devices. Educating patients and their families to lead healthy lifestyles to prevent injury and disability. Designing specific goal-oriented exercise programs tailored to the individual patient dependent on their condition.

Part of my clinical duties include working in a step-down rehabilitation unit. This was advantageous to me, as I was able to manage patients from their pre-admission assessment to treatment in hospital post operatively, and then follow through with their rehabilitation at the step-down facility and finally as an out-patient and reintegration into their home and community environments.

My administrative duties include patient record/note keeping, billing using ICD10 codes and patient progress reports as well as patient referrals.

Manual therapy techniques used while treating patients include specific soft tissue massage (SSTM), Myofascial Release (MFR) and Dry Needling. Chest physiotherapy which included percussions, vibrations and shaking as well as suctioning. Electrotherapy modalities used include Ultrasound, Interferential therapy, Heat therapy and Hydrotherapy. 

Assistive devices used with mobility and gait re-education include elbow and auxiliary crutches, walking frames and sticks as well as wheelchair training.

May 2022 – September 2022

Locum Physiotherapist at Leigh Gardener Physiotherapy – Netcare Blauuwberg Hospital, Cape Town South Africa. This hospital has 143 beds and is known as a level 2 trauma centre. Facilities include six theatres, a cardiac catheterisation laboratory, neonatal, adult, and paediatric intensive care units, as well as maternity, paediatric, medical, surgical and day wards. 

In-Patient conditions seen: Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), Pneumonia

Out-patient conditions seen: Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis.

My clinical duties included assessing referred patients’ physical conditions to identify and plan an appropriate treatment regimen using Neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) methods. Liaising with other healthcare professionals such as nurses and physicians to provide a multidisciplinary, holistic care plan to improve patients’ health. Improve patients range of motion and assisting in muscle re-education and strengthening. Gait re-training of patients with the use of assistive devices such as crutches and walking frames as well as using wheelchairs to improve mobility. Educating patients and their families to lead healthy lifestyles to prevent injury and disability. Creating specific goal-oriented exercise programs tailored to the individual patient dependent on their condition.

My administrative duties included patient record/note keeping, billing and patient progress reports as well as patient referrals.

January 2021 – December 2021

Community Service Physiotherapist at Kuruman District Hospital – Northern Cape, South Africa. The hospital has 64 beds and the following clinical departments: outpatients, emergency/casualty, medicine, surgery, obstetrics, paediatrics and psychiatry. A community service year is a compulsory year done in South Africa once you have graduated as a physiotherapist. Compulsory community service is an effective strategy for recruiting health professionals to rural and underserved areas.

Working in a rural setting, where there were very limited resources, taught me to become creative with my treatments, it made me think outside of the box and move away from my comfort zone. I also lived alone for the first time, away from my family, mixing with many different people and cultures.

In-Patient conditions seen - Cerebral vascular accident’s, Traumatic brain injuries, Tuberculosis, Meningitis, Acute Kidney Disease/ Renal failure, Chronic cardiac failure, Lower limb fractures, intercostal drains for pneumo/haemothorax., Burns, Spinal cord injuries. Paediatric conditions seen in-hospital – Mild and Severe Acute Malnutrition, Burns, spinal cord injuries, 

Out-Patient conditions seen – Osteo-Arthritis, Lower back pain, Scoliosis, lower limb fractures, Amputations, CVA’s, TBI’s, Sciatica/Piriformis Syndrome, Cx Radiculopathy, Frozen Shoulder, Spinal cord injuries. Paediatric conditions seen in an out-patient setting - Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Scoliosis, Developmental delay, juvenile osteo-arthritis.

My clinical duties included assessing referred and walk-in patients’ physical conditions to identify and plan an appropriate treatment regimen. Liaising with other healthcare professionals such as nurses and physicians to provide a multidisciplinary, holistic care plan to improve patients’ health. Improve patients range of motion and assisting in muscle re-education and strengthening. Gait re-training of patients with the use of assistive devices. Educating patients and their families to lead healthy lifestyles to prevent injury and disability. Creating specific goal-oriented exercise programs tailored to the individual patient dependent on their condition.

As part of a community outreach program, as a multidisciplinary team, we visited 13 different clinics in the district to provide the community with allied-health services, especially those who could not get to the hospital. We also did home visits.

My administrative duties included patient record/note keeping, patient referrals and weekly hospital clinical meetings.

Graduated from the University of the Western Cape in 2020 with a Bsc. Physiotherapy degree. Received academic merit in Ethics.

Matriculated from Mondeor High School In 2014. I was a member of the RCL Executive (Prefect), Public Speaking Chairperson, Head of First Aid, Sports Committee Co-Chairperson.