PRETORIUS SWANEPOEL AND DE MUELENAERE PRETORIA, Gauteng

I had a really good experience with this company. I went in for spinal fusion and they supplied me with a brace. Like the other reviewers, the brace was uncomfortable and did hurt a bit, but once I got used to it, it was ok. The lady that fitted it knew what she was doing and was very helpful. We are with discovery and even though it was an in hospital procedure there was a minimal pay in of R100, which was from discovery's side. Its unfortunate that others experience wasn't like mine. If needed I would use them again.

I had a neck operation on 4February 2022. The Representative firstly gave me a neck brace that was a new product that she did not even know. It was way to big for me and pushed into the back of my head in ICU for 3 days over a weekend, the pain was excruciating. The Physiotherapist did try to adjust the brace but also had no product knowledge. After three days of lying on my back not able to move with the wrong brace, I had more neck and back spasms than before my operation. I had to ask the head of the nursing ward to get hold of her so that they can take a look at the brace and correct their mistake. A new brace was provided with no instructions, please understand that after a major neck operation you are dependent on the specialists to provide you with the correct product and product knowledge. Your body has gone through trauma and you are weak and cannot do much without assistance. The new brace was better, but once again no instruction was given on how the brace settings work. Once home my headaches did not subdue until I had my husband look in detail at the settings of the brace and only then did we figure out that the settings on the brace was not correct as to deliver maximum protection to my neck and was still pushing into the back of my neck and top backside. The first communication for payment request that I received is today, 2 and 1/2 weeks after my surgery by a Debt Collecting Company by the name of Medsol that Pretorius Swanepoel and de Muelenare uses. I have no problem paying the company, but surely and invoice for what I need to pay would be nice. No invoice had been provided to me, I do not know what I am paying for, I had to google the Firm name to form an idea of what the demand could be for. I just feel that is it very unprofessional to not provide a client with an invoice and just mail a final demand 2 and 1/2 weeks later without any communication to me as client.

We asked them specifically if the medical aid is going to pay for the product they sold to us in-hospital, they confirmed that it would be covered 100%. After returning home they started harassing us for payment. Dodgy business bringing the field of medical practice in disrepute.

Be careful of PDM Pretorius De Muelenaere & Associates ORTHOPAEDIC SERVICES in Pretoria East. While I was a patient at Pretoria East Hospital recently, an orthotist from PDM Orthopaedic Services, consulted me about a medical device before my procedurec-section. In my husband's presence I specifically asked her if she knew whether our medical aid pays for it or not. She answered that our medical aid indeed pays for it. In the paperwork I signed it specifically states that the customer must confirm with the medical aid whether they pay for it or not. Seeing that I specifically asked the orthotist and she confirmed, I did not confirm with the medical aid. The medical aid rejected the claim and I had to pay for it myself. The medical device was a nice-to-have and not essential. If I knew that the medical aid would not pay for it, I would not have taken it. If she answered that she did not know, I would have confirmed with the medical aid myself before taking the medical device. I feel the orthotist was unprofessional and gave me the wrong information resulting in my financial loss. I contacted the owner of PDM Orthopaedic Services and stated my displeasure with the situation...with no understanding or admittance of guilt on their side. While indisposed in hospital, you are put to the mercy of salespeople not only taking advantage of your situation, but lying to you as well. Be warned...do not fall victim to PDM Orthopaedic Services.

Excellent Service: On two occasions the past month they gave me valuable advice concerning two different patients. They sent me in the right direction, provided phone numbers and referred me to other orthotists that were closer to the patient's homes. They were very kind and helpful.

My mother went in for a back operation they have supplied her with a brace that just hurts her so much and is so big for her and supplies no support

From a very unprofessional call answering to empty promises of getting back to you, these orthotists surely aren’t in the service providing industry. Their unprofessional don’t-care attitude gives the impression that they do not need any more clients. It would be a waist of time, to try and do business with them.

Excellent service. Thank you DeLa Ray!