The Orthopaedic Department was created at the start of UZ Brussel, towards the end of the 1970s. At the time, the Department had only two surgeons: prof. Opdecam and prof. Casteleyn treated both Elective Orthopaedic Diseases and Traumatology cases. Driven by prof. Opdecam, the service rapidly developed into a fully-fledged Department. The Department was then subdivided into subspecialisms to address the growing needs for greater specialisation in Orthopaedics. In first instance, the Child Orthopaedic Unit was established. Prof. De Boeck was dispatched to England and France as a young graduate to learn the tricks of the trade. During the following 20 years, he built up a Child Orthopaedic Unit with a solid reputation. Prof. Opdecam took charge of Hip Surgery and prof. Casteleyn Knee Surgery. During the 1980s, with the arrival of Knee Arthroscopy, the Orthopaedic Department at UZ Brussel assumed a leading role in this area. Several years later, prof. Casteleyn was given the opportunity to complete his doctorate in this field. Dr. Handelberg and Prof. Haentjens joined the team in a second phase. Dr. Handelberg developed the Shoulder Surgery and Sports Traumatology Units, prof. Haentjens was put in charge of Hand Surgery and Traumatology. Under prof. Opdecam’s supervision, this ‘hard core’ formed the backbone of the Orthopaedic Department during more than 20 years.

Following prof. Opdecam’s retirement in 2000, the Department further expanded under the leadership of prof. Casteleyn. Dr. Scheerlinck took over the Hip Surgery activities from prof. Opdecam and expanded these further. Dr. Vorlat was hired to practice Back and Foot Surgery. Subsequently, prof. Pouliart and dr. Dezillie also joined the service to enhance the Shoulder Surgery and Traumatology offer. At the beginning of 2007, prof. Haentjens left the Department to concentrate exclusively on clinical research.