Artificial Hip and Knee Joint Replacement

I perform about 150 joint replacement surgeries per year.

Artificial Hip Joint

If the cartilage layer on the hip joint is severely damaged or destroyed, according to current medical knowledge it cannot be rebuilt by any medication or other therapeutic measure. The progressive joint damage cannot be reversed either. The only effective solution to alleviate the symptoms is surgery and the implantation of a hip prosthesis. I use particularly durable implants that have performed exceptionally well in studies. The prosthesis parts are made of newly developed high-performance ceramics (sliding pairings) and titanium-forged alloys (anchoring in the bone).

Surgery

A hip prosthesis can be used to restore an intact joint that comes as close as possible to its natural healthy state. The hip surgery is performed using a so-called minimally invasive approach to the lateral hip circumference (ALMIS method).

The musculature there is not cut as usual but pushed to the side, protecting the soft tissues. This gentle surgical technique keeps the discomfort after the procedure as minimal as possible in order to achieve rapid remobilisation. With this surgical technique, drainage is no longer used, and the skin is glued with a special adhesive so that no suture removal is necessary. From the third day after the surgery it is possible to walk in the sanatorium without crutches in the room, after the discharge you don’t need walking sticks at home as you can move more freely. For safety reasons, however, you should use crutches or walking sticks for up to three weeks after surgery (poor coordination of the gait pattern after surgery).

Artificial Knee Joint

Inflammations of the knee as a result of excessive strain are primarily treated by rest. However, if the cartilage layer on the knee joint is severely damaged or destroyed, as far as we know today it cannot be rebuilt with any medication or other therapeutic measure. The progressive joint damage cannot be reversed either. In this case, surgical intervention is advisable.

Surgery

A surface replacement of the knee joint can restore an intact joint that comes as close as possible to its natural healthy state. Furthermore, deformed joint axes, as they occur in the O-leg or X-leg, are also corrected during the surgery, so that the treated patient has “straight legs” again after the surgery. The surgery is performed via a so-called minimally invasive approach. Only implants that have performed well in studies are used. If desired, individualised cut blocks or implants for the knee joint can also be used, which are custom-made after precise radiological measurement. A gentle surgical technique keeps the discomfort after surgery as minimal as possible in order to achieve rapid remobilisation. With this surgical technique, drainage is no longer used, and the skin is glued with a special adhesive so that no suture removal is necessary. From the third day after the surgery it is possible to walk in the sanatorium without crutches in the room, after the discharge you don’t need walking sticks at home as you can move freely. For safety reasons, however, you should use crutches or walking sticks for up to three weeks after surgery (poor coordination of the gait pattern after surgery).

Hemispheric Sledge or Partial Joint Replacement of the Knee Joint

In very rare and strict indications, when only the inner or outer so-called compartment of the knee joint is damaged, and the other cartilage covers, and ligament structures are undamaged, a so-called hemi-sledge can be implanted. This is a small surface replacement of an arthritic part of the knee joint. This technique has become increasingly reliable and safe in recent years due to the improved biomechanics and mobility of the joints and the shorter rehabilitation phase following the surgery.

Learn more about the procedure of a surgery.