Joint replacement surgery, that is also called endoprosthesis or arthroplasty, is replacement of the diseased joint with the implant. Recent advances in the operative orthopedics have reduced risks of the procedure, like pain syndrome, bleeding, or functional deficits.

Joint replacement surgery, that is also called endoprosthesis or arthroplasty, is replacement of the diseased joint with the implant. Recent advances in the operative orthopedics have reduced risks of the procedure, like pain syndrome, bleeding, or functional deficits. Treatment in Germany also includes bone-sparing superficial surgeries with better long-term outcomes in physically active young patients. However, joint replacement is indicated only to the eligible patients. At the beginning of therapy, all the efforts are made for preserving patient’s own joint.

Which problems are solved with joint replacement

The replacement surgery is inevitable in severe arthritis or arthrosis, dysplasia or abnormal joint development, joint fractures, etc. Implantation of the artificial joint resolves a number of issues:

• Restores normal shape of the joint after the mechanical trauma or in dysplasia.
• Alleviates or eliminates pain syndrome.
• Excludes joint swelling and stiffness.
• Improves range of motions, excludes previous limitations during the physical activity.
• As the secondary action, improves general physical capacity and strength of the relevant muscles.

Joint replacement in Germany is mainly performed in adults. Children and teenagers are not the best candidates for the procedure, as growing bones always require the revision surgery for adjusting size and form of the implant. In adults, the revision surgery is required only in case of prosthesis wearing out, displacement, etc.

Under the certain circumstances doctors recommend to postpone the endoprosthesis regardless of the age or symptoms. Such conditions include severe osteoporosis, acute joint infections, and decompensated heart and kidney failure.

Types of the joint replacement surgeries

German hospitals typically perform the total joint replacement of three large joints:

1. Hip replacement that includes replacing head and neck of the femur and resurfacing the acetabulum. In physically active young patients doctors apply more sparing McMinn’s technique. It allows saving the femoral neck and most of the femoral head volume, replacing only the superficial part of the femoral head.
2. Knee joint replacement in Germany includes resurfacing the tibia, femur, and the patella. For improving properties of the gliding surface, a surgeon may insert an additional plastic spacer between the parts of the prosthesis.
3. Shoulder joint replacement resembles hip arthroplasty due to the similarity of joints’ anatomical structure. Artificial implant substitutes glenoid articular surface and head of the humerus. In applied rarely reverse shoulder joint replacement parts of the prosthesis switch places and the ball-shaped part that is typically attached to the humerus, is connected to the glenoid.

Rehabilitation in Germany is the obligatory part of joint replacement that teaches the new joint to work properly. Only comprehensive rehabilitation programs along with qualitative prostheses using can guarantee the beneficial long-term result.

Best orthopedic hospitals in Germany

According to the independent international statistics, the most favorable outcomes of arthroplasty are provided by the specialized European centers. Taking into consideration both scientific and clinical achievements, Germany traditionally ranks one of the leading positions in this list. Best hospitals that offer joint replacement surgeries to foreign patients are:

• Charite University Hospital Berlin.
• University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden.
• Academic Hospital DRK Berlin Westend.
• Orthopedic Center Munich East Munich.
• University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich.

Treatment in Germany for the international patients

German doctors combine approved internationally treatment approaches with the unique own medical developments (e.g. hip resurfacing using Prof. Derek McMinn’s technique). Germany also offers individual postoperative care in the specialized rehabilitation centers.

If you are not a German resident and have little international experience, it will be better for you to use help of the certified medical tourism provider Booking Health. Booking Health is authorized to arrange total joint replacement in Germany for patients from 75 world countries.

Treatment abroad with Booking Health includes:

• Choosing specialized orthopedic hospitals among the leading ones.
• Booking the appointment or surgery date.
• Preliminary elaboration and adjustment of the medical program.
• Independent monitoring of all stages of the program by Booking Health experts.
• Checking cost for medical services, excluding additional coefficients and overpricing.
• Communication with treating physician after the program completion, arrangement of follow-up tests and distant consultations.
• Arrangement of rehabilitation.
• Booking accommodation and tickets, arranging transfer.
• Services of medical translator, interpreter and personal coordinator.