Front

The city of Freiburg is a historic centre of excellence for medical education and research. Freiburg is a top ranking city in the German lifestyle index. © Istockphoto

The Gelenk-Klinik is located in the heart of Western Europe, where Germany, France and Switzerland meet. Our patients benefit from being in an environment which is perfect not only for treatment and recuperation, but also for leisure and tourism.

Freiburg is home to Freiburg University, one of the most important centres of medical training in Germany. The city is the capital of Germany’s famous “Schwarzwald” or Black Forest. An area rich in nature, culture and tradition. Freiburg is easily accessible from Zurich, Basel and Frankfurt airports.

The Orthopaedic Gelenk-Klinik was the first orthopaedic provider to be certified as a Centre for Endoprosthetic Surgery in Baden-Württemberg, Germany according to the strict guidelines (national regulations) of the supervising DGOOC e.V. "EndoprothetikZentrum" (EPZ). This certificate shows:

• Surgical experience of more than 200 successful prosthesis/year
• Excellent surgical quality
• Diagnostic excellence
• Quality of documentation
• Quality of patient counseling and patient support

We congratulate the Senior Doctor Dr. Thomas Schneider and the official coordinator of the auditing process Prof. Dr. Sven Ostermeier for this success on behalf of the team of Orthopaedic Gelenk-Klinik.

What is Shoulder Replacement?

Total shoulder replacement or total shoulder arthroplasty. © Sebastian Kaulitzki - Fotolia.com

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body. The shoulder joint is formed by the upper arm (humerus) and the shoulder socket (Glenoid). Total shoulder arthroplasty replaces both components of the "ball and socket" joint.

As is usual in joint replacement surgery, the ball at the humeral head is replaced by a metal device. The socket component is replaced by a smooth plastic device which replicates the function of the natural cartilage surface.

Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair ©Viewmedica

The rotator cuff is made up of the tendons of four muscles. It surrounds the head of the humerus just as a cuff surrounds the wrist at the end of a sleeve. One part of these muscle attachments is located below the top of the shoulder. These tendons lie between two opposite, movable bones and are therefore easily damaged. The tendons keep the head of the humerus within the joint and provide stability when the arm is moved.

Dr Thomas Schneider, Orthopaedic Expert Consultant for Hip Surgery

Hip resurfacing (McMinn prosthesis) is a bone preserving procedure. Hip resurfacing has the potential to give a high degree of pain-free mobility, particularly to younger patients with severe hip arthritis, who are otherwise in good health. © Gelenk-Klinik

Hip resurfacing surgery or partial hip prosthesis replaces the damaged cartilage and bone of the hip joint. These implants are designed to restore function to a hip joint affected by osteoarthritis.

Dentists have known for a long time that a small area of damage to a tooth is no longer a reason to replace that tooth, instead, they fill or crown the damaged area. This restorative principle has finally been applied to hip replacement surgery.

Osteoarthritis of the hip may require a total hip replacement surgery ©Viewmedica

Total hip replacement surgery is advised in patients for whom the hip joint has been so severely damaged by osteoarthritis, that it is no longer possible to preserve the natural joint through hip resurfacing. In this case, both the femoral head and the socket of the hip joint are replaced by metal and polyethylene components designed to restore pain free mobility. At the Gelenk Klinik our hip specialist is able to offer different designs and materials for the replacement joint and will advise on the most suitable for each individual case. The quality and durability of hip replacement is largely dependant on the expert diagnosis, the skill and experience of the hip specialist. However total hip replacement surgery is one of the most tested and successful joint replacement procedures available today.

Hip specialist approach to treating osteoarthritis of the hip ©Viewmedica

Hip arthroscopy is a procedure which allows the hip specialist to examine (and at the same time treat) the bones, ligaments and cartilage of the hip joint.

Hip arthroscopy is performed as minimally invasive surgery. Two or three small incisions allow microsurgical instruments to access the hip joint. Hip arthroscopy can identify (and often remove) the causes of osteoarthritis of the hip.

The Gelenk Klinik Orthopaedic Hospital understands and supports international patients at every step.

Our health care professionals are striving to understand and acquire all relevant information and share it clearly and effectively with patients and relatives, to ensure not only the best orthopaedic outcome but also treatment experience.

• Evaluation of your treatment options - please send your documents via this website
• Travel Preparation
• Visa arrangements
• Airport Transfer
• Document and Translation Service in almost any language

The certification as foot and ankle surgery centre (ZFS) certifies the superior quality of patient consultations, diagnostics, surgery and after-care for foot and ankle conditions and injuries at the orthopedic hospital Gelenk-Klinik, Gundelfingen.

Highest quality:

• The foot and ankle experts must possess a very high level of surgical experience in foot and ankle joint surgeries.
• The training and advanced training of our specialists is constantly reviewed.
• The quality of diagnostic procedures, surgeries and follow-up care for surgeries is well documented and proven.
• Our patients benefit from tested expert advice and thorough clarification with regard to medical matters.
• Quality assurance is ensured through regular clinic inspections.