Hip Surgery Germany

The pain in the hip and groin increases gradually with femoral head necrosis. © freeograph, Adobe

Femoral head necrosis refers to the death of living bone tissue in the hip joint. Due to reduced blood flow, the hip bone demineralises and loses its stability. Those affected feel pain in the groin during exertion, mainly when the leg is rotated inwards. In later stages, the pain occurs at rest as well.

Femoral head necrosis in adults appears to be a typical disease of civilisation. Similar to cardiac infarction, hip infarction is also caused by risk factors such as smoking, high blood lipid levels and excessive alcohol consumption. Another risk factor that has become increasingly important in recent years is treatment with cortisone, especially when administered intravenously.

Femoral head necrosis occurs primarily in patients between 35 and 45 years of age. Men are more frequently affected than women. Death of the femoral head extremely reduces the quality of life of those affected. Femoral head necrosis is bilateral in 30-70% of cases. If treatment is not administered at an early stage, irreparable damage to the hip joint can occur, leading to accelerated hip osteoarthritis, even though the cartilage itself is not directly affected by the circulatory disorder.

The femoral neck connects the thigh to the hip joint. Osteoporosis reduces bone density and increases the chance of fractures in the event of a fall. © peterschreiber.media, Adobe Stock

Femoral neck fractures are among the most common injuries in adults over 65 years. They are typically caused by a fall that follows a trivial incident such as tripping on the pavement or in the home. Pre-existing osteoporosis further increases the risk of a femoral neck fracture after a fall.

The fracture can cause severe stabbing pain in the hip after the fall. In some cases, the femoral neck does not break completely or the strong muscles in the thigh still hold the fragments together.

For the elderly, a femoral neck fracture is often a dramatic event with a high risk for complications during the healing process. The mobility and independence of the injured person often decline significantly after a femoral neck fracture. Often patients cannot even manage short distances, become bedridden and decline physically and mentally. In our experience, the mortality rate of seniors also increases considerably.

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.

Dr. Martin Rinio, MD, Orthopedist, Surgeon and Trauma Surgeon

Dr. Martin Rinio has special surgery experience in hip, knee and shoulder prostheses. Working well with general practitioners is particularly important to him in ensuring patients receive comprehensive care.

Dr. med Thomas Schneider, Orthopaedic Specialist, Foot and Ankle, Hip Surgery

• Orthopaedic Specialist at the Gelenk Klinik Orthopaedic Hospital
• PhD (1997) University of Freiburg
• Orthopaedic Specialist since 2004
• Expert Consultant for Arthroscopic Ankle and Foot Surgery
• Ankle Replacement Surgery
• Ligament Reconstruction
• Total Hip Replacement (McMinn)
• Cartilage Replacement
• Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery
• Languages: English and German

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.

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.

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.