Knee Replacement in Germany

Medical tourism guide

Jul 31, 2010

Hospitals and medical centers in Germany offering Knee Replacement.

DRK Kliniken Berlin Berlin, Germany, Knee Replacement is available • Non-profit Hospital • JCI accredited • 450 doctors The DRK Kliniken Berlin is a chain of five JCI accredited tertiary care hospitals in Berlin. The international department is experienced in handling foreign patients and can assist with all necessary arrangements.	Hospital profile Contact

University Medical Center Freiburg Freiburg, Germany, Knee Replacement is available • University Hospital • ISO certified • 1070 doctors The University Medical Center Freiburg is one of the largest medical facilities in Europe and part of the Albert Ludwigs University Freiburg, one of five outstanding centers of academic excellency in Germany.	Hospital profile Contact

About Knee Replacement

What is a Knee Replacement?
Knee replacement, or knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure to replace the weight-bearing surfaces of the knee joint in order to relieve pain and disability. The knee joint is replaced with an artificial joint made of metal alloys, plastics and polymers.

What are the types of Knee replacement?

Total Knee Replacement (TKR):
In a total knee replacement (total knee arthroplasty), the surgeon removes damaged cartilage and bone from the surface of your knee joint and replaces them with a man-made surface of metal and plastic.
Partial Knee Replacement (UKA):
In a partial knee replacement (unicompartmental knee arthroplasty), the surgeon only replaces one part of your knee joint.
Advantages of partial knee replacement include smaller incision, shorter hospital stay, less blood loss, easier post-op rehabilitation, lower risk of infection, blood clots and stiffness, and easier revision if necessary.
Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement Surgery:
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) uses specialized techniques and instrumentation to enable the surgeon to perform major surgery without a large incision.
Minimally invasive knee replacement requires a smaller incision, three to five inches, versus the standard approach which typically requires an eight to twelve inches incision.
Minimally invasive surgery may lead to less pain, decreased recovery time and better motion due to less scar tissue formation.
Revision Knee Replacement Surgery:
Revision knee replacement surgery is done to replace the replacement knee, once it has been worn out.
The revision is usually more complicated and a longer procedure than the original surgery.
There is no set limit to the number of times you can have revision surgery, but it is widely accepted that the artificial knee joint becomes less effective each time it is replaced.

How long would the artificial knee last?
The artificial knee usually lasts between 15-20 years, depending on the type of joint used and how much you strain your new knee.

Duration of procedure/surgery:
A knee replacement operation usually takes 1.5 to 3 hours.

Days admitted:
Usually 3 - 5 days at the hospital.

Anesthesia:
General anaesthesia.

Risks:
Serious complications are rare - fewer than 2% of people undergoing knee replacement surgery experience serious complications.

Risks include:
- Knee stiffness
- Blood clots in the leg vein (thrombophlebitis)
- Blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
- Nerve damage
- Infection
- Heart attack
- Stroke

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Knee Replacement - questions you should ask

Questions you might ask the hospital/clinic when looking for Knee Replacement:

Who will be performing the surgery?
What's their credentials? do they specialize in knee replacement?
What's the cost of knee replacement at your hospital?
What is included in the price?
hospital stay? medications? follow-up?
How many knee replacements are done at your hospital every year?
How many years of experience do your specialists have with knee replacement surgeries?
Do you use minimally invasive techniques to speed the recovery and minimise the downtime?
What implants do you use?
What are the risks?
Is there physical therapy after the surgery?
If coming from abroad - How long do we stay in the country after the operation?
If coming from abroad - can a family member stay with the patient at the hospital?
If yes, how much extra does it cost?
If coming from abroad - can the hospital arrange for nearby accommodation?

What effects the prices of Orthopedic Surgery:

Hospital pricing policy
Surgeon's reputation and experience
Surgery techniques used
Type of anesthesia used
Types of materials used - for hip and knee replacements, etc
Length of stay in hospital
Type of room you choose to stay in
Follow-up visits required
Medications

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