# Outstanding Specialist Expertise
Areas of Focus
From acute injuries through to chronic conditions of the elbow – we support you with state-of-the-art diagnostic procedures and innovative treatment methods in order to treat a range of conditions and injuries. These include:
Elbow fractures: We carry out surgical procedures to stabilise fractures of the elbow and to repair the damaged tissue.
Epicondylitis (tennis and golfer’s elbow): We offer various surgical techniques to relieve the affected tendons and ease the pain when conservative treatments are not sufficient.
Arthritis: For patients with advanced elbow osteoarthritis we can carry out surgical measures such as joint replacement or joint fusion in order to improve the function of the elbow and ease pain.
Tendon injuries and tendon inflammation: Using arthroscopic or open techniques we can repair or reconstruct damaged tendons in order to restore the stability and function of the elbow.
Our practice offers comprehensive care for patients with fractures of varying severity, from simple through to complex breaks. We use state-of-the-art diagnostic procedures in order to make a precise diagnosis, and offer a wide range of treatment options, including conservative measures such as plaster casts, splints and rehabilitation as well as surgical procedures such as fracture fixation and reconstruction. Our aim is to offer every patient an individually tailored treatment in order to enable a swift recovery and an optimal restoration of function.
The treatment of shoulder osteoarthritis usually comprises a combination of conservative and surgical measures.
The surgical options include shoulder joint arthroscopy to clean out the joint and remove inflamed tissue, the reverse prosthesis (inverse shoulder prosthesis) for patients with severe osteoarthritis and rotator cuff insufficiency, or the shoulder joint prosthesis for partial or complete joint replacement.
Shoulder pain can be caused by a wide variety of factors such as overuse, injuries, inflammation or degenerative conditions.
The individual treatment plan may include conservative measures such as rest and physiotherapy.
For patients with more severe or chronic shoulder pain that does not respond to conservative therapy, we can also offer more advanced treatment methods, including minimally invasive procedures such as arthroscopy or surgical procedures, in order to correct structural problems and improve the function of the shoulder.
We perform a wide range of shoulder surgery procedures in order to treat patients with various shoulder conditions and injuries. These include arthroscopic procedures for the treatment of rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability, bursitis and tendon injuries.
For patients with advanced osteoarthritis or severe injuries we also offer open surgical procedures, including joint reconstruction, shoulder joint replacement and reverse prostheses. These procedures can help to ease pain, restore mobility and improve the function of the shoulder.
Acromioclavicular joint separation, also known as an AC joint injury, is a common injury caused by trauma or a fall onto the shoulder. This injury affects the ligaments and structures at the acromioclavicular joint and can lead to pain, swelling and restricted movement.
In more severe injuries, or in athletes who need a rapid return to activity, surgical treatment may be necessary. The torn ligaments are then reconstructed or the joint is stabilised in order to restore normal shoulder function.
Another focus of our practice is the treatment of calcific tendinitis, a painful condition caused by deposits of calcium in the shoulder tendon.
For patients for whom conservative measures are not sufficient, we also offer surgical options, including arthroscopic procedures to remove the calcium deposits, repair tendon tears and smooth tendons. In some cases open surgery may be necessary in order to remove complex calcium deposits or to repair damaged tissue.
An artificial shoulder joint is usually implanted in a surgical procedure using state-of-the-art techniques and implants. Thanks to many years of expertise, we perform this procedure with the utmost precision in order to ensure an optimal fit and function of the implant.
After the operation we support our patients with an individually tailored rehabilitation programme aimed at restoring the mobility and strength of the shoulder.
The treatment of clavicle fractures depends on various factors, including the severity of the fracture, the patient’s age and level of activity as well as any accompanying injuries. In many cases conservative treatment may be sufficient, comprising rest, pain management and physical therapy. This may include the use of arm slings, splints or special shoulder braces to immobilise the shoulder while the fracture heals.
For more complicated fractures, or cases in which conservative therapy is not successful, surgical intervention may be necessary. Typical surgical options include the use of plates and screws to stabilise the fracture or the insertion of intramedullary nails.
Shoulder arthroscopy can be used to remove inflamed tissue, bone fragments or loose bodies in the joint, or it serves to repair or stabilise the shoulder joint.
During the procedure we insert tiny instruments and a camera into the shoulder through small incisions in order to examine the joint and carry out repairs where necessary.
The advantages of shoulder arthroscopy are a faster recovery, less post-operative pain and less strain on the body compared with traditional open surgery.
We offer targeted tendon therapy to ease pain, promote healing and restore the function of the affected tendon. From conservative approaches such as rest and physiotherapy through to more advanced treatment methods such as surgical procedures, we develop individual treatment plans in order to meet the needs of each patient.
A proximal humerus fracture can arise from various causes such as falls, sports injuries or accidents and requires specialised treatment in order to ensure a swift recovery and restoration of arm function.
We offer both conservative measures such as immobilisation, pain management, physiotherapy and rehabilitation and surgical treatments for complicated or displaced fractures. Surgical procedures such as open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or hemi- or total joint replacement can be used to stabilise the bone fragments and restore the normal function of the upper arm.
# Surgical Expertise
SURGICAL SPECTRUM
Primarily for patients suffering from frequent shoulder dislocations or chronic shoulder instability, this specialised procedure aims to tighten the shoulder joint capsule and to repair damaged or overstretched ligaments.
Typical shoulder stabilisation procedures are:
- Arthroscopic Bankart repair: Where the glenoid labrum is damaged, we suture the detached labrum back onto the shoulder joint, which improves the stability of the joint.
- Latarjet procedure: Particularly where bone damage is present, a piece of bone (often from the shoulder blade) is taken and fixed to the front of the shoulder joint in order to increase stability and prevent further dislocations.
- Capsular shift procedure: Where the joint capsule is excessively lax, we tighten the slack capsule in order to stabilise the joint and control mobility.
Surgical intervention can be an effective solution when conservative treatment methods such as medication or physiotherapy are not sufficient. In early-stage osteoarthritis, where joint wear is not yet very advanced, minimally invasive procedures such as arthroscopic surgery can be helpful. In advanced stages of osteoarthritis, where the joint is severely damaged, joint replacement surgery (arthroplasty) may become necessary. Here the damaged joint is replaced with an artificial joint.
Tendon reconstruction becomes necessary when tendons are damaged by overuse, trauma or age-related wear. Typical indications for such procedures are tears of the rotator cuff, Achilles tendon ruptures, biceps tendon ruptures and similar injuries.
Typical tendon reconstruction procedures are:
- Arthroscopic surgery: A minimally invasive method in which special instruments and a camera are inserted through small incisions in order to repair the tendon. This technique often leads to faster healing and less pain post-operatively.
- Tendon grafting: If the damaged tendon cannot be repaired, a tendon graft from another part of the body or from a donor is used.
- Tendon transfer: With this method a less important tendon near the damaged tendon is relocated in order to take over the function of the defective one.
Impingement syndrome is a common condition that primarily affects the shoulder and is caused by the entrapment of soft tissue between the bony structures. This can lead to pain, inflammation and restricted mobility.
Typical surgical interventions are:
- Arthroscopic surgery: Special instruments are inserted through small incisions in order to remove inflamed tissue or to widen the space for the shoulder tendon. This method is minimally invasive and generally leads to a rapid recovery.
- Subacromial decompression: In this procedure the bone or soft tissue responsible for the entrapment is removed. This can reduce the pressure on the tendons and improve freedom of movement.
Radial head fractures are a common elbow injury that can occur through falls onto the outstretched hand or direct trauma to the elbow. Depending on the type and severity of the fracture, surgical treatment may be necessary.
Typical surgical interventions are:
- Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF): In this procedure the fracture is exposed through an incision and repositioned. The bone fragment is fixed with screws, plates or special pins in order to ensure stable alignment. ORIF enables a precise restoration of the bone anatomy and can accelerate healing as well as the restoration of function.
- Radial head resection: In cases where the fracture is too severely comminuted and cannot be reconstructed stably, partial or complete removal of the radial head may be necessary.
- Prosthetic replacement: In cases of severe comminution, replacement of the radial head with an artificial prosthesis may be an option.
Epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow, is an overuse condition that arises from repetitive movements and strain on the forearm muscles, leading to pain and inflammation at the tendon attachments at the elbow. When conservative treatments such as physiotherapy do not bring improvement, surgical intervention can be considered.
Typical surgical procedure for the treatment of epicondylitis:
Arthroscopic surgery: A minimally invasive option in which small incisions are used to precisely remove inflamed tissue with special instruments and to repair the tendon in a minimally invasive manner. This method generally leads to shorter recovery times and less post-operative pain.
Bursitis at the elbow is a painful inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that lies between bone and soft tissue and acts as a cushion to reduce friction. If conservative treatments such as rest and ice are not effective, surgical removal of the bursa can be considered.
Typical surgical procedure for the treatment of bursitis
Arthroscopic bursectomy: A minimally invasive method in which small incisions are made in order to remove the bursa with specialised instruments, which generally means less scarring and faster healing.
# Gentle Therapies
Conservative Treatment
Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition, leads to joint pain, stiffness and restricted mobility. Conservative treatment aims to ease the symptoms and preserve joint function without surgical intervention. Here are some effective conservative methods:
Physiotherapy: Targeted exercises strengthen the surrounding muscles, improve joint stability and increase mobility. Physiotherapists can also apply manual therapy in order to improve joint function and reduce pain.
The treatment of cartilage damage in the joints aims to improve the condition of the cartilage, ease pain and preserve the functionality of the joint.
Typical conservative treatment methods:
- Physiotherapy: Specially tailored exercises strengthen muscle power, improve the mobility of the joint and reduce the pressure on the damaged cartilage.
- Orthopaedic aids: Splints, bandages or orthopaedic insoles can help to stabilise the joints and distribute the load, which eases pain and protects the cartilage.
Sports medicine consultation is aimed at athletes of all performance levels – from amateurs to professionals – and seeks to prevent injuries, optimise performance and enable a swift and effective rehabilitation after sports injuries.
The conservative treatment of sports injuries is particularly suitable for less severe injuries such as strains, contusions, minor bone fractures or overuse damage.
An individually tailored therapy geared to the specific needs and goals of the athlete is decisive for a successful rehabilitation.
Broken bones can often be treated conservatively, particularly where they are simple or stable fractures in which the bone fragments are well aligned or can easily be aligned. Conservative treatment aims to hold the bone in the correct position while it heals and to minimise pain as well as further injury.
The main components of conservative fracture treatment are:
- Immobilisation: Broken bones are immobilised mostly by means of plaster casts or splints. These support the bone and restrict movement in order to enable correct healing.
- Physiotherapy: After a certain period of healing, physiotherapy can be started in order to improve the mobility and strength of the affected and surrounding areas.
Shockwave therapy can be divided into two main forms: radial shockwave therapy (RSWT) and high-energy shockwave therapy (ESWT). It is an advanced, non-invasive treatment method that is becoming increasingly popular in conservative medicine. It is used in particular for the treatment of chronic pain and to promote the healing of soft tissue and bone injuries.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is used in particular in acute cases.
Manual lymphatic drainage uses specific, light stroking movements to stimulate the lymph vessels and promote the movement of lymphatic fluid through the lymphatic system. This procedure helps to reduce the accumulation of fluid and remove toxins from the body tissue.
Sessions usually last between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the area treated and the specific condition of the patient.
Kinesio taping is a therapeutic technique that involves applying elastic tapes to the skin in order to support the body’s natural healing processes. This method was developed to improve the function of muscles and joints without restricting freedom of movement. It is particularly popular in sports medicine and rehabilitation.
Kinesio taping is used for a wide variety of complaints and conditions, such as muscle injuries (strains and overuse), joint pain (as in arthritis or after injuries), post-operative rehabilitation or to improve muscular endurance and strength in sport.
