Symptoms, diseases and medical Treatment
Knee
In addition to primary osteoarthritis of the knee joint, injuries to the joint often play a role in the development of complex destruction, which cannot be treated conservatively or only unsatisfactorily due to functional limitations. The most common changes affect the menisci, which require treatment both after injuries and degenerative changes. In addition, damage to the ligamentous apparatus with subsequent cartilage defects is extremely prevalent. Post-traumatic damage, such as fractures of the tibial plateau, even if operated on, often lead to osteoarthritis of the joint. Many years of treating top German and foreign athletes and routine care of patients with primary and secondary osteoarthritis of the knee joint based on the results of international studies have led to a treatment algorithm that takes into account the needs of the individual patient.Conservative treatment consists of prescribing medication and physiotherapy, but can at best delay the consequences of wear and tear. Surgical treatment is the only sensible option.
Medical solutions
Endoscopic surgery
The standard for incipient degenerative processes is endoscopic knee joint surgery, whether for meniscus damage, early traumatic damage or cartilage defects. The method is established like no other and has been tried and tested for over 40 years. Endoscopy of the joint can be supplemented by various methods. Not only the removal of damaged structures is important here, it is also possible to reconstruct menisci or ligaments in this way. Cartilage transplantation is also very important.
Reconstruction with miniinvasive approach
In addition to the endoscopic approach, the miniinvasive approach to the knee joint plays a major role; the aforementioned procedures can sometimes be extended using a minimized approach, or a partial prosthesis of a joint compartment is considered – so-called sled prostheses – here too, the minimized approach is extremely helpful, as the subsequent mobilization of the patient can take place quickly.
Total knee replacement
If no other option remains at the end of all efforts, total knee replacement is the method of choice. The replacement of the joint is usually linked to the initial conditions, and a large selection of prostheses is available. All of these implants take the initial joint situation into account. However, the surgeon’s experience is crucial. Our surgeons will always be guided by the patient’s individual initial conditions and proceed according to the principles of European endoprosthetic treatment.
Revision surgery
Until a few years ago, revision surgery of the knee joint, whether endoscopic or open, whether reendoscopy or prosthesis replacement, was extremely controversial, as the results certainly appeared problematic. However, the systematization of various studies on this topic and increasing experience show that repeated interventions can improve the function of the joint and thus the patient’s quality of life. The surgeon’s experience is crucial, which is why every revision should be presented to an experienced colleague.
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Aspen Peterson
Two-Level Disc Replacement
At 26 years old, I was living with severe, chronic back pain that made everyday activities—like sitting through a movie—nearly impossible. After exhausting all conservative treatment options, I underwent a two-level disc replacement surgery performed by Dr. Karsten Ritter-Lang in Germany.
