As of: February 21, 2024, 2:21 p.m
Comments
Press
Split
Chief physician Dr.
Artur Klaiber (left) and senior physician Dr.
Rudolf Weber advises and operates on people with joint problems at the Ebersberg district clinic.
© Photo: Ebersberg District Clinic
In our aging society, osteoarthritis and signs of wear and tear are becoming more and more common and reducing the quality of life of those affected.
Many restrictions can be eliminated with an artificial joint.
We spoke to Dr.
Artur Klaiber, chief physician of trauma surgery and orthopedics at the Ebersberg district clinic, and senior physician Dr.
Rudolf Weber.
District -
The Ebersberg EndoProsthetic Center was founded at the district clinic ten years ago.
Artificial joints for the shoulders, hips and knees are implanted here.
Why are artificial joints necessary at all?
Dr. Klaiber
: The most common reason is joint wear.
The cartilage that normally protects the joints is broken down or remodeled through wear, misalignment or hereditary defects, so that normal movement of the joint is only possible with pain or is no longer possible.
However, since we also treat all accidents in the clinic, we see approximately the same number of patients with osteoarthritis as accidental injuries.
Dr. Weber:
In addition to the initial implantations, we also carry out replacement operations, i.e. the installation of artificial joints to replace a prosthesis.
The durability of prostheses is now estimated at between 25 and 30 years.
We get our prostheses from the market leader, not from China, by the way, and the workmanship and materials are of very high quality.
We select based on quality, not price.
Nevertheless, in very old people, due to osteoporosis, the transition between the cement mantle and the bone can change, so that a replacement becomes necessary earlier than would be expected based on statistical average.
How does the operation work in the Ebersberg district clinic?
Dr. Weber
: Apart from accident patients, patients usually first come to the joint consultation, usually having already been pre-examined by a resident colleague.
Here we carry out a thorough anamnesis, determine the symptoms, previous medication use and examine the x-ray.
Ideally, the findings support each other.
We make a recommendation for action and encourage you to seek a second opinion if anything is unclear.
Dr. Klaiber:
When determining the indication, the quality of life of the affected person plays a decisive role.
Most patients are “ready” for an artificial joint when they come to us, which means that in most cases the conservative treatment options have already been exhausted.
If not, we recommend it.
Or we can discuss together which type of joint replacement is suitable.
Many patients are already very well informed through the press and the Internet.
What lead time does it take once the decision has been made?
Dr. Weber:
In the event of an accident, the definitive treatment is decided and initiated or carried out within 24 hours by specially trained, certified surgeons.
My news
On the trail of waste sinners in Markt Schwaben - organic waste bins are checked and violations are punished
Carnival parade in Markt Schwaben 2024: “It was crazy and not a flash in the pan” read
1 hour ago
“We would like to have more younger people” read
1 hour ago
Read Gardening in the Climate Crisis
Planned refugee accommodation in Markt Schwaben: Initiative calls for rejection by local council
End of waiting and your own royal couple: The carnival parades in Markt Schwaben and Ebersberglesen
Dr. Klaiber
: In the case of an elective operation, the patient can decide the date himself. We need at least two to three, preferably four weeks' notice, because we also initiate the postoperative phase and the rehabilitation planning.
How is this continuing?
Dr. Weber:
The patient comes either the day before or on the day of the operation itself. Depending on the difficulty, the actual operation takes just under an hour.
Prosthesis changes take longer.
Dr. Klaiber
: There is a wide range of different access options that the doctor can choose from;
the standard is always minimally invasive.
All of our surgeons have a lot of experience and each chooses the best approach for the situation.
How long will the patients then stay in the clinic?
Dr. Weber:
About a week for wound control and pain therapy.
Depending on your condition, you can stand up for the first time on the day of the operation and carefully but fully put weight on the affected extremity.
We start with physiotherapy and gait training right here in the clinic.
When in contact with social services, the patient can choose their own AHB clinic (follow-up rehabilitation), depending on their insurance, and outpatient rehabilitation is also possible if home care is guaranteed.
What do patients need to consider afterwards?
Dr. Klaiber
: Movement is the be-all and end-all to achieve the best possible mobility.
Some take longer, some reach their destination quicker.
For example, before Christmas I operated on a friend who was discharged home after four days and returned to work after three weeks, with full weight bearing.
Normally, after around eight days, patients go to rehab with us for three weeks and have a normal gait again after three months.
You can still do the sport you did before after the artificial joint, whether hiking, cycling, skiing or playing tennis.
What can those affected do to ensure that surgery is not necessary?
Dr. Weber
: In the case of degenerative diseases, depending on the quality of life, an operation is more likely to be postponed in order to avoid having to change the artificial joint later, and the best way to do this is to eat a healthy diet and stay in regular exercise.
Move, move, move.
The interview was conducted by Gabi Sabo