The program includes:
- Initial presentation in the clinic
- clinical history taking
- physical examination
- orthopedical examination
- ultrasound of shoulder joint
- X-ray
- MRI scan of shoulder joint (on indication)
- nursing services
- consultation of all leading experts
- development of individual treatment plan
Required documents
- Medical records
- X-ray examination, MRI/CT scan (if available)
Service
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About the department
According to the prestigious Focus magazine, the Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery at the Hospital Cologne-Merheim ranks among the top German medical facilities specializing in knee, hip, and shoulder surgery!
The department offers the full range of medical services in the areas of its specialization. In the field of orthopedics, the key focus is on knee and hip replacement surgery. The department is certified as the Maximum Care Center for Joint Replacement Surgery by the German Society for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery (DGOOC). The specialists at the Center for Joint Replacement Surgery perform more than 550 knee and hip joint replacement surgical interventions every year, and therefore they are rightfully proud of their vast clinical experience and successful results in this field. The department's orthopaedists also successfully perform minimally traumatic arthroscopic joint interventions. The team of trauma surgeons is responsible for the conservative and surgical treatment of musculoskeletal injuries of varying severity. The department has the status of a supraregional Trauma Center and cooperates closely with the University Hospital Cologne in this field. The medical facility offers innovative treatment methods, state-of-the-art equipment, and highly skilled professionals, which form a solid foundation for successful clinical practice. Despite technological advances and the automation of many clinical processes, the focus of the department's physicians is on the patients with their individual needs and wishes.
The department is headed by Prof. Dr. med. Bertil Bouillon. He is an outstanding specialist who has repeatedly been ranked among the best German doctors in the field of his competence.
The department is known as one of the best medical facilities in Germany, specializing in knee and hip replacement surgery. Regular consultations are held here, during which the attending physician informs the patient about the possible treatment options for his joint pathology. Joint replacement surgery is the last-line treatment. Whenever possible, the specialists use only conservative therapy, prescribing drugs, physiotherapy, intra-articular injections, etc. However, in cases where patients have severe joint lesions, conservative treatment methods are often ineffective, and the only way to eliminate pain and movement limitations is to replace the joint with an artificial prosthesis.
Joint replacement surgery is performed in state-of-the-art operating rooms with all the necessary equipment. The department uses only minimally invasive techniques for joint replacement surgery, which involve a surgical approach through skin and soft tissue incisions a few centimeters long. Recovery after minimally invasive interventions is extremely rapid, pain syndrome is less severe, and the risk of complications in the postoperative period is very low. Highly accurate prosthesis positioning is provided through the use of modern computer navigation systems and intraoperative imaging methods. It is worth noting that planning and carrying out the world's first implantation of an endoprosthesis with i-Pod navigation made the department famous in Germany and other countries around the world. The department's doctors cooperate with the best Rehabilitation Centers in the region, so, if desired, patients can undergo a rehabilitation course on an inpatient or outpatient basis immediately after joint replacement surgery.
An integral part of the department's clinical practice is the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, ranging from simple household injuries to complex and multiple injuries. Of particular interest to the medical team is the treatment of injuries of the upper limbs (shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand), highly severe injuries, and injuries in elderly patients (geriatric injuries). The department's specialists also have unique experience in providing care to patients with occupational injuries. Trauma surgeons cooperate closely with physiotherapists and occupational therapists to help patients restore the motor functions of their injured limbs, including fine motor skills.
The department is certified as a highly specialized center for treating injuries in elderly patients by the German Federal Association of Geriatrics (BVG). The medical facility primarily admits patients with hip fractures in the hip joint area, shoulder fractures in the shoulder joint area, pelvic fractures, spinal fractures, and periprosthetic fractures (fractures in the area of previously implanted prostheses). In many cases of such injuries, surgery is required, and the department's specialists perform these interventions using minimally invasive techniques. During the treatment of geriatric injuries, the specialists strive to provide patients with maximum restoration of mobility, independence in everyday life, and a high quality of life.
The department's key clinical focuses include:
- Orthopedics
- Joint replacement surgery
- Knee replacement surgery
- Hip replacement surgery
- Shoulder replacement surgery
- Revision surgery for the replacement of previously implanted knee and hip joint prostheses
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Arthroscopic interventions on the shoulder joint
- Shoulder impingement syndrome
- Frozen shoulder
- Calcific tendinitis of the shoulder
- Shoulder arthritis
- Rotator cuff tear
- Pectoralis major tendon rupture
- Shoulder instability
- SLAP syndrome
- Humerus fractures
- Arthroscopic interventions on the elbow joint
- Distal biceps brachii tendon rupture
- Elbow dislocation
- Elbow instability
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer's elbow
- Elbow arthritis
- Arthroscopic interventions on the knee joint
- Meniscus tear
- Anterior and posterior cruciate ligament ruptures
- Patellar dislocation
- Traumatic injuries of the knee cartilaginous tissue
- Arthroscopic interventions on the ankle joint
- Ankle fracture
- Distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries
- Ankle sprains
- Arthroscopic interventions on the shoulder joint
- Joint replacement surgery
- Trauma surgery
- Household injuries
- Occupational injuries
- Severe and multiple injuries
- Injuries in elderly patients (geriatric injuries)
- Other medical services
Curriculum vitae
Higher Education and Professional Career
- 1976 - 1982 Medical studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt am Main.
- 1983 - 1984 Military Service, Navy, Ship's Doctor, Wilhelmshaven.
- 1984 - 1986 Assistant Physician, Department of Surgery II, University Hospital Cologne.
- 1986 - 1987 Internship abroad, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
- 1987 - 1995 Assistant Physician, Department of Surgery II, University Hospital Cologne.
- 1996 - 2001 Senior Physician, Department of Surgery II, University Hospital Cologne.
- 1998 Habilitation.
- 2001 - 2003 Managing Senior Physician, Department of Surgery II, University Hospital Cologne.
- 2003 - 2004 Acting Head of the Department of Surgery at the Hospital Cologne-Merheim.
- Since 2004 Head of the Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery at the Hospital Cologne-Merheim.
- 2004 Invitation to the Department of Trauma Surgery and Orthopedics at Witten/Herdecke University.
- 2005 Dean of the Faculty at Witten/Herdecke University.
Qualifications
- 1987 Diploma in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
- 1992 Board certification in Surgery.
- 1994 Specialization in Trauma Surgery.
- 1999 Specialization in Surgical Intensive Care.
- 2009 Board certification in Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery.
- 2009 Additional specialization in Special Trauma Surgery.
Clinical Focuses
- Fracture treatment, including pelvic and spinal fractures.
- Treatment of occupational injuries.
- Treatment of sports injuries, including damage to joints, menisci, and cruciate ligaments.
- Treatment of tendon and muscle injuries, including the Achilles tendon, the quadriceps tendon, and the biceps tendon.
- Hip replacement surgery.
Research Focuses
- Quality of life after injuries.
- Blood coagulation disorders after injuries.
- Sports injuries.
Memberships in Professional Societies
- German Trauma Society (DGU).
- German Society of Surgery (DGCH).
- Professional Association of German Surgeons (BDC).
- Association of Emergency Physicians in North Rhine-Westphalia (AGNNW).
- American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS).
- American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST).
Photo of the doctor: (c) Kliniken der Stadt Köln gGmbH
About hospital
According to the reputable Focus magazine, the Hospital Cologne-Merheim ranks among the top German medical centers!
The health facility is an academic hospital of Witten/Herdecke University, which gives patients access to the very latest developments in European medicine. The Hospital Cologne-Merheim positions itself as a maximum care medical center, which is why it offers a wide range of high-quality medical services. The hospital has 752 beds in 13 specialized departments. More than 28,000 inpatients are treated here every year. Outpatient care is also provided for many medical specialties. The hospital also collaborates closely with the University Hospital Cologne, carrying out fruitful work at the Transplant Center.
The most successful areas of clinical practice in the medical center are neurosurgery, pulmonology, transplantology, surgery (in particular, minimally invasive), cardiology, traumatology, joint replacement surgery, and plastic surgery. The Departments of Ophthalmology, Anesthesiology, Radiology, Neuroradiology, and Palliative Care are also distinguished by top-class medical service. In addition, the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery provide effective early rehabilitation programs for patients with stroke, traumatic brain injuries, brain tumors, and other neurological diseases. Comprehensive treatment of such a level is available only at highly specialized and best medical facilities in Germany.
The hospital has several ultramodern intensive care units, where patients in critical condition are treated.
It is worth noting that the hospital was the first in the region to be certified in accordance with KTQ® (Cooperation for Transparency and Quality in Health Care). The certification process is repeated every three years, and each time the hospital passes it with excellent results.
The basis for high-quality medical services lies in state-of-the-art equipment, the application of effective and reliable therapeutic methods, and the vast clinical experience and professionalism of doctors and nursing staff. The main value for each employee at the hospital is the patient's health. Doctors devote enough time to personal communication with patients in order to establish a trusting relationship and explain the details of upcoming treatment.
Photo: (с) depositphotos
Accommodation in hospital
Patients rooms
The patients of the Hospital Cologne-Merheim live in single and double rooms. All patient rooms are cozy and designed in light colors. Each patient room has an ensuite bathroom with a shower and a toilet. The furnishings of a standard patient room include an automatically adjustable bed, a bedside table with a pull-out tray, a wardrobe for personal belongings, a table and chairs for receiving visitors, a TV, and a telephone. Wi-Fi is also available in the patient rooms.
If desired, patients may stay in an enhanced-comfort room, which additionally provides a safe, a mini-fridge, and upholstered furniture.
Meals and Menus
The patients are offered three tasty and healthy meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast and dinner are served as buffets, and for lunch, there is a set of three menus to choose from.
If, for some reason, you do not eat all the foods, you will be offered an individual menu. Please inform the medical staff about your dietary preferences prior to treatment.
Further details
Standard rooms include:
Religion
There is a chapel on the territory of the hospital, where Catholic and Evangelical worship is regularly held on Sundays and religious holidays. The chapel is also open daily for visits and solitude for prayers.
The services of representatives of other religions are available upon request.
Accompanying person
Your accompanying person may stay with you in your patient room or at the hotel of your choice during the inpatient program.
Hotel
You may stay at the hotel of your choice during the outpatient program. Our managers will support you for selecting the best option.