Department of Adult and Pediatric Trauma Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Foot Surgery - Eichsfeld Hospital Heilbad Heiligenstadt

About the Department of Adult and Pediatric Trauma Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Foot Surgery at Eichsfeld Hospital Heilbad Heiligenstadt

The Department of Adult and Pediatric Trauma Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Foot Surgery at the Eichsfeld Hospital Heilbad Heiligenstadt provides high-quality diagnostics and effective treatment of injuries and pathologies of the bones, joints, tendons and muscles. The department's doctors offer patient-centered medical care, therefore, comprehensive diagnostics and an individual approach to the clinical case are of particular value. The department admits patients of all ages – from adults and the elderly to young children and adolescents. The department has the status of a regional Trauma Center and is part of the Trauma Network Goettingen-Kassel. In addition, the medical facility operates a modern Joint Replacement Center awarded with the prestigious endoCert certificate. The specialists of the center perform over 350 knee and hip replacement surgeries every year with top-class results. The surgical treatment of orthopedic diseases and musculoskeletal injuries is mostly carried out using modern minimally invasive techniques, which contribute to the rapid recovery of mobility after the intervention and minimal pain. Many minor surgical procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, so the patient can leave the department within a few hours after the intervention. The Head Physician of the department is Dr. med. Dietmar Litzkow.

The patients with musculoskeletal injuries, including polytrauma, are admitted to the department around the clock. First of all, the department's specialists carry out a clinical examination, X-ray scanning and other necessary diagnostic tests, after which they decide on the next therapeutic steps – conservative or surgical treatment. A surgical intervention is the last-line therapy, therefore, in most cases, specialists strive to carry out treatment without surgical techniques. However, in complex injuries, surgery is often unavoidable. The advantage for the patient is that the medical facility actively uses sparing arthroscopic techniques and closed osteosynthesis procedures. Modern surgical techniques make it possible to treat complex traumatic injuries without extensive incisions in the skin and soft tissues, which in turn contributes to mild pain syndrome and rapid recovery. The department's trauma surgeons successfully cope with the treatment of bone fractures of the shoulder, forearm, elbow, hip, foot, spine, as well as with the treatment of ligament and tendon tears, dislocations, etc. The specialists also provide medical care for young patients. In this case, pediatricians are necessarily involved in the therapeutic process, since it is important for the doctors not only to eliminate the injury, but also to ensure the normal further development of the musculoskeletal system in the child.

Special attention in orthopedic surgery is paid to joint replacement surgery performed in a specialized Endoprosthetics Center with endoCert certification of the German Society for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery (DGOOC). The certification guarantees the patient a personalized service, adherence to modern hygiene and safety standards, and high treatment efficiency rates. The department's surgeons annually perform more than 350 operations for partial and total knee and hip replacement. The department's doctors always take into account the individual needs of the patient, which ensures a high-quality treatment result. Each operation is preceded by thorough preparation with the development of a regimen for the upcoming treatment. Particular attention is paid to the choice of an endoprosthesis, since this is one of the key components of the successful surgery outcome. The department's specialists use both standard endoprostheses from leading manufacturers on the international market and custom-made endoprostheses. In most cases, joint replacement surgery is performed using minimally invasive techniques – without extensive skin incisions and soft tissue lesions. The specialists use advanced navigation systems for the most accurate positioning of the artificial joint, if required. The team of the department's doctors also performs revision (repeated) interventions to replace previously implanted prostheses. After joint replacement surgery, the patient receives proper care and qualified assistance from experienced physiotherapists.

The department's orthopedic surgeons also specialize in arthroscopic interventions for shoulder dislocations, rotator cuff tears, meniscus and cruciate ligament tears, vertebral fractures, etc. Many arthroscopic procedures are performed on an outpatient basis.

Another important focus of the department's medical team is on care for patients with foot injuries and pathologies, including those with congenital defects. The department successfully performs surgical interventions to repair hallux valgus, Tailor's bunion, hammer and claw toes, surgical repair of foot deformities, as well as provides flat feet treatment. Whenever possible, sparing minimally invasive surgical techniques are used.

The department's range of medical services includes:

• Trauma surgery
  • Conservative and surgical treatment of bone fractures of the shoulder, forearm, elbow, hip, foot, spine, as well as ligament and tendon tears, dislocations, polytrauma in adults and children
  • Conservative and surgical treatment of sports injuries: traumatic lesions of the muscles, tendons and ligaments
• Orthopedic surgery
  • Knee, hip, shoulder and elbow partial and total replacement surgery, including revision surgery to replace previously implanted prostheses (for example, due to displacement of parts of the prosthesis, inflammatory processes)
  • Arthroscopic interventions on the knee, shoulder and ankle joints, including cartilage transplantation
  • Corrective surgery for axial deformities of the lower extremities and leg length difference
  • Knee surgery for fractures and their complications, meniscus and ligament tears, patellar dislocation, cartilage degeneration
  • Shoulder surgery for compression syndromes, rotator cuff tear, shoulder labral tear, tendon rupture
  • Surgery for vertebral fractures: kyphoplasty and dorsal stabilization
  • Osteomyelitis surgery
• Foot surgery
  • Hallux valgus surgery
  • Tailor's bunion surgery
  • Hammer and claw toe surgery
  • Flat foot surgery
• Other therapeutic options