Exercise – that much is clear – has a positive impact on health! Even the Greek philosopher Aristotle (c. 400 BC) emphasised that every form of exercise has a purpose. The writer Theodor Fontane (19th century) even suggested that air and exercise were the true secret medical advisors (which, in Prussian times, was something of an honorary title for doctors and medical officials).
For Professor Gehrke – an internationally renowned joint surgeon – restoring mobility and thereby alleviating pain is one of the main reasons why he is so passionate about his profession! Dr Thorsten Gehrke has been working as an orthopedic surgeon for more than 20 years and has been Medical Director of the HELIOS ENDO Clinic and Head of the Department of Orthopedic Joint Surgery and Endoprosthetics at the ENDO Clinic Hamburg for 12 years.
The ENDO Clinic is a world-leading specialist clinic for bone, joint and spinal surgery. Here, in addition to treating classic joint conditions affecting the hip and knee, all other joints – such as the ankle and shoulder – are replaced, repaired or reconstructed. A dedicated sports medicine department deals with typical sports injuries such as meniscus damage, ligament injuries and cartilage injuries. Professor Gehrke specializes in the insertion and replacement of hip and knee joint endoprostheses. When asked why he chose to specialize in this particular field back then, the doctor replies:
“People with joint conditions caused by wear and tear or accidents have often suffered for months or even years, with a significant loss of quality of life. This can be remedied within a short time through the use of an artificial joint, restoring the patient’s original quality of life in the vast majority of cases.”
Indeed, thanks to his experience, Professor Gehrke is able to insert a hip prosthesis in just over half an hour and a knee prosthesis in three-quarters of an hour. “What makes a good surgeon is, above all, years of experience and routine.” Gehrke explains that the success of a joint replacement procedure depends 70% on the doctor and 30% on the patient! But what role does the patient play here?
“Of course, the patient must be motivated and personally convinced of the benefits of this treatment. The psychological aspect always plays a key role in the healing process.”
The ENDO Clinic is also renowned for its high standards of hygiene. To this end, it employs a hygiene management team comprising doctors responsible for hygiene, hygiene specialists and senior regional hygiene officers, who communicate the results regularly and transparently to the outside world. Hygiene plays a particularly important role in endoprosthetics, as infection of an artificial joint is arguably the most serious complication of this procedure. At the ENDO Clinic – which, as a specialist clinic, has a global reputation particularly in this field – many of these infections are treated very successfully.
In addition to these infection-related replacements of artificial joints, joints are also replaced that were previously misaligned, have become loose or have failed to provide adequate support around the bone. The ENDO Clinic is a medical facility that performs the highest number of endoprosthesis replacements worldwide. Nevertheless, it should be noted that, thanks to new surgical techniques and materials, a knee or hip endoprosthesis now lasts on average up to 25 years. The experienced joint surgeon, who travels extensively, emphasises the close collaboration with various university hospitals and laboratories around the world:
“The great thing about our German healthcare system, and the ENDO Clinic in particular, is that we always have the best materials at our disposal, regardless of the patient’s financial background. Everyone in this country receives the best implant. This puts Germany far ahead of other countries!”
Movement is a fundamental prerequisite for a good and healthy life. The doctor and specialist Professor Gehrke strives every day to ensure that this is regained as soon as possible! Find out more about the medical expert Professor Gehrke in the Leading Medicine Guide.
