Prof. Dr. med. Martin Wachowski is one of the leading specialists in the field of knee surgery, knee endoprosthetics and sports orthopedics. Thanks to his many years of experience and extensive expertise in the treatment of knee diseases and injuries, he has made a name for himself far beyond the region. He enjoys an excellent reputation in the field of endoprosthetics in particular and is known for his innovative approaches to cartilage surgery and his specialization in minimally invasive procedures. His treatment focuses include the treatment of cruciate ligament ruptures, patellar instability and osteoarthritis. Prof. Dr. Wachowski uses state-of-the-art medical procedures, including cartilage cell transplants and minimally invasive procedures such as MPFL augmentation and trochleoplasty. His treatment approaches are based on the latest scientific findings, which he actively develops further in order to offer his patients the best possible care.
In addition to his clinical work, Prof. Dr. Wachowski is intensively involved in scientific research. With numerous publications and in-depth expertise in the biomechanics of the knee joint, he has made an important contribution to the further development of orthopedic surgery. His aim is to integrate innovative research findings directly into patient care and thus put advanced treatment methods into practice. In the DUO - Duderstadt Trauma Surgery and Orthopedics practice, Prof. Dr. Wachowski has created a center that is characterized by highly qualified medical care and individual attention for his patients. The practice is a central point of contact for people with knee diseases, injuries or sports medicine problems. State-of-the-art treatment methods are used here, whether for rehabilitation after sports injuries or for the long-term treatment of chronic joint diseases.
Special emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary collaboration with physiotherapists and other specialists in order to offer patients holistic care. In addition to surgical treatment, Prof. Dr. Wachowski attaches great importance to comprehensive advice and information to ensure that each therapy is individually tailored to the patient's needs. Thanks to his innovative approach, his scientific expertise and his patient-oriented way of working, Prof. Dr. Martin Wachowski has established himself as a recognized expert in knee surgery. His DUO practice enjoys an excellent reputation as a leading center for knee surgery and sports orthopedics.
The editors of the Leading Medicine Guide spoke to the knee expert about the high level of expertise in his practice.
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Photo: from left to right: Dr. Peter Müller, specialist in surgery, trauma surgery and orthopedics, Prof. Dr. Martin Wachowski, specialist in orthopedics and trauma surgery, Dr. Sebastian Höller, specialist in orthopedics and trauma surgery.
The knee joint is one of the most complex and most heavily loaded joints in the human body. It enables mobility and stability and makes a significant contribution to mobility in everyday life and sport. However, injuries, signs of wear and tear or congenital deformities can lead to pain and restricted mobility, which can significantly impair quality of life. Whether acute sports injuries such as cruciate ligament ruptures, progressive osteoarthritis or the need for an artificial joint replacement - precise diagnostics and individually tailored therapy are crucial for successful treatment. In such cases, it is essential to consult an experienced team of doctors who specialize in knee surgery, endoprosthetics and ssports orthopedics.
“The DUO practice in Duderstadt can offer the complete portfolio, especially in the field of shoulder and knee surgery. Whether it's minor knee surgery on the meniscus or shoulder surgery for impingement problems - we naturally also offer the full range of conservative therapies. If conservative therapies do not help, we also perform complex operations, stabilize joints, replace cartilage or implant partial or full prostheses. We have the option of performing outpatient surgery at our practice, where our anesthesia colleagues are also available, and we are also active at the nearby St. Martini Hospital and the University Medical Center Göttingen, where outpatient or inpatient procedures can be performed. Personally, it is important to me that we concentrate on certain core areas and can then offer the complete portfolio with all core competencies. It is not enough to have just one or two options available. Because only if you have the entire selection can you also freely choose what is actually best for the respective patient and not make a decision due to a lack of alternatives,” says Professor Dr. Wachowski at the start of our interview.
Today, modern knee surgery offers numerous innovative treatment options to sustainably treat cartilage damage and maintain joint function in the best possible way.
Cartilage cell transplantation and minimally invasive procedures in particular have established themselves as gentle and effective methods. While cartilage cell transplantation uses the body's own cells to regenerate damaged tissue in a targeted manner, minimally invasive techniques enable more precise procedures with less stress for the patient. These procedures not only shorten the healing time, but also help to ensure natural joint preservation in the long term. To achieve optimal results, it is crucial to rely on an experienced team of doctors who combine state-of-the-art methods with individual treatment planning.
“As far as cartilage surgery is concerned, we are very well positioned at the DUO practice and, in addition to classic cartilage cell transplantation, we also offer the 'minced cartilage' procedure, which is a one-stage cartilage transplant. This means that the treatment takes place in just one session. Here we have the option of carrying out the treatment both at the University Hospital and at St. Martini. We have been offering classic cartilage cell transplantation at the university for many years. This two-stage procedure has been highly tested and researched for years. This is a procedure that has been proven to lead to very good results, especially in young and athletically active people,” explains Prof. Dr. Wachowski.
The minced cartilage procedure is a cartilage transplant for the treatment of cartilage defects in the knee. The patient's own cartilage cells are harvested, enriched with the patient's own blood components during the operation and transplanted into the damaged area. This minimally invasive procedure shortens the healing time and enables a rapid restoration of mobility. The method is particularly suitable for younger, active patients with medium-sized cartilage defects, but can also be promising for older patients.
In modern medicine, interdisciplinary cooperation plays a central role in providing patients with the best possible care. Complex illnesses and injuries often require the expertise of different medical disciplines in order to ensure a holistic diagnosis and individually tailored treatment.
Particularly in orthopedics, endoprosthetics and sports medicine, close cooperation between surgeons, radiologists, physiotherapists and other specialist areas is crucial for successful treatment and rapid rehabilitation. By sharing knowledge and experience, the best possible therapy can be developed and implemented for each patient.
“For example, we have close contacts with rehabilitation clinics in the vicinity, with whom we are happy to exchange information if necessary. We also have contact with an outpatient rehabilitation center, which is primarily used by younger patients and athletes, whether before or after an operation or during conservative treatment. When it comes to surgical treatments, the exchange and organization with the St. Martini Hospital is excellent, also because the distances are short due to the clear layout of the hospital. And thanks to the close cooperation with the University Medical Center, we naturally also have comprehensive specialist support, as we can call in all the necessary specialists for complex treatments. This allows us to jointly select the right setting for the patient and involve other sub-disciplines, for example rheumatologists, cardiologists or internists. In this way, patients always have the right practitioner at their side,” explains Prof. Dr. Wachowski.
Dr. Sebastian Höller joined the team at the DUO practice in Duderstadt on 1 January 2025. The orthopedic specialist specializes in reconstructive shoulder and knee surgery as well as sports orthopedics.
“Dr. Sebastian Höller has already been involved in knee and shoulder surgery at the University of Göttingen for over seven years, where we have also operated and worked together a lot. Our collaboration complements each other perfectly. Dr. Höller, who is also a certified knee surgeon and D-Arzt (doctor for occupational accidents), is involved both personally and as a doctor, particularly in sports, and has been looking after the sports consultation at the university for a long time, especially the basketball players from BG 74, the first division basketball team from Göttingen. He also offers a sports consultation at the DUO practice,” says Prof. Dr. Wachowski and talks about his work at the practice:
“When a patient comes to me, it's important for me to first understand exactly what their problem is. Because some patients come with MRI findings and explain that they have cartilage damage in this or that area, for example. But for me, it's not the findings that are decisive. The important thing is to first hear how the patient describes their problem and symptoms in their own words. This is the only way I can find out where the patient stands, including their requirements and what they need. In the end, an imaging finding (MRI or X-ray) that has been obtained is not relevant at all, as each person's needs are completely different and the leading complaints sometimes do not have to be based on an obvious finding in the imaging. Furthermore, it is crucial to take a lot of time to examine the patient properly, and only then is imaging the final piece of the puzzle in order to gradually develop a diagnosis and the solution to the problem. It is particularly important to me to explain each step to the patient in detail and I want to involve them in everything I do. The patient should be able to fully understand and comprehend what exactly is causing the problem. Only then can the patient himself think about where his goal lies. And for this defined goal, the various options must also be discussed and debated in detail in order to find a way to reach a decision together, which in the end is made solely by the patient."
Revision operations in knee and shoulder surgery are demanding procedures that are required if an initial operation has not been successful or if complications such as implant loosening, infections or new injuries occur.
These procedures pose a particular challenge for the attending physician, as they not only have to take the original problem into account, but also deal with altered anatomical structures, scar tissue and possible bone defects. Precise planning, individually adapted implants and state-of-the-art surgical techniques are crucial in order to restore joint function in the best possible way and enable patients to improve their mobility and quality of life in the long term.
“We often have patients in our practice who need a revision and also come to us for a second opinion. In most cases, the situation is complex and we have to carefully examine whether a second operation would actually solve the problem, which may also entail new risks, or whether the problem can be better managed. Another operation is not always the better solution. It is fundamentally important for every patient to seek treatment where the case numbers and expertise are high. However, patients should be better informed, especially when it comes to complex joint problems, and they should also be prepared to travel long distances in case of doubt in order to see exactly the specialist they need. At the same time, logistics must be improved so that patients can easily travel further distances without having to bear the full cost of long journeys themselves,” explains Prof. Dr. Wachowski and expresses further wishes for the future:
“A fundamentally better interlinking of pre-treatment, core treatment and post-treatment would be good. You need good contacts here. Unfortunately, it is often the case that patients are sent for rehabilitation or physiotherapy and then nothing more is heard. Patients also have to wait far too long for necessary appointments, and sometimes they are not treated 100% optimally in rehab or physiotherapy - here, for example, the exchange between doctor and rehab needs to be improved and more closely meshed”. And that concludes our conversation.
Thank you very much, Professor Dr. Wachowski, for this exciting insight into your work at the DUO practice in Duderstadt!
