ATOS Orthopaedic Clinic Braunfels

The highest level of orthopaedic expertise in Central Hesse – this is how the ATOS Orthopaedic Clinic Braunfels presents itself. Here, all those who complain of limited mobility meet highly specialised doctors who are among the proven specialists in their field. When it comes to the shoulder, the hip or the knee, two experienced doctors in particular are regarded as recognised experts here:
Dr med. univ. Lucas Berger and Dr med. univ. Josef Dürager, the two pleasant chief physicians for endoprosthetics and joint surgery. They are particularly known for their expertise in the implantation of artificial joints.

The region around Braunfels invites you to “get moving”: The climatic spa is popular with active holidaymakers and nature lovers who enjoy the dense network of hiking and cycling trails. Of course, pain-free mobility is important. However, anyone who complains about problems with the musculoskeletal system is also in exactly the right place in the charming town in the Hochtaunus region.

With the ATOS Orthopaedic Clinic Braunfels, the little town with its half-timbered houses has a renowned address for people who long for unrestricted movement free of pain. According to the well-known motto "top medicine with top service", which is practiced by everybody in the ATOS clinic network, the clinic in Braunfels offers orthopaedic treatments that inspire in more than one way. Here you will meet highly specialised doctors who have comprehensive expertise in the respective joint – and who are supported by state-of-the-art equipment. Excellent all-round care is also part of it.

It is no coincidence that the focus of the ATOS Orthopaedic Clinic Braunfels is on endoprosthetics for the hip, knee and shoulder. With Dr med. univ. Lucas Berger (certified knee surgeon DKG) and Dr med. univ. Josef Dürager (certified shoulder and elbow surgeon DVSE), the clinic can boast two absolute experts for these joints who work hand in hand for the well-being of their patients – "always with the most innovative and proven methods, paired with the most modern surgical equipment", as the clinic emphasises. As chief physicians for endoprosthetics and joint surgery, the two are highly qualified: The native Austrians are specialists in orthopaedics and trauma surgery with additional qualifications in sports medicine, manual medicine/chiropractic therapy and emergency medicine. Years of clinical and surgical experience are combined with extensive continuing education credentials. Dr med. univ. Lucas Berger holds the recognised certificate in knee surgery from the German Knee Society (DKG) - Dr med. univ. Josef Dürager, as a specialist in shoulder surgery, is a certified shoulder and elbow surgeon of the German Society for Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (DVSE). In the field of hip arthroplasty, both routinely use the OKB approach – the minimally invasive approach developed and perfected over time in Braunfels, with which the clinic in Braunfels became known, among other things.
After a sensitive and individual consultation, only fully developed implants that have been tried and tested over many years are inserted. Depending on the patient's wishes and taking into account the individual anatomy and bone quality, both the popular short-shaft prosthesis and the conventional straight-shaft and cemented prosthesis are used. Customised prostheses are used for exceptionally difficult anatomical malformations or defects. The high quality has been recognised several times in recent years by the independent results evaluation of the German AOK health insurance company with the seal of "above-average treatment quality" in both knee and hip arthroplasty.

Dr med. univ. Lucas Berger, head physician for arthroplasty and joint surgery, is considered an expert in the field of hip and knee arthroplasty. As head of the department of knee surgery, he is particularly experienced in all matters relating to the knee joint. The certified knee surgeon demonstrates his expertise in both primary and revision arthroplasty; revision is when, for example, an artificial joint needs to be replaced. Performing surgery is always the last step for Dr Berger: First, all options for conservative relief of symptoms are
exhausted through non-operative knee treatments – he has a great deal of expertise in joint-preserving therapies. If surgery is unavoidable, he first considers whether minimally invasive surgery can provide long-term relief. The specialist offers arthroscopic meniscus suturing, arthroscopic partial meniscus removal and minimally invasive cartilage surgery. Both amateur and professional athletes are happy to entrust the expertise of Dr Berger with typical sports injuries such as cruciate ligament rupture and patellar luxation (MPFL – plastic). If the joint is already too damaged, partial prostheses (sledge prostheses) can be used both on the outside and inside of the knee, depending on the extent of the damage. The implantation of a sliding prosthesis on the outside of the knee in particular is only offered by a few highly specialised centres in Germany. In the case of damage to several parts of the knee, the knee specialist offers the implantation of a total knee joint endoprosthesis. Corrective surgery for leg axis malalignment of the thigh and shin is also one of his core competences.

Dr med. univ. Josef Dürager, head physician for endoprosthetics and joint surgery, has a high level of expertise not only in artificial joints for the hip and knee. As head of the shoulder surgery department, the certified shoulder surgeon is also considered an absolute expert in shoulder surgery. Under his direction, several hundred shoulder operations are performed each year. Almost all reconstructive procedures, such as rotator cuff suturing, treatment of impingement syndrome, calcified shoulder, shoulder instability or changes in the biceps tendon, are performed using minimally invasive keyhole surgery. An open procedure with a larger incision is only performed by the shoulder specialist in exceptional cases for the complaints mentioned above – Dr Dürager is exactly the right contact person here. This also applies to the complex topic of shoulder endoprosthetics. A shoulder prosthesis is only used by Dr Dürager when all non-surgical treatment methods have been exhausted. Thanks to routine 3D planning, the artificial shoulder joint can be inserted with high precision by Dr Dürager. Even if an inserted shoulder prosthesis has to be replaced, you can rely on his expertise: The clinic's high case numbers are seen as proof that the risk of complications is extremely low – which is not least due to his close cooperation with the interdisciplinary team.