On the initiative of the DGOOC (German Society for Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery) and with the cooperation of two specialist associations (AE - German Society for Endoprosthetics, BVOU - Professional Association for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery), a certification system called EndoCert has been in place throughout Germany since 2012.
This enables specialized arthroplasty clinics that focus on joint replacement to be certified as an arthroplasty center or, alternatively, as a maximum care arthroplasty center. For you as a patient, this primarily means that you can be sure of the necessary equipment and personnel requirements for the success of your operation.
.png "Endocert Zertifizierung")
Doctors who have been awarded the seal are medical facilities that have been certified as an EndoProstheticsCenter (EPZ) or as an EndoProstheticsCenter of Maximum Care (EPZmax) via endocert and have therefore demonstrated compliance with the requirements set out in an audit. Recertification is required every three years.
The criteria, requirements and differences between EPZ and EPZmax can be found here.
Artificial elbow joints are not recognizable from the outside and the arm also behaves like the original. However, the elbow prosthesis is actually made of metal, often titanium due to its durability. The artificial joint surfaces are also often made of polyethylene, a plastic that is intended to reduce friction in the joint and basically replaces the articular cartilage surfaces.
Normally, an elbow prosthesis is used for between 10 and 15 years, depending on the degree of use and the age of the patient. However, if the joint becomes loose in the bone or an inflammation develops, the elbow prosthesis must be surgically removed and a new prosthesis fitted.
Immediately after the operation, the elbow joint is immobilized for some time to allow the bones, skin and tissue to heal. Depending on the surgical method and personal requirements, the stay in the specialist clinic for endoprosthetics can last between five and seven days. In rare cases, for example when patients are significantly older, it may well be necessary to stay in hospital for up to two weeks.
As soon as the splint has been removed, the actual mobilization of the elbow prosthesis begins. Unlike hip and knee replacements, this does not require inpatient rehabilitation. In physiotherapy, patients learn how to use the new elbow joint gently. This is because the joint cannot be subjected to unlimited strain. This means, for example, refraining from playing golf or tennis, carrying and lifting weights heavier than one to two kilograms and other activities that would normally put strain on the elbow joint.
As a rule, the elbow prosthesis can be fully used after around six weeks, provided no inflammation or complications have occurred. The risk of such events also decreases with the selection of a specialized center for arthroplasty. The doctors working there are usually specialists in orthopaedics and trauma surgery with extensive experience in their respective fields.
The basis for becoming a specialist in orthopaedics and trauma surgery is several years of further training with a high proportion of practical experience, during which the prospective specialists mainly learn from operations they have performed themselves.
