Hip Replacement | Specialists and Information

Physicians who hold this seal are affiliated with medical facilities that are certified by endocert as an Endoprosthetics Center (EPZ) or as a Maximum Care Endoprosthetics Center (EPZmax) and have thus demonstrated through an audit that they meet the established requirements. Recertification is required every three years.

You can find the criteria, requirements, and differences between EPZ and EPZmax here.

Minimally invasive hip replacement, as a modern method of orthopedic surgery, has been a frequently discussed topic in the media for several years now. The procedure undoubtedly offers numerous advantages, provided it is performed by an experienced specialist.

In the context of hip replacement surgery, minimally invasive surgical techniques mean not only the smallest possible incisions but, above all, the preservation of important functional body structures, particularly muscles and tendons.

One particularly gentle surgical technique for implanting a hip replacement is the AMIS technique (AMIS = Anterior Minimally Invasive Surgery). It is characterized by the fact that the surgery is performed through a natural gap in the muscles, thereby preventing any muscle or nerve injuries. Consequently, postoperative rehabilitation is improved, and patients regain mobility more quickly. Blood loss is also significantly lower with this minimally invasive surgical procedure than with standard techniques.

Contrary to what is often reported in the popular press, a very high body mass index—that is, severe obesity—is not, in and of itself, a contraindication for hip replacement surgery. Specialists in hip replacement surgery require only a few specialized instruments to perform the procedure routinely and with excellent results.

The average lifespan of hip replacements is generally estimated at about 20 years. However, the longevity of a prosthesis depends on many factors. As a general rule: The poorer the bone quality and the more extreme the daily stress on the hip, the higher the risk that a prosthesis will loosen or wear out over time.

In general, the AMIS method can be used in all age groups and for patients of any body type. However, the minimally invasive procedure can be more challenging for people with a very high percentage of muscle mass. The success of minimally invasive surgery depends to a very large extent on the experience of the surgeon, the specialist in hip replacement. The less experience the surgeon has, the higher the risk of complications during and after surgery.

Specialists in hip replacement are orthopedic surgeons and trauma surgeons. The learning curve for implanting minimally invasive hip replacements is relatively long.

It is by no means true that specialists in hip replacement can routinely master the minimally invasive method after only about 20 to 30 procedures. Experts among surgeons have also completed additional courses at specialized training hospitals or anatomical institutes. Furthermore, because of the reduced access to the joint, the procedure places increased demands on the hip replacement specialist’s ability to think in three dimensions. This, too, requires extensive prior training.

Specialized clinics in the field of minimally invasive hip replacement procedures typically also offer preoperative patient education. After treatment, patients are promptly “discharged” into the care of an experienced team of physical therapists, which helps them regain mobility more quickly and experience significantly less pain.