completely torn my acl- looking for recommended doctors for surgery in germany?

[ticotico]

I injured me left knee in a football match exactly one month ago. i live in qatar, i have met 3 doctors and did MRI, all agree i have a completly torn ACL. it s impossible to find experienced acl surgeons in qatar (though  aspetar sports hospital is excellent in rehab and physio, but no experienced surgeons (not the ones who perform like 200 a year). my options in terms of countries for surgery are (qatar, egypt, germany or poland) i need your help with making a decision on which doctor to go with below (any new recommendations are welcomed)

1- Qatar: Dr philippe landreau (french surgeon) i cant get any references about him? any one can help?
2- Germany: i have got in touch with dr muller-kittnau (my top option now seems a great guy, i found him based on an old thread by a lady here user name kapput-knee) also another option is dr vladimere martinek. anyone recommends them? or suggests someone else?
3- Egypt: just cause my family is there, but i dont know any good doctors and worried about the 2 weeks rehab after surgery
4- Poland: i have many friends there who are telling me they have great docs and hospitals? anyone recommends poland or docs there?

i really appreciate your help, as i m confused and it s my first time for surgery and i want to play football and tennis again, i am just 34 years old. thanks

[PiotrS]

I can tell you about Polish hospitals, because I live in Warsaw, and had my ACL reconstructed here about 7 weeks ago.

I was treated at the MSWiA hospital by Dr Żbikowski, and I can highly recommend him for his manner and approach to the patient. He has excellent reviews among his patients and peers, and certainly my surgery seems a success (at least at the moment). The other orthopedic surgeon at the hospital, Dr Luboinski, has treated a number of my friends (all of them very sports active), and they all seem very pleased with the results. In fact both doctors specialise in sports injuries and the knee in particular, and both have links to excellent rehabilitation centres. MSWiA is a public hospital, so don't expect beautiful facilities, but they are certainly of a decent standard, and the care is excellent.

The other place that is highly recommended is Carolina Medical Centre, and Dr Śmigielski, who has operated on many of the top athletes here in Poland. It is a private clinic, and it costs, but also gets good reviews.

Let me know if you need any other info.

[Kaputt_Knee]

Hi,

I can thoroughly recommend Dr Müller-Kittnau as he is my surgeon and is a no nonsense, straightforward surgeon who will do what is required and to get you back into sports. He is also a really nice guy and takes time to talk to you. I am sure he speaks English, but he always uses German with me. Either he is like many Germans, nervous of speaking with a native-speaker, or he feels my German is more than adequate to communicate with him about my treatment. I will be seeing him again soon as we are trying to sort out my knee pain without having to perform a TTT or a total knee replacement. So he is reluctant to operate unless it has to be done and when he does he is careful to make sure everything that is necessary is done in one go.

He operates at the Schonen-Klinik Vögtereuth north east of Rosenheim and they have a dedicated wing for pre-dominantly Arabic patients. I met many when I was a patient there and acted as a translator for one or two on occasions.

There is also Dr. Frank Hoffman at the Kreiskrankenhaus Rosenheim, who is also acknowledged to be one of the best ACL specialists in the area. I chose Dr. Müller-Kittnau because he is a revision specialist as well.

In Munich, there are many good surgeons specialising in sports injury. I have also been treated in the past by Dr. Mayr at the Orthozentrum München, in Obersendling. He and his partners are part of the orthopaedic team supporting the German Olympic Squad and the German Wintersports squads.

Good luck

Sue

[ticotico]

thanks deat Piotrs and Sue, that was very helpful, i am going ahead with dr Muller-Kittnau he talked to me over the phone and i was very comfortable. Plus Sue, you seem to be a subject matter expert with your knee injuries, Sue i really want to thank you for your postings, i only found him cause of your previous postings about him.

Due think that 10 days after surgery is enough for me in Germany then i can get back on a plane?

[Kaputt_Knee]

I would ask Dr Müller-Kittnau about that to be honest. If you can stay on and do the initial rehabilitation in one of the specialist rehab clinics here (I can thoroughly recommend the Simmsee Clinic in Bad Endorf, for example) I think it might help with the early mobilisation. And it will also allow you to do the post-op follow up with Dr Müller-Kittnau.

To be honest, he is very involved in making sure that your post-op rehab is also as good as possible, so he really is the best person to discuss this with. He always asks me who is doing my physiotherapy and is very happy that I am with my current small, but highly respected practice here in my village. 

Let me know if I can help in any way when you come over here.

Sue

[ticotico]

well, he told me about the ten days, i was actually thinking of 15 days post surgery, but i will need to stay in a hotel or something and find a place for physio. i will discuss with him and see. you are super kind! thanks a lot Sue

[kneeknock]

Can any body suggest me a Good doctor in Germany....?

As I am currently in Germany and would like to consult a good knee surgeon, if possible Dr. Müller-Kittnau if he practices in Berlin as I am staying currently here. or any other good surgeon similar to his repute. I had my Knee ACLR before in my home country 'India' but I am not satisfy with it and feels something has to be still rectified.

I would be greatfull if any body who have a good knowledge about the doctors in Germany can recommend me few good surgeons.

@ Kaputt_Knee: It would be helpful if you could help me in this regard, as u are having a good knowledge about the doctors in Germany and I believe u are from Germany....

Eagerly waiting for the response....
Thanks in Advance........

[Kaputt_Knee]

Whereabouts are you in Berlin KneeKnock?

If you are registered with any of the state or private Krankenkasse, you can go to any orthpaedic surgeon you like as long as you have an Überweisung from your GP. If you do not have an Überweisung (referral form), you will have to pay 10 euros to the orthopaedic surgeon's practice. You can get one Überweisung per doctor, but you can see as many as you like before you decide which one you have the most confidence in.

Dr Müller-Kittnau is based in Rosenheim down here in Oberbayern which is perhaps a long way for you to travel.

If you are on a student exchange visa you need to consult your sponsor to find out what your health insurance cover is.

I can help you a bit more when I know what kind of medical coverage you have.

Sue 

[LindaNJ]

All I will tell you is to DO YOUR RESEARCH.  Many specialize in hips and knees.  This, you want done right the first time and you only want to do this once.
Best of luck to you.

[The KNEEguru]

Check also our KNEEguru list of knee surgeons in Germany - http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEnotes/node/381