FAQs

As a private doctor, I can take enough time for a personal consultation and a detailed physical examination. Conservative or surgical treatment concepts can be discussed together without any time limits.

The costs for a visit to my private practice can be found under the heading 'Ordination'. The fee is initially paid on site in cash or by debit card. In most cases, ÖGK will reimburse part of the costs. If you have private insurance, in most cases the entire cost of the fee note will be covered. Please check with your insurance provider beforehand.

If we decide together to go ahead with surgery, I will be happy to arrange for you to come to Sanatorium Hera for the necessary examinations beforehand. This primarily concerns a detailed consultation with the anesthetist at a reasonable time before your surgery. If additional examinations are necessary, these can be carried out at Sanatorium Hera in good time.

Surgery on the foot or hand does not usually require a general anesthetic. The affected areas can be locally anaesthetized (as at the dentist). You can also be given a medication to help you sleep so that you are not aware of the surgery.

Larger procedures such as joint replacement on the shoulder, hip or knee do require a general anesthetic.

Knee surgery can also be performed under spinal anesthesia without a general anesthetic. This means that you will be given an anesthetic that will prevent you from feeling your legs for a few hours so that these procedures can be performed without any problems.

The length of stay depends on the planned surgery and can range from one day to around a week. Patients who have had an arthroscopic procedure can usually leave the hospital the next day.

After procedures on hands such as carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger or Dupuytren's contractures, patients can usually leave the hospital on the same day.

Major procedures such as artificial joint replacement on the shoulder, hip or knee require a stay of around one week.

The reverse shoulder arthroplasty offers maximum range of motion despite pronounced pre-existing wear or soft tissue or tendon damage. The operation time is short and the healing phase only a few weeks.

Freedom from pain should be achieved the day after the surgery. Painkillers can usually be discontinued or significantly reduced after a week. The stitches are removed after 14 days at the latest. It is possible to reach for the mouth the day after surgery. A range of motion of up to 90° in all planes should be possible after six weeks. Full range of motion is achieved through consistent physiotherapy.

Freedom from pain should be achieved the day after surgery. Painkillers can usually be discontinued or significantly reduced after a week.

Sports with little physical contact or without direct force on the shoulder joint, such as swimming, jogging or cycling, can usually be practiced without major concerns. However, for sports with higher loads or contact sports such as soccer or basketball, there is an increased risk of complications after surgery.
Studies have shown that golfers have a reduced tee-off distance due to the altered mechanics.
Physical fitness before surgery increases the likelihood of being able to play sports again with a reverse shoulder arthroplasty.
After the installation of a reverse shoulder arthroplasty, it is advisable not to start playing sports until the prosthesis has healed stably in the bone and the protective muscular sheath has been rebuilt through physiotherapy.

After implantation of a reverse shoulder arthroplasty, the arm should be immobilized with a bandage for approximately four to six weeks. However, the shoulder and elbow must be exercised under the guidance of a physiotherapist from the first day after surgery to prevent stiffness. Active, independent lifting of the arm can usually be started from the fourth week.