Frequently Asked Questions

By and large the donation of blood is no more needed today for interventions, simply because we make every endeavour to minimise the operative loss of blood.

We succeed in doing so by minimal invasive surgery. In this case we only touch musculature and sinews as absolutely needed whereby the loss of blood can be tremendously diminished. In addition we have already worked for quite a long time with special ultrasonic knives which while cutting stop the bleeding of the smallest blood vessel so that a strong bleeding can be prevented from the very beginning.

Therefore, the donation of blood preservation is only needed in utmost exceptional cases.  Should you, however, have any misgivings that just in case you would depend on foreign blood, we can as a matter of course make your own blood preservation before the intervention. In this connection it has to be kept in mind that this is not done immediately before the intervention but approximately four weeks before.

The length of relief by using crutches with two forearm walking supports depends considerably on the performed intervention as well as on the quality of the bones and on the general physical condition of the patient.

Following, we specify the average length of using crutches:

• Artificial hip: minimum 4 weeks
• Hip arthroscopy: minimum 2 weeks
• Artificial knee: minimum 6 weeks
• Knee arthroscopy: approximately 5 – 7 days

After the periods mentioned above it is possible to increase the weight bearing according to the complaints.

Unfitness for work also varies considerably and depends on the kind of surgical intervention, on the age of the patient as well as on the kind of his activity.

It goes without saying that we agree on a solution with the patient taking into account all the above mentioned circumstances.
Following below you find the standard values:

• Artificial hip: sedentary work: 6 – 8 weeks, physical work: up to 3 months
• Hip arthroscopy: sedentary work: 4 – 6 weeks, physical work: up to 2 – 3 months
• Artificial knee: sedentary work: 6 – 8 weeks, physical work: up to 3 – 4 months
• Knee arthroscopy: sedentary work: 2 – 4 weeks, physical work: 1 – 2 months
• Shoulder operation: office work: 4 – 8 weeks, physical work: up to 3 months
• Foot operation: sedentary work: approximately 4 weeks, physical work: up to 2 – 3 months

The length of hospitalization depends first of all on the surgical intervention and on a possibly existing additional illness.

We recommend the following length of the stay:

• Artificial hip: approximately 5 – 7 days
• Hip arthroscopy: approximately 1.5 - 2 days
• Artificial knee: approximately 10 – 14 days
• Knee arthroscopy: approximately 1 day
• Shoulder operation: approximately 2 – 5 days
• Foot operation: approximately 2 – 4 days

Evidently, it depends first of all on the patient and all the above mentioned indications represent only standard values.

In uncomplicated cases we recommend for a period of approximately one and a half year after the implantation of an artificial limb a prophylaxis with antibiotics for various surgical interventions which may be regarded as potentially infectious. Amongst them rank in particular interventions in the oral cavity, in the gastrointestinal tract as well as in the urogenital tract.

The antibiotic prophylaxis aims at the immediate elimination of the dangerous germs in the bloodstream. This is necessary because the germs stick in particular on rough surfaces.

For example, artificial cardiac valves or freshly operated artificial limbs belong to this category. The risk of an infection of the artificial limb can drastically be reduced by administering antibiotics according to a specific scheme.

Therefore, it is utmost important that the patient informs the attending doctor or dentist about the implantation of the artificial limb. He will then be given antibiotics approximately one hour before and four hours after the intervention. This scheme may be modified and adapted to special needs in case of an extremely high risk of the infection of an artificial limb.

Should you have any questions with regard to this item, do not hesitate to get in touch with us or kindly ask your doctor or dentist to do so. 
Further information can be found under:

www.zahnaerzte.ch/doc/doc_download.cfm;

After serious surgical interventions as for example inserting an artificial hip or artificial knee as well as after a surgical replacement of the artificial limb there are some cases where a stationary rehabilitation stay might be indicated.

It is specially recommended to stay in a qualified clinic when the mobilization is additionally impeded by osteoarthritis or when a certain partial weight-bearing must be respected.

In particular, a rehabilitation stay is appropriate for those patients who on top of the orthopaedic diagnosis suffer from other illnesses such as blood circulation problems or breathing problems.

In this connection it is of greatest importance that the post-surgical mobilization of the patient is carefully controlled without neglecting to take into account the basic suffering.

In most of the cases it is advisable to stay in the rehabilitation clinic for 2 to 3 weeks.

Should you wish a stationary stay in a rehabilitation clinic after the hospitalization, we will of course take care of your request for the reimbursement previously or during your hospital stay and submit a respective demand from your health insurance.

• Your health insurance card
• Your old medical records and X-rays
• If you have them, any referrals from your primary care physician

• Your old medical records and X-rays
• Any referrals from your primary care physician
• The signed patient information sheet about the operation
• Any medicines you regularly take or a list of such medicines
• Personal toiletries (toothbrush etc.)
• Other personal articles (reading glasses etc.)
• Swimming trunks / swim suit / bathroom slippers
• A bath robe
• Reading material and music
• You could also bring sneakers

Between 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the type of operation.

Yes you can. And as an OZM patient you can also have your operation recorded on video or photographed.
Ask us about this!

The time you will be unfit for work very largely depends on your type of professional activity. But, generally speaking, you should reckon with a period of about two weeks.
Ask us about this during the consultation and we’ll be able to give you a forecast tailored to your own particular situation.

Spontaneous improvement in your painful condition depends on the diagnosed cause. In the best case you will be pain-free a few weeks after the operation.
However, if cartilage damage or degeneration (arthritis) is found during the knee arthroscopy, it may well be that a larger follow-up intervention needs to be planned that cannot be carried out at the same time as the arthroscopy.
If a cruciate ligament tear is found, we may well advise you to have a follow-up operation on the cruciate ligament.

As a rule very little pain is involved in the operation.

Often this question can only be answered during the endoscopy itself because it’s frequently only this that can deliver exact findings about the cause of your problem.
So please inquire after the operation so you can register the operation with your relevant health insurance fund.