ORTHOPEDIST MUNICH
Munich is one of the cities with the highest concentration of orthopedic specialists in Germany. What initially sounds good quickly becomes a challenge. With so many options, how do you find the right orthopedic specialist for your problem in Munich?
Form your own opinion:
The chemistry has to be right: As a patient, you can often tell within minutes whether you feel comfortable with a doctor. Is the doctor friendly and approachable, does he or she appear well-groomed, and does he or she listen to you? These are all important factors. Of course, these don't necessarily reflect professional competence, but the psychological aspect always plays an important role in illness, and therefore the chemistry between doctor and patient must be right.
Experience is required: Experience is especially important in a surgical field. Ask your doctor how often they have performed a planned procedure and whether they still perform it regularly. As a guideline, 50 to 100 shoulder surgeries per year for the respective diagnosis (rotator cuff tears, osteoarthritis, etc.) means the doctor is quite experienced.
Degree of specialization: Specialization is important in many professions. A good tax attorney is usually not an expert in traffic law. Even among orthopedists and trauma surgeons, there are increasingly specialists in one joint, in addition to the valued generalists.
One-sided or multifaceted: A good doctor not only recommends one treatment method, but also presents alternatives and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of these methods with their patient. Be careful if one form of therapy is touted as the only cure, possibly even dismissing the treatment methods of their colleagues.
Word of mouth is important: Ask around among your friends and acquaintances for a doctor. Almost everyone has had a "shoulder" at some point these days and probably knows good and less recommended doctors for the particular problem. Review portals can also help with choosing a doctor. However, it's important to keep in mind that dissatisfied patients are more likely than satisfied to take the time to write a review. And not every practice that is criticized for long wait times, crowded waiting rooms, or a somewhat curt receptionist necessarily has bad doctors.
Need some criticism? Even if there isn't always time for hours-long discussions with patients in everyday practice, a doctor should always calmly explain the pros and cons of a procedure and remain patient and friendly if the patient questions something or wants more details.
FAQ about the right orthopedist for me.
Who can I trust?
Anyone who places their health, and sometimes even their life, in the hands of a doctor can and should have confidence. At least if, as a patient, they have a good feeling about the doctor and the expert is a proven expert in their field.
I read a lot on the internet and am unsure about my diagnosis.
Everyone is doing their research online! It's a completely normal step these days, and you get so much important information. It can save you from having to visit the doctor one or two times, which is generally a good thing. It makes less sense to turn to the internet after a diagnosis has been confirmed by two specialists. This often leads to confusion and uncertainty. Some people have already researched a disease based on various symptoms that they don't actually have.
PROF. DR. MED BEN OCKERT
Specialist in orthopedics and accident surgery, sports medicine.
