Dr. med. Martin Nolde

As a native of Upper Bavaria, returning to Munich feels like coming back to my roots. I reflect on my time as an attending physician at St. Elisabeth Hospital in Dillingen, where I worked from 1991 to 2010. For nearly 20 years, I dedicated my professional efforts to managing and developing the orthopedic ward, which had 20 beds and performed approximately 700 surgeries each year. In my orthopedic practice, I focused on various surgeries, particularly shoulder surgery and endoprosthetic replacements of the hip and knee joints. I became especially fascinated by advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques for hip replacement, which consistently led to improved outcomes. I view surgical practice as a blend of natural science, manual skill, and medical responsibility. During an observership with Dr. Laude in Paris in early 2007, I discovered the AMIS technique for hip replacement surgery, which focuses on minimizing trauma. This method avoids cutting through tendons and muscles to implant the artificial hip joint. After performing the procedure on the first few patients, I became entirely convinced of its effectiveness. I often share in my patients' joy when, just one or two days after their hip replacement, they can stand pain-free on their newly operated leg and take their first steps without crutches. AMIS stands for Anterior Minimal Invasive Surgery for hip replacement, and it represents the gentlest surgical technique available for hip replacement, which accesses the hip from the front. The anatomy of the hip muscles in this area practically invites us to adopt this specific approach. As an AMIS instructor at the reference center in Dillingen, I have had the opportunity to lecture in various locations, including Tours and Nice in France. What excites me most is that Dillingen has become one of the birthplaces of this surgical technique. The AMIS technique is still being applied with skill and passion in hip replacement surgery, led by my long-time colleague and collaborator, Dr. Jürgen Beck. I take great joy in witnessing the growing international interest in this surgical technique. It is gratifying to see doctors from all over Germany traveling to learn about the relatively unknown AMIS technique. Since my return to Munich in 2011, there has been significant progress in hip replacement surgery, particularly in Munich. At the beginning of 2011, only two surgeons in Munich regularly used the AMIS technique. However, many prominent hospitals have since recognized this minimally invasive method and have sent young colleagues to training courses to incorporate it into their practices. I am pleased to have persuaded many of my younger colleagues of the advantages of the AMIS technique. I am confident that it will continue to gain traction, particularly among the next generation of surgeons. After nine years at Orthopraxx, I am embarking on a new chapter with the Orthopedic Center Bogenhausen. I am grateful to have found a colleague in Dr. Dominikus Hausmann, who shares my enthusiasm and conviction for the AMIS technique. He possesses exceptional manual dexterity, enabling him to implement this demanding technique with excellence. Since April 1, 2020, we have also welcomed another skilled surgeon, Dr. Christoph Buchhold, who shares our passion for the AMIS technique. Additionally, we are pleased to have Dr. Rupert Neuner on our team, an experienced orthopedic surgeon specializing in conservative treatment, allowing us to offer a comprehensive range of orthopedic care.