Knee Replacement Surgery | Endoprosthetics Center - Vivantes Auguste Viktoria Clinic

At the Endoprosthetics Center of Maximum Care at Vivantes Auguste-Viktoria-Clinic in Berlin, we specialize in knee and hip joint replacement and provide endoprosthetic care in accordance with audited, certified quality standards. We have been recognized as an EPZmax since 2014 under the EndoCert quality initiative of the relevant professional societies, and we undergo regular certification procedures to safeguard treatment quality and patient safety. As an EPZmax center, we meet higher requirements than a standard endoprosthetics center. This includes significantly higher minimum procedure volumes in knee, hip, and revision endoprosthetics, the ability to provide comprehensive, complex treatment for all patients, permanent availability of a broad portfolio of prosthesis types, and the capability to ensure intensive care co-management and 24-hour emergency coverage. For knee replacement, every operation is planned carefully in advance. We examine all relevant structures for integrity and function, obtain specialized X-rays shortly before surgery, and use a dedicated computer program to determine the implant model that best fits you, define the exact positioning and correct size, and simulate the knee procedure preoperatively. The operation is performed under regional or general anesthesia. We open the knee joint while protecting adjacent structures as much as possible, remove the worn joint surfaces of the femur and tibia sparingly, and prepare the bone for implantation of the prosthetic components. For a knee prosthesis, the operation usually takes 60–90 minutes; the procedure continues until the operating team is satisfied that the best possible result has been achieved. Immediately after the operation, we monitor you in the recovery room so we can respond quickly to discomfort or pain. Once you feel well, typically after 30 to 120 minutes, you return to the ward. Mobilization begins step by step on the day of surgery with support from our physiotherapists, and you are usually assisted by the same person you met before the operation. Early mobilization is a core principle for us because it supports faster healing and reduces the risk of complications; in general, you are back on your feet on the first day after surgery. For safety, you use forearm crutches (or, if needed, a walker) at the beginning. From the start, you train key functional goals, especially achieving full knee extension, and your walking distance increases day by day. From the third day, you can usually manage longer distances and begin stair training; by discharge, you are typically able to walk longer distances safely and climb stairs independently. For knee replacement at Vivantes, we use teh follwing materials:Metal components (femur + tibia);Typical implant metals are titanium alloys or cobalt-chromium–based alloys;Plastic bearing/insert (between the metals): a plastic (polyethylene) insert/disc between the metal components;The plastic is typically ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE);Fixation to bone: performed with bone cement. After knee replacement, you usually stay with us as an inpatient for five days. During this time, we monitor your recovery, complete all necessary checks, and work with you on rehabilitation to promote mobility and function of the new joint. The surgical wound generally heals within two to three weeks, and removal of suture material is typically recommended after 10-14 days. Knee replacement is a well-established procedure, and overall risks are generally low; typical risks include bruising, infection, blood clots, nerve damage, or thrombosis, and specific complications can include loosening, instability, or malfunction. These events are rare and, in most cases, treatable; our five-day inpatient monitoring is part of our efforts to ensure a safe and optimal recovery.