Alpha Klinik doctor is wicked good with knee injuries.
German actor Heinz Hoenig was forced to quit work on a film owing to acute knee pain. World-class Hungarian wrestler László Klausz anticipated the end of his career because he could no longer bear the aching in his knees. As neither of these busy men could afford to lie for weeks in a hospital bed, they finally sought help at Munich’s swank Alpha-Klinik in Bogenhausen. Within days of their respective operations, both patients were back on their feet. Knee specialist Jürgen Toft, who founded the clinic in 1985, boasts an international clientele — patients travel from more than 60 countries to be healed at the Munich facility. What brings them here? In addition to Toft’s fine track record, the surgeons at the Alpha-Klinik employ the most modern surgical technology. Such instruments allow specialists to make the least number of incisions possible, thus reducing the recovery time. Be it a dislocated kneecap or damaged cartilage, Toft ensures the surgery will be as minimally invasive as possible. The result: most patients are able to get up and leave the operating room, without assistance, two hours after the anesthesia has worn off. Unlike some doctors who seek to profit from needlessly bedridden patients, Toft doesn’t wish to rob his patients of their most precious commodity — time. “Many return to their homes the same day,” assures the surgeon, “and within a week they are back in business.” The hospital also offers first-class accommodations — the Alpha-Klinik bears a closer resemblance to a fancy resort than a medical center. No offensive disinfectant odor, no white coats or military-style bed sheets — instead, the patient is welcomed by a designer-wear-donning receptionist, plush indigo carpeting and cheery apricot walls. “Bacteria knows no wall color,” jokes Toft, “we wish to tax patients as little as possible and, through the décor, assure them they will soon be well.” A staff of 100 helps to keep the promise of health, as do the clinic’s business hours — surgery may be performed 365 days a year. The specialty of Toft’s house is “Bioprothesis,” the repair of damaged knee joint cartilage. “During this procedure, a small tube is inserted into the knee, which serves as a canal through which we can work,” explains the expert. An arthroscope — a tiny, lathe-like instrument is then inserted into the tube. Using what Toft calls “the Abrasion Technique,” the doctor scrapes away damaged cartilage, enabling the blood to flow normally through the joint again. “We have perfected this technique to such a high degree that I can safely say we are the only clinic that can boast an optimal regrowth of cells.” Toft takes his work and his patients seriously, every step of the way. “Each operation is recorded onto a video cassette and the tape is then given to the patient upon checkout.” The surgeon, who describes in detail what he is doing and why while being filmed, feels this is an excellent way to involve the afflicted in the repair phase, but also regards patient knowledge as a form of future injury prevention. “Those who view their tape can better process the operation emotionally, and at the same time see what to do or, better, what it would be prudent not to do.” What does the luxury treatment, including customized video filming, cost? “We triple the legal standard cost of the operation,” says Toft, “not unlike chief surgeons at other hospitals.” It is important to know in advance that many private insurance companies are reluctant to cover the expenses of Alpha-Klinik operations. “But, even in this dilemma, we don’t leave our customers in the lurch. We have an in-house lawyer who can help with such complicated matters.” For László Klausz, the investment paid off. Just nine months after Dr. Toft worked his magic at the Alpha-Klinik, the well-healed wrestler copped the Vice World Master title in the heavyweight division. <<<