The endoprosthetics of hip and knee joints (hip arthroplasty, knee arthroplasty) is an increasingly sought-after field of orthopaedic surgery. With an ageing population and increasing demands on quality of life and mobility, the number of implantations of hip prostheses and knee prostheses is steadily increasing. At the same time, many public hospitals are facing significant challenges such as staff shortages, high patient numbers and unpredictable emergencies, leading to long waiting times and limited planning reliability.

Private clinics, on the other hand, are increasingly offering an attractive alternative for planned endoprosthetic procedures. This article examines why private clinics are establishing themselves as the preferred choice for hip and knee prostheses and how statutorily insured individuals can also benefit from these facilities.

2. The challenges in public hospitals

2.1 Staff shortages and workload

In German hospitals, there is a growing shortage of specialists. Nursing staff and doctors are under high pressure as they have to treat emergency cases in addition to elective procedures such as endoprosthetics. This can lead to planned operations being cancelled at short notice to keep capacities available for emergencies.

2.2 Long waiting times and poor planning

Patients who are dependent on a knee or hip replacement often have to wait for months for an appointment in public hospitals. In addition, there is the risk of short-term cancellations. This leads to uncertainty and frustration, especially for patients who are already suffering from severe pain and mobility restrictions.

2.3 Emergency care as a priority

In university and focus hospitals, emergency medicine is the top priority. This means that planned orthopedic procedures are often postponed to give priority to acute cases. Patients who require a hip or knee replacement suffer particularly from this practice, as their procedures are often not classified as "urgent".

3. Why private clinics are an ideal alternative

3.1 Structured and plannable treatment processes

Private clinics specialize in planned procedures and do not have an emergency admission. As a result, rescheduling is rare, and patients benefit from fixed surgical plans with reliable processes.

3.2 High specialization and excellent care

Many private hospitals specialize in specialized interventions such as endoprosthetics and work with experienced specialists. This leads to better surgical outcomes and a lower complication rate.

3.3 Optimal care and short distances

Due to a lower number of patients per nursing staff, care in private clinics is often more intensive and individualized. Patients receive high-quality medical care in a pleasant environment with state-of-the-art facilities.

3.4 Renowned specialists with high case numbers

Another advantage of private clinics is that renowned specialists in endoprosthetics are often active there. These doctors have a high number of performed hip and knee prosthesis operations, which has a positive impact on the quality of treatment. A high number of operations performed per surgeon is a crucial factor for the success of endoprosthetics, as it leads to a lower complication rate and better long-term results. Patients thus benefit from experienced surgeons who can specialize in individual needs.



4. No statutory insured persons in private clinics? - a common misconception

4.1 Individual cost coverage by statutory health insurance

Contrary to a widespread myth, private clinics are not reserved only for private patients. Statutorily insured individuals can also be treated there, provided the clinic does not charge more than a public hospital. The assumption of costs is carried out via a so-called individual cost coverage, which must be applied for with the health insurance fund.

4.2 Example: The Endoprotheticum and Prof. Kutzner

Prof. Kutzner and his team regularly operate on statutorily insured patients in private clinics without incurring additional costs for the patients. The treatment costs correspond to the statutory flat rates that also apply in public hospitals.

4.3 Not all health insurance companies are involved yet

However, there is currently no blanket coverage of costs for treatment in private hospitals by all statutory health insurance providers. While some insurers already approve individual cost coverage, others have so far rejected this. There is hope that with increasing awareness of this possibility and positive experiences from patients, further health insurance providers will reconsider their approach and also cover the costs for endoprosthetic interventions in private hospitals in the future.

5. The Future of the Hospital Landscape in Germany

5.1 Hospital closures and centralization

Due to political decisions, smaller hospitals are being closed increasingly in Germany. The aim is to shift medical care to large centers. This leads to a concentration of treatment cases in a few clinics, which are thus even more heavily burdened.

5.2 The growing demand for endoprosthetics

The number of hip and knee prostheses will increase significantly in the coming decades. At the same time, large clinics will be overwhelmed by this wave of patients, as they have to cover many other specialist areas in addition to endoprosthetics.

5.3 Private clinics as a sustainable alternative for hip and knee prostheses

Private specialist clinics offer a solution to this problem. By focusing on plannable orthopedic interventions, they can work efficiently and with high quality.

6. Conclusion: Why the future of endoprosthetics lies in private clinics

Given the growing challenges in public hospitals and the increasing demand for hip and knee prostheses, private clinics offer an excellent alternative. They enable planned, high-quality, and individualized care and are also accessible to those with statutory insurance. With the expected centralization of the clinic landscape, the role of private clinics in endoprosthetics will continue to grow and make a decisive contribution to the medical care of the future.