Unfortunately, I cannot join in the praise.
At the end of 2022, I met Professor Kutzner at the Joint Center in Wiesbaden. He was a very empathetic doctor who took a great deal of time during my examination and explained everything to me very well and in detail. It quickly became clear that both hip joints needed to be operated on and replaced. This was necessary due to a congenital malformation and six previous surgeries during my childhood. Professor Kutzner was able to see and explain, based on the X-rays, how the corrective osteotomy had been performed in my childhood. Since he had impressed me so much with his skills and knowledge, I became a patient at his private practice in Mainz and was determined to have him perform the surgery. In June 2023, both hip joints were scheduled to be replaced with total hip replacements in a single operation. The plan was for a five-day hospital stay followed by outpatient rehabilitation.
Ultimately, only one hip could be operated on the day of the surgery. Only the third implanted hip socket held, and it had to be procured from another clinic in Wiesbaden and transported to Frankfurt, where the surgery took place. I lay on the operating table for seven hours, lost 2.5 liters of blood, suffered damage to the femoral nerve, and experienced extreme leg length discrepancy. Mobilization was only possible about a week after the surgery. Professor Kutzner was no longer so friendly and empathetic; I had the impression that I was becoming a nuisance to him because I had skewed his statistics. I was supposed to be discharged two weeks after the surgery, but that wasn't possible given my condition. He advised me to go into short-term care at a nursing home, as I couldn't care for myself. Fortunately, the ward doctors at the clinic took pity on me, and I was allowed to stay in the hospital for a total of four weeks until inpatient rehabilitation began, where I received treatment for five weeks.
2. 2. 2. 2. 3. 5. 6. 5. 6. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 6. 5. 5. 5. 6. 5. 5. 6. 5. 5. 6. 5. 6. 5. 6. 7 ... On the day of my discharge, Professor Kutzner said goodbye with the words, "And then, after your rehab, come to my practice, and we'll discuss the second surgery. I know how it's done now." I don't know if that was meant to be funny; I certainly didn't think so.
I suspect that Professor Kutzner hadn't adequately prepared for my surgery. Due to my medical history, it wasn't a standard joint replacement. When I was looking for a surgeon for my second hip, I was also turned down by one doctor because the clinic where he operated wasn't equipped for a difficult case like mine. I really appreciated that. Perhaps Professor Kutzner should have considered this as well.
The result I now have to live with is a significantly lengthened leg, permanent damage to the femoral nerve, and severe limitations in my daily life and work. Lost income due to extended sick leave was an additional burden. A review for medical malpractice and an application to increase my disability rating were both rejected.
Thank you so much for this life-changing result!
By the way, the other hip has since been operated on at a different clinic and the surgery went very well.