Patrick Kannberg wrote a wonderful article about us in Navenant Magazine. The photography is by Jean-Pierre Geusens.
The Next Step in Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis
When suffering from hip and knee complaints, probably the last thing you want to think about is an implant. But what if physical therapy or painkillers no longer provide you with the level of mobility you want? That’s when an artificial joint replacement becomes something more than an abstract concept. If that happens, it’s nice to have CortoClinics on your side. The innovative orthopedic center in Schijndel focuses solely on treating hip and knee osteoarthritis and has a homey feel.
Avoiding Surgery
Joint disease turns simple tasks such as a run to the supermarket into hellish ordeals. This is due to a breakdown in cartilage, which is responsible for decreasing the friction between the moving parts in the joint. The cartilage deteriorates as a result of osteoarthritis, or wear and tear, causing the bones to rub against one another, a particularly painful condition that generally prompts a search for something to ease the discomfort. “It starts with you,” begins Dr. Nanne Kort, orthopedic surgeon and the driving force behind CortoClinics. “Depending on the deterioration, you might be able to take a painkiller or modify the strain on the joint. If that doesn’t work, the next step is usually a visit to the doctor. He or she will decide, together with a physical therapist and others, whether the disorder can be treated with physical therapy, medication, or perhaps a brace. This preliminary stage takes at least 6 months, and if the client finds no relief with the non-operative treatment, then CortoClinics can investigate whether an implant is an option. It is important in any event that every effort be made during that preliminary stage to prevent surgery, because any cut of the knife carries risk.”
Quality of Life
A hip or knee replacement is a momentous decision, a “last option” with an intensive recovery period that requires maximum support. That’s why the person behind the ailment is the top priority at CortoClinics throughout the treatment process. “Here, we treat clients and their families the way we would want to be treated. We never rush things and provide our clients with sincere, individualized attention and clarity. In addition, clients are given my personal cell phone number, and we are always reachable, 7 days a week. Hips and knees have to move during the weekends, as well, so CortoClinics moves with them. The client is the captain of the ship; we merely play a supporting role. It is only during surgery that the orthopedic surgeon is in control.”
It is the client who determines whether to proceed with surgery, depending on their wishes or overall objective. “He or she could have the hip or knee operated on, but could also live to be 105 with it. The common thread is about the quality of life one wishes to have. One person is satisfied with taking short hikes, another wants to still be able to ski or swim. It is highly personal. That’s why we think it’s important for the client to think carefully about the pros and cons, be given enough time to make preparations, and eventually make a well-informed choice.” Because CortoClinics focuses exclusively on treating hip and knee osteoarthritis with prosthetics, it has a wealth of knowledge and expertise, and the wait times for treatment are short. “The wait time for an appointment at the clinic is a week, and once a decision has been made, the client can generally be operated on within 4 weeks.”
State-of-the-art Technology
Dr. Kort is always looking for new capabilities and methods for optimizing the provision of care. That has led to CortoClinics being the first treatment center in the Netherlands to perform hip and knee replacements using state-of-the-art robotic-arm technology (the Mako System). “We want to have the best resources in-house to ensure that the implant is placed as optimally as possible. That is because poorly aligned or unstable placement often leads to new complaints or even repeat surgeries. So, the prosthesis placement is digitally planned in advance, and we use the Mako robotic arm and accompanying computer during surgery. This supportive technology provides a constant stream of information about the position of the implant and enables me to operate with great precision, down to the millimeter. All of that greatly reduces the risk of collateral damage to the blood vessels or ligaments and inaccurate placement of the prosthesis.” You might expect that treatment in such an advanced clinic would carry a hefty price tag, but you would be wrong. The care provided is covered by your health insurance, minus the legally required deductible. Because of this, Dr. Kort and his team have already been able to help many people. And to great success, if the effusive words of gratitude from the many treated clients in the clinic’s blue guest book are any indication.
