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Frequently Asked Questions

Does insurance cover such surgery?

When you have a health insurance contract with a non-Dutch health insurer you can be treated for your hip- or knee arthroses in CortoClinics.  For detailed information how to address the insurance and reimbursement we recommend you to get in touch, in advance, with our Chief Operations Manager: info@cortoclinics.com.

How long does a hip replacement last?

The average expected lifespan of a hip implant is between 15 and 20 years. But the length of time your hip replacement will last depends on many factors. How much stress is your implant subjected to? And what is the quality of the surrounding bone?

Implants are classified using the ODEP rating system. This benchmark is based on scientific evidence gathered on a group of implant users. The result is a rating made up of a number and a letter. The number indicates how many years the implant has lasted without problems among a high percentage of users. That number can be deceiving, though: an implant that has only been on the market for 5 years can never receive a rating of higher than 5. The longer a hip implant has been on the market, and thus also been studied, the higher the number can be. The letter in the benchmark indicates how large the group of users that participated in the study was. An A rating means that the group was large. The hip implants that CortoClinics uses have an ODEP rating of 13A.

I’m already a bit older and wonder about how useful hip replacement might be. How well do older people recover from this surgery?

There are obviously tremendous individual differences in terms of recovery. CortoClinics provides a personalized care plan that includes taking steps in advance of surgery to ensure that rehabilitation goes as smoothly as possible. Recent studies have shown good results with therapy started before surgery. We will discuss all of the options with you and provide you with the information you need to make the decision that’s right for you.

Is there also a kneecap implant?

Yes, there is. The standard procedure at CortoClinics, though, is for you to keep your kneecap in a total knee replacement, except in cases where that is not possible. Sometimes, the wear and tear is limited to only the kneecap and the rest of the joint is undamaged. In those cases, a kneecap prosthesis could be an option. This consists of a metal component (typically cobalt-chrome) affixed to the front of the thigh bone and a plastic component (polyethylene) cemented to the back side of the kneecap.

How long will it take to recover from knee replacement surgery?

Knee replacement surgery requires considerable rehabilitation. Most of your recovery occurs in the first 6 weeks to 3 months after surgery. That is not to say that the final result is achieved by that point. Some people require up to a year to achieve the final result and feel fully recovered.

How long will the operation take?

It takes about an hour to place the prosthetic joint. You then spend the night at the CortoClinics clinic, before immediately returning home the next morning.

Will I be able to resume all my normal activities with a new hip?

That is to say, after you’ve recovered, you can get back to your normal life. Moderately intense exercise, such as cycling and hiking, should become possible once again. Some people with a prosthetic hip joint also engage in more vigorous activities, such as skiing or jogging. While this is often possible, it also brings with it a higher risk of wear over time. The most important thing is your quality of life: exercise is healthy.

Does CortoClinics have a waiting list for Hip and Knee Replacements?

No, once we decide on surgery, we can schedule an appointment immediately.

How long will it take to recover from hip replacement surgery?

Hip replacement surgery requires considerable rehabilitation. Most of your recovery occurs in the first 6 weeks to 3 months after surgery. That is not to say that the final result is achieved by that point. Some people require up to a year to achieve the final result and feel fully recovered.

What kinds of hip implants are there?

The two most important types of hip prostheses are the total hip prosthesis, which replaces both parts of the joint, and the ball-and-stem prosthesis. The latter replaces only the femoral head and is only used for hip fractures. CortoClinics treats osteoarthritis and therefore only performs total hip replacements.

There are many designs of total hip prostheses available. These vary in terms of three factors:

  • The materials the prosthesis is made of, the most common of which are metal, plastic, and ceramic.
  • The method by which the prosthesis is bonded to the surrounding bone, for example, with bone cement or press-fit.
  • The lifespan of the prosthesis, whereby most implants last 10-15 years.

At CortoClinics, you will discuss which type of hip implant is right for you with your doctor. Would you like to know more about the different types of hip implants? You can find more information (in Dutch) on this website: mijnheupprothese.nl.

I’m already a bit older and wonder about how useful knee replacement might be. How well do older people recover from this surgery?

There are obviously tremendous individual differences in terms of recovery. CortoClinics provides a personalized care plan that includes taking steps in advance of surgery to ensure that rehabilitation goes as smoothly as possible. Recent studies have shown good results with therapy started before surgery. We will discuss all of the options with you and provide you with the information you need to make the decision that’s right for you.

How long does a knee replacement last?

The average expected lifespan of a knee implant is between 15 and 20 years. But the length of time your knee replacement will last depends on many factors. How much stress is your implant subjected to? And what is the quality of the surrounding bone?

Implants are classified using the ODEP rating system. This benchmark is based on scientific evidence gathered on a group of implant users. The result is a rating made up of a number and a letter. The number indicates how many years the implant has lasted without problems among a high percentage of users. That number can be deceiving, though: an implant that has only been on the market for 5 years can never receive a rating of higher than 5. The longer a hip implant has been on the market, and thus also been studied, the higher the number can be. The letter in the benchmark indicates how large the group of users that participated in the study was. An A rating means that the group was large. For the knee implants that CortoClinics uses, the ODEP ratings are 5A for the partial knee prosthesis and 10A for the total knee prosthesis.

What are the advantages of using robotic-arm assisted technology?

The Mako robotic arm helps the orthopedic surgeon accurately position the hip or knee implant, producing results with a margin of error of less than a millimeter. The robotic arm has another important advantage: implant components can be placed using minimally invasive surgery. With this technique, the incision needed is smaller than with traditional hip or knee replacement surgery. Equally important, there is less damage to the surrounding soft tissue, such as tendons and muscles. That means you recover faster.

Will I be in pain after the surgery?

It is customary to feel some pain shortly after surgery. We use painkillers to combat this. The pain from hip or knee replacement surgery will diminish after about 2 weeks. It will continue to gradually dissipate further after that. Within 3 to 4 months after surgery, you should see a considerable improvement. Some people, however, require up to a year to achieve the final result and feel fully recovered.

Will I be able to resume all my normal activities with a new knee?

That is to say, after you’ve recovered, you can get back to your normal life. Moderately intense exercise, such as cycling and hiking, should become possible once again. Some people with a knee replacement also engage in more vigorous activities, such as skiing or jogging. While this is often possible, it also brings with it a higher risk of wear over time. The most important thing is your quality of life: exercise is healthy.

How soon can I visit the clinic?

Your first appointment can be scheduled within a week.