A damaged knee

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Surgery or not?

If a specialist recommends surgery, obtaining a second opinion is always advisable. The Consumer Advice Centre informs that there is a legal right to a medical second opinion for certain plannable procedures or surgeries, and that health insurance covers the cost. Doctors who provide second opinions must be specially qualified and independent. Patients should be cautious if their own health insurer recommends a second-opinion doctor, the Consumer Advice Centre advises. In such cases, the specialists could tend to advise against surgery in order to save costs. Cost savings are also what Health Minister Nina Warken has in mind regarding the planned mandatory second opinion system.

This measure aims to prevent unnecessary surgeries as well as risky procedures, such as those involving the spine but also the knee. It is also expected to improve treatment quality by ensuring that all conservative options are exhausted first. Not least, the second opinion also gives patients more confidence in making the decision that best benefits their health. Whether knee problems improve also depends on patient behaviour: appropriate exercise, if possible, maintaining a healthy weight, an anti-inflammatory diet, and following all physiotherapy and medical treatments are good prerequisites for reducing or even eliminating persistent symptoms.

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