Orthopedics in Berlin

Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that deals with the conditions involving the musculoskeletal system, including the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. A doctor who specializes in orthopedics is called an orthopedist. The musculoskeletal conditions that orthopedists can treat may be present from birth or occur as a result of injury or age-related wear and tear. Some of the most common conditions that an orthopedist can treat are as follows:

• Bone fractures
• Joint pain from arthritis
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Soft tissue, including muscles, ligament, and tendon, injuries
• Shoulder pain and problems, such as bursitis
• Worn out and sports injuries, such as meniscus tears, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, and tendinitis
• Congenital conditions, such as scoliosis and clubfoot.

Orthopedists can conduct diagnostic tests, including physical examinations and X-rays. They use both surgical and nonsurgical approaches to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal issues. The procedures performed by orthopedists include, but are not limited to:

• Total joint replacement
• Knee ligament surgery, including knee arthroscopy
• Shoulder arthroscopy
• Carpal tunnel release
• Fracture repair surgery
• Spinal fusion
• Hip replacement
• LaminectomyFracture repair surgery, including repair of the ankle, the femoral neck, and trochanteric fracture
• Bone grafting surgery
• Osteotomy
• Herniated disk surgery
• Debridement of muscle, bone, or fracture.

How Long Should I Stay in Berlin?

Depending on the condition for which you were treated and the type of treatment you underwent, you may be able to leave the hospital the same day or the day after surgery. In general, you should wait at least 4 to 7 days before you travel home for most surgeries. This is because surgery can affect your ability to tolerate turbulence. After total hip replacement, it is recommended that you take it very easy for around 3 months to minimize the risk of hip dislocation. During your stay in Berlin you will need to attend several follow-up checkups where your orthopedist will monitor your healing and remove any stitches (if necessary). 

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Several factors determine your recovery period, including your overall health, the reason you needed an orthopedic treatment, and the type of treatment you had. Your orthopedist will give you a detailed post-operative plan, including when you can go back to your normal routine and work. The recovery period takes approximately 2 weeks to 3 months.

What Aftercare is Required?

Make sure to follow your orthopedist direction after treatment. In most cases, you will need to attend rehabilitation, such as physical therapy and occupational therapy, which you can do at a facility in your home country or have home visits from a physical therapist. The goal of physical therapy is to increase your range of motion, improve function, and to regain your strength and ability. 

What's the Success Rate?

The advancement of orthopedics and a deeper understanding of the musculoskeletal system have made orthopedic treatments safer and highly successful. For example, over 95% of patients who had total hip replacement experience relief from hip pain. However, while orthopedics surgery generally does not cause major risks, you still need to be aware that complications can occur, such as infections, blood clots, blood vessel damage, bone fracture, and joint stiffness. 

Are there Alternatives?

There is typically no other alternatives than seeing an orthopedist if you experience any problems in your bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons. However, depending on your condition, you may be able to undergo acupuncture, home exercise programs, and other alternative treatments.

Orthopedics in and around Berlin

About Berlin

Berlin is the capital and the largest city of Germany and with over 3.7 million inhabitants; it is the second-most populous city of the European Union after London. It is an alpha city of culture, politics, media, and science. The metropolitan city is also a popular tourist destination, thanks to its rich history, vibrant culture, lively parties, delightful food, and incredible architecture.  

Today, Berlin is one of the most popular destinations for medical tourism. The number of medical tourists coming to the city increases each year. Most of them travel from Poland, the Netherlands, France, and the Middle East. Some of the more popular treatments are oncology, cardiology, dentistry, and even tummy tuck. Although the cost is considerably higher than the neighboring countries such as Hungary, medical tourists still come for high-quality treatment with cutting-edge technology. Thousands of medical tourists prefer Berlin for the following reason:

• A patient-focused health-care system with a wide range of treatment.
• Qualified doctors, surgeons, nurses, and other medical practitioners. 
• Hospitals equipped with modern technology.
• Higher quality treatments, care, and services.
• Attractive destination and environment, perfect for rejuvenating and recovery.

Popular Areas in Berlin

As a famous tourist destination, Berlin has numerous attractions to see and many things to do. Whether you want to indulge in its culture, eat its food, or have a non-stop party, there will always be something for you.

• Museum Island (Museumsinsel) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a unique group of five world-renowned museums and it is the perfect place for those who love history and culture. From Ancient Egyptians, Roman Antiquity, the civilizations of the ancient Greek, Christian, and Islamic arts, to 19th Century European Art is available to see in the museums. 
• Brandenburg Gate is Berlin’s most famous landmark. This 18th-century neoclassical monument used to symbolize divided Germany during the cold war since the Berlin Wall shut off access to the gate for both East and West Germans. Now, it has turned into a symbol of unity.
• Berlin Wall Memorial is located in the middle of the city where East and West were once divided. The memorial extends along 1.4 kilometers of the former border strip and contains the last piece of the Berlin Wall. The historical remnants and traces of borders are preserved on display so visitors can see and learn more about the history behind it. 
• Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) is the biggest church building in Berlin. The architecture and interior will leave visitors in awe. The architect, Julius Raschdorff, used the style of the Italian High Renaissance and Baroque elements. The interior is magnificent with marble columns and golden ornaments in abundance.
• Glass Dome of the Reichstag is an architectural masterpiece constructed on top of the rebuilt Reichstag building. The rooftop terrace and dome offer an outstanding view of the parliamentary and government district as well as Berlin’s skyline. There is also a restaurant on the rooftop.

Weather and Climate in Berlin 

Just like the rest of Germany, Berlin enjoys four distinct seasons, making it a year-round destination for tourists. Spring starts around March and ends in May. This season is characterized by the arrival of cherry blossoms and the increase of the temperature. The temperature is around 4.3 °C in early March and will get as warm as 19.4 °C in May.

Summer runs from June to August with an average temperature of 24 °C but can get as high as 30 °C in the hottest days. This season is the peak of tourism because people can enjoy outdoor activities, so prices can be a lot higher than usual.

The months of September and November are Autumn. The weather in this season is similar to summer, which is warm and pleasant. However, the temperature can drop significantly in late November. Tourists usually visit the city during autumn for the Oktoberfest.

Winter in the city can be freezing, cloudy, and wet. The temperature can plummet to -10 °C on the coldest days. The city is generally very festive during this season, thanks to the Christmas spirit. 

Getting Around in Berlin

Berlin has two main airports: Berlin Tegel Airport and Berlin Schönefeld Airport. The main international airport is the Berlin Tegel Airport located in the northwest. The airport serves domestic flights to other cities in Germany and international flights to almost every major city around the globe. Berlin Schönefeld Airport is the secondary airport that mainly serves budget airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair. It is also an international airport that operates domestic and international flights. To get to the city center from both airport, bus, train, taxi or car are available. 

To get around Berlin, there are various transportation modes to choose from. The main means of transport in the capital is the U-Bahn system, which comprises 9 metro lines and 173 stations. During peak hours, trains run every two to five minutes and every ten minutes in the evening and on Sundays. Along with the U-Bahn, the S-Bahn system is also one of the main means of transport. It has 15 lines serving 166 stations and has a longer average distance between station than the U-Bahn. 

Tourists can also ride the tram and the tram lines mostly operate in the eastern neighborhoods since the tram lines in the former West Berlin were replaced by bus and U-Bahn. The tram lines operate 24 hours a day in some areas. 

The bus in Berlin has around 151 lines running every 10 minutes for 24 hours. The buses also replace metro trains during closing hours. Taxis can be found easily enough around the city, with more than 7,000 taxicabs. The taxis can be identified by the beige or ivory color. The base fare is 3.90 EUR and tourists can hail the taxis from the street, by phone, or via an app. Other transportation such as Ferry, car sharing, and e-scooter is also available.

Tourist Visas in Berlin

The citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, the United States, and Switzerland can enter and stay in Berlin for up to 90 days. Since Germany is a member of the European Union, citizens from other European Union countries do not need to obtain a visa to enter. Citizens of other countries need a Schengen Visa. It is advisable to always check the requirements for Germany Visa Application before applying.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the euro (EUR). 1 USD is equivalent to 0.81 EUR.
2. Money & Payments: Tourists can find ATMs almost everywhere within the city. Although credit card acceptance is growing, remember that cash is king in the city. Therefore, it is best to always carry some cash. Note that it is considered rude to leave a tip on the table. You should tell the server the total amount you want to pay. For a good restaurant service, a 10% tip is acceptable. For taxis, tourists can tip 10%, rounding to a full euro.
3. Local Language: German is the official language. Most people in the city will speak English, in hotels, restaurants, and shops.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Over 60% of Berlin’s population has no religious affiliation, while 30% identified as Christian.
5. Public Holidays: As most of German, Berlin celebrates major Christian religious holidays such as Easter and Christmas.