Hundred-thousand-service succeeded!

With one’s own body it’s like a car. After a certain mileage it needs a little more care and a few spare parts. When, as in my case, you’ve passed sixty, it inevitably comes. Even in the last years the check engine light came on from time to time, so to speak.

Knee pain has plagued me all my life, a small keepsake from the time I used to ski competitively. I had pushed it aside in recent years, but last year I reached a point where it could no longer go on this way. Not only was I battling constant pain, but I also owed it to my employees and my business. Everyone deserves a CEO who is in top shape and can give 100 percent, and I was far from that. Therefore a “workshop appointment” and a major service became unavoidable. After a closer inspection, it became clear that both knee joints needed to be replaced. The choice fell on two titanium replacement parts, known for their high durability :)

I found the doctor I trust in Dr. Torsten Burkhardt. The orthopedist runs the medical first-care center for orthopedics and trauma surgery in Ebern and operates at the Haßberg Clinics in Haßfurt. An absolute professional with a lot of experience in his field who knows what he’s doing. I looked forward to the operation appointments like a child, finally not running down ramps backwards anymore, finally climbing stairs normally again. The end of November brought the first operation. It was quite an adjustment, the first winter season in years where I was out of action, but truly out of action. The healing went as planned and I could participate in the World Cup in Trondheim. Even though the new joint still feels unfamiliar and I still have to work on my mobility – it still feels great to be pain-free. Last week the second knee was done. Operation succeeded, patient not dead but in good health. I must knock on wood three times to ensure everything really went well and I could be discharged to home care as early as yesterday.

A big thank you to Dr. Burkhardt and his team, to all the nurses and the entire orthopedic surgery ward, who selflessly cared for me. I hope I was at least bearable as a patient, even if I kept everyone on their toes with the faulty night bell. Now it’s time for the next rehabilitation block, so I can soon be completely back to my old self. I will still proudly show the implant passport at the security check on my next trips :-)

Your Peter Riedel