Specialist in Foot Surgery in Castrop-Rauxel (North Rhine-Westphalia): Dr Uwe Klapper

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Dr Uwe Klapper is a foot and joint surgery specialist and head physician of the Clinic for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery with an affiliated foot and ankle joint center for maximum care at St. Rochus Hospital in Castrop-Rauxel.

The complex interactions of the various components such as bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles in the functionality and form of the foot and ankle joint in the case of illnesses, deformities, or injuries require special knowledge and experience, which Dr Klapper and his team provide. In addition to comprehensive diagnostics and counseling, the entire spectrum of conservative and surgical therapies is offered to ensure freedom from pain, mobility, and quality of life while meeting the needs and wishes of the patient.

In doing so, Dr Klapper draws on the experience of the last twenty years. He obtained his foot and ankle joint surgeon certificate from the German Association for Foot and Ankle Joint Surgery (DAFDAF) as early as 2004. Since then, he has worked as a speaker and course instructor for this professional association. During this time, he has followed and accompanied the development and introduction of new techniques. He has run the certified Center for Foot and Ankle Joint Surgery for over ten years.

Walking without Pain: Treatment of Hallux Valgus and Claw Toes

A bunion, or hallux valgus as it is known in medical terms, is characterized by an inward rotation of the big toe. The misalignment forces the adjacent toes outwards. The condition may be genetic or caused by inflammatory diseases such as arthritis or years of wearing the wrong footwear. Hallux valgus can be treated conservatively with insoles and splints for a while. However, it is rarely possible to reverse the deformity. In most cases, only its progression can be delayed and possibly stopped. However, the increasing deformity usually requires surgical treatment in the long term. The deformity causes problems, especially when wearing closed shoes, as the foot becomes too narrow in the shoe. This can lead to pressure points, calluses, and sometimes even sore spots. The affected big toe can cause severe pain and discomfort when walking in the long run.

At the Center for Foot and Ankle Joint Surgery at St. Rochus Hospital in Castrop-Rauxel, patients will find highly competent and experienced contact persons to plan and implement individual therapy. Various surgical procedures are used, which are recommended to the patient after detailed consultation with Dr Klapper.

In addition to bunion toe, Dr Klapper also provides professional and competent advice on the clinical picture of claw toe. There is a downward curvature in the second to fourth toe area, and the toe remains in this curved state.

In this case, a surgical procedure can be carried out if conservative measures do not sufficiently help. Today, minimally invasive procedures are increasingly used for small toe malposition. In any case, the surgeon aims to improve the patient's quality of life and enable pain-free walking.

Highest Level of Expertise in the Treatment of Foot Deformities: Flatfoot and High-Arched Foot Treatment

Foot malposition, such as flat feet and high arches, can cause annoying discomfort with every step. Flat feet flatten the arch so the entire foot touches the ground when walking. On the other hand, high arches lead to uneven pressure on the heel and ball of the foot, which can cause pain and instability. Both deformities endanger the stability of the entire ankle in the long term and can have adverse effects on the knee and hip joints. Treatment is necessary if severe discomfort and pain occur.

A special group of patients with disorders of deep sensitivity, so-called polyneuropathy, is particularly affected by this type of deformation. In many cases, such a nerve disorder is triggered by diabetes mellitus. However, it can also occur without any recognizable underlying disease. The disorder of nerve control often means that the deformation goes unnoticed for a long time. The cardinal symptom of pain is absent in these patients.

Dr Klapper creates an individual treatment plan for those patients and recommends various conservative measures. These include special physiotherapy, the fitting of shoe insoles, prescription of shoe modifications, and even custom-made shoes.

In very severe cases with severe and persistent symptoms, surgical therapy is planned and carried out. The decision to undergo invasive surgery is always carefully weighed up by a foot surgery specialist, and the individual surgical steps and postoperative measures are explained in detail and comprehensibly in advance by an experienced doctor.

Years of Experience in Treating Arthrosis in the Big Toe and the Foot Joints

Arthrosis changes in the big toe and foot joints are often characterized by pain and signs of inflammation exacerbated by weight-bearing. The big toe is affected particularly often. Arthrosis is associated with degenerative deterioration of the joint cartilage and leads to pain, inflammation, and limited mobility. Every step and even prolonged standing can become a burden for patients.

In many cases, treatment can be conservative. This includes physiotherapy, pain medication, shoe insoles, and cold therapy. Injection treatments with corticoids or hyaluronic acid can be helpful in many cases. In more pronounced cases, Dr Klapper recommends the surgical treatment approach. The orthopedic specialist explains the available surgical measures and offers various treatment options.

Ruptured Ligaments and Chronic Instability: Customized, Modern Therapies

Ruptured ligaments often occur due to twisting or turning during sporting activity and are characterized by swelling and pain after the trauma. After immediate acute measures such as cooling and elevation, an experienced doctor will examine the ankle joint closely to determine the extent of the injury. Imaging techniques are also used to exclude bone involvement. Depending on the injury, the subsequent therapy can be conservative or surgical.

Despite acute treatment, some patients experience persistent pain symptoms or even permanent ankle instability. Cartilage damage can also occur after such an injury, leading to later complaints. In these cases, detailed diagnostics with MRI and DVT are needed to determine the extent of the damage and to plan the therapy accordingly. Arthroscopy of the ankle is the treatment of choice in most cases. Cartilage damage can also be treated, and replacement plastics of the ligament injuries can be performed using this technique. In some cases, a combined open and arthroscopic procedure is necessary.

Ankle Joint Arthrosis: Prosthesis or Arthrodesis (Stiffening)

The number of patients with arthrosis of the upper ankle joint is significantly lower than those with hip and knee arthrosis. In Germany, about 1,000 ankle joint endoprostheses are implanted yearly, compared to about 150,000 hip and knee implantations. Only a few clinics have specialized in ankle joint treatment. Dr Klapper has been carrying out these surgeries regularly for many years. Prosthetics for the ankle joint have developed rapidly in recent years. Now, so-called individual templates are also available for the ankle joint, which have significantly improved the precision and, as a result, the function of the joints.

The experienced foot surgeon uses state-of-the-art joint prostheses that can be implanted with minimal bone removal during the surgery. The modern prosthesis then grows stably into the bone tissue. This significantly reduces the risk of subsequent prosthesis loosening so that an excellent and lasting surgical result can be achieved.

The need for upper ankle joint stiffening has been further reduced. But even in such cases, Dr Klapper routinely offers all treatment options, from simple screw fixation to complex trans-talar arthrodesis with an intramedullary nail. He explains to the patient in detail which procedure is the right one for them and which is the most suitable for their situation, promising the greatest benefit and success for their personal situation.

Dr Klapper explains the individual steps of the surgery and the postoperative rules of conduct in detail. Even during the follow-up treatment, the doctor takes a lot of time to answer any questions in detail.

Specialist in Heel Spurs in North Rhine-Westphalia

A wide range of inflammatory foot conditions can contribute to developing a calcaneal spur on the heel. This bony protrusion can cause discomfort and pain and significantly restrict those affected in their daily lives. A precise and professional diagnosis is made at the Center for Foot and Ankle Joint Surgery at St. Rochus Hospital, and an individual treatment plan is designed for the patient to avoid a prolonged process from the very beginning.

Dr Klapper first emphasizes the importance of exhausting all conservative treatment options, such as physiotherapy, special stretching exercises, anti-inflammatory pain medication, and medical shoe insoles. In addition, injections with cortisone can be used to alleviate the symptoms. A surgical approach can be considered if no satisfactory improvement can be achieved.

It is also essential to distinguish between the lower and upper heel spurs. The upper heel spur irritates the Achilles tendon at its insertion. There is often a bony prominence of the heel bone, known as Haglund's deformity. Ensuring that the Achilles tendon is intact and shows no tears or calcification is important in these cases.

Depending on the findings, the spectrum of possible surgeries ranges from simple removal of the heel spur to a separation of the fascia of the sole to a detachment and re-implantation of the Achilles tendon at the heel bone. These procedures are frequently carried out at the center in Castrop-Rauxel. When the tendon is detached and reimplanted, consistent immobilization in an orthosis for several weeks after the surgery is necessary.

Dr Klapper is one of the specialists for heel spurs in North Rhine-Westphalia. The goal is to regain mobility and quality of life so that pain-free movement is easily possible.

Please visit the website of the Center for Foot and Ankle Joint Surgery at St. Rochus Hospital Castrop-Rauxel for more information.