‘A technically successful operation is only a success if it improves the patient's life’

What is the key message of your inaugural lecture, and why did you choose this topic? 

“Orthopaedics is about much more than bones, joints and surgery. It is about helping people stay mobile and continue participating in everyday life. Whether that means working, playing, looking after themselves or going for a walk with their grandchildren. That is why my inaugural lecture is titled ‘The Step That Carries Everything’.” 

“A technically successful operation is only truly a success if it improves the patient's life. I have seen patients whose X-rays looked excellent after surgery, yet who continued to experience pain and made little progress. This has taught me to look beyond the X-ray and always ask myself what a treatment actually achieves for the patient.” 

What are some of the main areas of research you and your team are working on? 

“One area of research that is particularly close to my heart is radioimmunotherapy for infections around prosthetic implants. In this approach, we attach a radioactive substance to an antibody that targets bacteria, allowing us to fight them directly. We are currently studying this treatment in the laboratory and in animal models. The next step is to investigate whether this technique can also be used in patients.” 

“In addition, we conduct research into the treatment of sarcomas, malignant tumours of the bones and soft tissues, and benign bone tumours in children. We are also developing predictive models for complications such as infections and thrombosis. By using patient data and artificial intelligence, we aim to better predict which patients are at increased risk and how we can prevent complications.” 

What would you like to teach young doctors about the profession and patient care? 

“Many of my research questions arise during patient consultations. Why does someone continue to experience pain? Why does a complication occur? Should we have made a different decision? I take these questions into my research and into the training of young doctors.” 

“As a former surgical trainer, I believe it is important that young doctors learn not only how to operate well, but also how to listen, question their decisions and work together. They need to understand when surgery is beneficial, but also when not operating is the better choice. This requires a safe learning environment where they can practise, feel comfortable asking questions and openly discuss what went wrong. Often, these conversations are where the most valuable lessons are learned.” 

What experience from the past few years has stayed with you the most? 

“One experience from my training has always stayed with me. I operated on a woman who received a new hip. The operation had gone well from a technical perspective, but she subsequently developed a serious infection. Despite further operations and antibiotic treatment, she passed away. You never forget the sense of helplessness you feel at such a moment, or the grief of her family.” 

“That experience taught me that a well-performed operation is no guarantee of a good outcome. It has partly shaped the course of my career. Whenever I work on new treatments for prosthetic joint infections, she is still one of the patients I think about.” 

What impact can patients and society expect from your work? 

“I want patients to be able to return to their normal lives as much as possible after treatment. For some, that means returning to work; for others, it means being able to do their own shopping or play with their children.” 

“Achieving this requires more than simply performing a successful operation. We need to prevent complications as much as possible and carefully consider what a treatment can realistically achieve. Sometimes surgery is the best option, sometimes another treatment is more appropriate, and sometimes waiting is the wiser choice.” 

“When people can continue to function independently, this not only improves their own quality of life, but also has an impact on their loved ones and the healthcare system as a whole.” 

Looking ahead, where do you hope the field will be in 10 to 15 years? 

“I hope that, before an operation, we will be much better able to predict the risks an individual patient faces and then take targeted steps to reduce those risks. It is not just about providing a risk score, but above all about working together with the patient to improve their condition before surgery. Artificial intelligence can help us identify who needs additional preparation or protection.” 

“I also dream of a healthier society, with less obesity and much greater attention to sport and physical activity, especially among children. Growing up with an active lifestyle should be the norm.” 

“The greatest achievement in our field is not only that we become better at performing surgery, but also that fewer people need surgery in the first place.” 

Translated with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).