Orthopedic Surgeon Germany – Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. mult. Joachim Grifka

Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. mult. Joachim Grifka is a distinguished orthopaedic surgeon, university professor, and medical expert. He specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the joints, spine, and musculoskeletal system.

Throughout his career, he has worked in patient care, academic medicine, and scientific research. He spent years treating patients, teaching, and contributing to the development of modern orthopaedic treatment. His academic and teaching career was especially strengthened during his 24-year tenure as Chief Physician and Head of the Orthopaedic Surgery Department at University Hospital Regensburg from 2000 to 2024.

His main areas of expertise include joint preservation and joint replacement (endoprosthetics), spinal disorders, sports orthopaedics, geriatric orthopaedics, and osteoarthritis. He also focuses on prevention, including targeted exercises and training to help reduce the risk of joint problems.

International patients seeking specialist orthopaedic care in Germany can request a consultation or a second opinion. The goal is to provide patients with a clear and well-informed assessment of their individual situation and help them understand their treatment options. Depending on the medical condition, recommendations may include non-surgical (conservative) treatment, further diagnostic evaluation, or surgical treatment.

Conservative treatment options include adipose-derived stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for osteoarthritis and muscle and tendon injuries, and injection treatments for joint and spinal conditions.

For surgical treatment, he specializes in arthroscopic surgery, minimally invasive knee and hip arthroplasty, partial or total hip replacement, partial or total knee replacement, spinal surgery, and other surgical interventions.

Prof. Grifka sees patients in offices in Munich and Parsberg. Outpatient surgery is performed at the Castra-Regina medical center in Regensburg and the Isar-AOP-Zentrum in Munich. Inpatient procedures take place at the Orthopedic Department of Herzogpark Clinic in Munich.

Patients can arrange an appointment with Dr. Grifka in Munich or Parsberg.

Request an appointment.

Educational Background and Professional Career

  • 1983 – Medical licensure, MD degree

  • 1989 – Completing specialist training in orthopaedics

  • 1993 – PhD in Orthopedics

  • 1997 – Appointed Professor at Ruhr University Bochum

  • 2000–2024 – Head of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at University Hospital Regensburg

  • 2008–2025 – Chair of the Science and Teaching Committee of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie (DGOU), the leading professional society for orthopedics and trauma surgery in Germany.

  • Since 2024 – Director of the Research Centre for Orthopaedics and Ergonomics at East Bavarian University of Applied Sciences in Regensburg

Qualifications & Areas of Expertise

  • Specialist in Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery

  • Specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

  • Fellow of the European Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EBOT)

  • Sports medicine

  • Rheumatological orthopaedics

  • Specialized pain therapy

  • Paediatric orthopaedics

Research & Selected Distinctions

  • 2026 – Paracelsus Medal, German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer), awarded for outstanding contributions to the medical profession – the highest award for physicians in Germany

  • 2025 – Honorary member of the German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery

  • 2020 and 2021 – Newsweek Award: one of the 100 World’s Best Specialized Hospitals in Orthopedics

  • 2017 – Honorary member of the Austrian Association of Orthopaedics

  • 2017 – Oskar-Medicine-Award 2017, in cooperation with Mrs. S. Dullien and Mrs. Prof. P. Jansen. “Prevention through physical activity“ 

  • 2015 – Corresponding member of Swiss orthopaedics and traumatology

  • 2015 – Honorary doctorate from the National Academy of Medical Science in Kharkiv

  • 2012 – Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany

  • 2006 – Innovation Award from the German government

  • 1997 – Fellowship of the Western Pacific Orthopaedic Association, awarded through the European Society for Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Appointments and Preparation

Prof. Grifka sees patients at orthopedic offices in Parsberg and Munich. Patients can arrange an appointment with Prof. Grifka at either location.

For surgical procedures, outpatient operations are performed at the Castra-Regina Medical Center in Regensburg and the Isar-AOP-Zentrum in Munich. Inpatient procedures take place at the Orthopedic Department of Herzogpark Clinic in Munich.

All patients can request an appointment by online form, email, or phone. When contacting the practice by email or phone, please provide a brief description of your condition, your contact details, and information about your health insurance. If you are using the online appointment request form, please follow the instructions provided.

Our team will review your request and get back to you as soon as possible.

Request an appointment.

Appointment availability depends on the type of consultation and the current schedule. We recommend contacting us as early as possible.

Consultation appointments are usually available within 3 weeks. Surgical procedures are usually scheduled within 6 weeks, depending on the type of procedure and availability. Emergency consultations and operations are possible.

Please bring all relevant medical records that may help us assess your condition. These may include previous medical reports, X-rays, MRI or CT scans, laboratory results, information about previous treatments or surgeries, and a list of your current medications.

If possible, please bring your imaging in digital format, together with the corresponding medical reports.

Consultations are available in both German and English.

If you don’t speak German or English and require an interpreter, please arrange for one to accompany you to your appointment.

During your consultation, we will review your medical history, current symptoms, previous treatments, and available medical records and imaging. A physical examination will also be performed where appropriate. Depending on your individual situation, additional diagnostic tests may be recommended.

The aim is to establish a clear understanding of your condition and discuss the treatment options available to you, including their potential benefits, risks, and limitations.

2. Medical Questions

A second orthopedic opinion can be helpful in a number of situations. For example, it may be valuable if several treatment options are available, or if you are uncertain about a diagnosis or proposed treatment.

A second opinion can also help if your symptoms persist despite previous treatment or if you would like an independent assessment before making an important treatment decision.

Surgery is not automatically the best treatment for every orthopedic condition. Not all patients with back problems, joint wear or osteoarthritis require a joint replacement. Depending on the diagnosis, symptoms, age, and individual circumstances, conservative treatment should be explored first.

Conservative treatment can include physiotherapy, medication, injections, PRP, activity modification, and other non-surgical approaches.

A special treatment option is stem cell therapy, especially for degenerative spine and joint disease.

Prof. Grifka places particular emphasis on preserving the natural joint whenever possible. Joint replacement may be considered when joint-preserving treatment options are no longer sufficient.

Knee or hip joint surgery may be considered when advanced joint damage causes persistent pain and significantly limits everyday activities, particularly when non-surgical treatment no longer provides sufficient relief.

The decision to proceed with joint replacement depends on several factors, including the severity of the joint damage, symptoms, functional limitations, previous treatments, and the patient’s individual needs and expectations.

The decision should always be made following a thorough individual medical assessment.

3. Treatments and Expertise

Patients seeking orthopedic doctors in Germany may consult Prof. Grifka for an expert assessment of joint, spine, and other musculoskeletal conditions. His clinical work includes the treatment of joint disorders, with particular expertise in joint preservation, spine surgery, orthopedic pain therapy, sports orthopedics, geriatric orthopedics, and osteoarthritis. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may be conservative or surgical.

Prof. Grifka’s work, as one of the best orthopedic doctors, covers a broad spectrum of orthopedic treatments, with particular expertise in hip and knee disorders.

Conservative treatments include:

  • Targeted training and exercise programs aimed at joint preservation
  • Manual therapy
  • Adipose-derived stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis
  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for osteoarthritis and muscle and tendon injuries
  • Injection treatments for joint and spinal conditions
  • Rehabilitation and follow-up care

 

Surgical treatments include:

  • Minimally invasive procedures such as arthroscopic knee surgery
  • Hip and Knee replacement surgery
  • Spinal procedures
  • Elbow surgery and hand surgery
  • Ankle surgery and foot surgery

 

The recommended treatment always depends on the individual diagnosis, the condition of the joint, previous treatments, and the patient’s personal needs and goals.

Yes, he has many years of orthopedic experience in joint replacement, including hip and knee replacement surgery.

His work includes minimally invasive hip replacement as well as partial or total knee replacement. All is performed in fast-track technique. The choice of surgical technique depends on the individual diagnosis, anatomy, previous treatments, and overall treatment goals.

Whether hip or knee replacement is appropriate for an individual patient can only be determined after a thorough medical assessment.

4. Costs, Insurance, and Payment

The total cost of medical care in Germany for international patients depends on the type of consultation, any diagnostic examinations required, and the treatment recommended. The cost of surgical treatment may also vary depending on whether the treatment is provided in a private practice, an outpatient surgical center, or an orthopedic hospital.

We aim to provide information about expected individual costs whenever possible before scheduling treatment.

For planned treatment, international patients may be required to arrange payment or a deposit in advance. We will inform you in detail before scheduling treatment.

In Germany, most orthopedic clinics accept public health insurance. Consultations at private practices are generally covered by private health insurance or paid for out of pocket, with consultation prices varying by doctor and specialty.

When seeking a consultation with Dr. Grifka, insurance coverage depends on your insurance provider, your individual policy, and the type of treatment required.

We recommend contacting your insurance provider before your appointment to clarify whether your consultation and any subsequent treatment in the German healthcare system will be covered, including diagnostic services, surgery, hospital stays, and follow-up care.

5. Choosing an Orthopedic Hospital in Germany

Choosing the best orthopedic hospital can be challenging, as Germany offers many options for international patients seeking specialized orthopedic care.

When choosing a German hospital, patients should consider the hospital’s specialties, the surgeon’s experience, and available treatment options. Helpful resources for finding an orthopedic specialist in Germany include online platforms and accreditation from specialized bodies:

Online platforms can help patients search for orthopedic specialists in Germany.

Accreditation from specialized bodies can help patients identify orthopedic practices that meet recognized quality standards. Certified specialist centers in Germany must also meet minimum case volumes and quality requirements.

Thousands of inpatients receive orthopedic care annually at large university hospitals, such as Frankfurt or Ulm University Hospital. In addition, university hospitals have many specialized clinics and departments. This can be beneficial for patients with complex conditions who require special orthopedic surgery and/or multidisciplinary care. However, a larger hospital is not necessarily the best choice for every patient. Patients should check the surgeon’s experience with specific procedures before surgery. They should also compare the hospital’s expertise in treating their condition and the quality of care provided.

Request an Appointment or a Second Opinion

Office in Parsberg

Appointments on request

Book an appointment via our contact form, or contact us by phone or email.

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Please use the form below. Address and phone number will follow shortly.

Book an Appointment – For Privately Insured and Self-Paying Patients

    Office in Munich

    Spectrum MED
    PD Dr. Axel Greiner, PD Dr. Christopher Becker, Prof. Joachim Grifka, PD Dr. Simon Weidert

    Use the online appointment booking system below: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

    Book an apointment*

    +49 89 264 076

    praxis@spectrum-med.de

     

    Sendlinger Str. 37

    80331 München

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