The body is like a car. After a certain mileage, it needs a little more care and the one and another spare part. When you're over sixty like me, it's inevitable. Over the past few years, it has become even more severe.

Knee pain has accompanied me my entire life; it's a small relic from the days when I was still a competitive skier. I'd been putting it off for the past few years, but last year I reached a point where I couldn't continue like this. Not only I was struggling with constant pain, but I also owe it to my employees and my company. Everyone deserves a boss who's in top shape and can give 100 percent, and I was not capable of that. Therefore, an „appointment“ and a checkup at the hospital 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, which are known for their high mileage :-)

The doctor I trust is Dr. Torsten Burkhardt. The orthopedist leads the primary care center for orthopedics and trauma surgery in Ebern and operates at the Haßberg Clinics in Haßfurt. He's an absolute professional with extensive experience in his field who knows what he's doing. I looked forward to the surgery like a little kid, finally no longer running backward down the jumping hills, finally climbing stairs normally again. At the end of November, the first surgery took place. It was quite an adjustment; the first winter season in years in which I was out of action, but truly out of action. However, the recovery went according the plan, and I was able to be part of the World Championships in Trondheim. Even though I'm still very unfamiliar with the new joint and still have to work on mobility, it still feels great to be pain-free. Last week, it was the second knee's turn. The surgery was successful, the patient is not dead, but doing well. I have to knock on wood that everything went really well, and I was able to go home yesterday.

A big THANKS to Dr. Burkhardt and his team, to all the nurses, and the entire orthopedic/trauma surgery team who selflessly cared for me. I hope I was a flotsam patient, even though I kept everyone on their toes with the broken night bell. Now it's time to start the next rehab block, so I can soon be back to my old self. I'll still proudly show the implant card at the security check on my next trip :-)

Yours sincerely, Peter Riedel