The Neuwerk Clinic
Located in the German city of Mönchengladbach, known for its renowned football club Borussia, Krankenhaus Neuwerk is a specialized medical center with a strong focus on the treatment of spinal disorders.
The Spine Center, led by Professor Patrick Weidle, MD, PhD, and his deputy, Dr. Andrey Bitter, MD, Consultant Neurosurgeon, offers the full spectrum of both conservative and surgical treatment options.
Spinal Surgery
The center is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, enabling the performance of advanced microsurgical and minimally invasive spinal procedures, including:
- Removal of intervertebral disc herniations at all levels (cervical, thoracic, lumbar)
- Cervical spine surgery, including disc prosthesis implantation and complex procedures at the C1–C2 level
- Microsurgical decompression of the spinal canal
- Combined procedures with implant placement (spinal fusion)
- Surgical treatment of spondylolisthesis
- Conservative and surgical management of spinal fractures, including complex cervical injuries
- Treatment of spondylodiscitis
- Management of cervical myelopathy
- Surgical correction of unstable dislocations (subluxations) and deformities associated with rheumatic cervical spine diseases
Microsurgical procedures are performed using advanced endoscopic systems by Richard Wolf and high-resolution surgical microscopes by Zeiss. Intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring is employed during complex and prolonged procedures to continuously assess neurological function, significantly reducing surgical risks.
Conservative Therapy and Spine Rehabilitation
When appropriate, patients begin rehabilitation as early as the day following surgery. This may include balneotherapy and physiotherapy at the nearby Savita Rehabilitation Center, which offers comfortable outpatient rehabilitation programs.
Not all patients require surgery. Many cervical and lumbar spine pain syndromes can be effectively treated using conservative approaches, including:
- Epidural injections under X-ray guidance
- Periradicular injections under CT guidance
- Facet joint injections under CT guidance
- Facet joint thermocoagulation (a minimally invasive procedure for long-term pain relief)
- Multimodal pain management in complex clinical cases
- Implantation of neurostimulation devices for chronic pain in the spine and extremities
- Physiotherapy, therapeutic exercise, and manual therapy
Center for Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology
Krankenhaus Neuwerk also houses a Center for Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, led by Professor Dinko Berkovic.
Modern endoscopic technologies are used for the diagnosis of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and intestines. The center utilizes the latest-generation Olympus Exera 190 endoscopy system, enabling comprehensive diagnostic procedures.
Preventive “Check-up” programs, particularly aimed at the early detection of gastrointestinal cancers, are especially popular among patients.
Joint Replacement (Endoprosthetics) Center
The hospital’s Joint Replacement Center is certified by the independent EndoCert organization as a high-level center for joint replacement surgery, confirming its quality standards and patient safety.
More than 700 hip and knee replacement surgeries are performed annually. Special emphasis is placed on selecting high-quality implants to ensure optimal long-term outcomes.
The clinic also specializes in revision surgery, including replacement of previously implanted prostheses in cases of loosening, fractures, or infection.
The Endoprosthetics Center was successfully recertified in 2025, confirming its continued excellence. It is led by Dr. Thomas Kruppa, a specialist in joint surgery, particularly shoulder surgery, and sports medicine.
Dr. Kruppa has successfully implemented a “Fast-Track Recovery” program, in which patients actively participate in their surgical and rehabilitation process. He has been awarded the highest certification by the German Society for Endoprosthetics (AE) as a Master in Endoprosthetics.