Expertise
The full spectrum of spine surgery.
From endoscopic procedures and minimally invasive stabilisation to multilevel revision surgery. A focused practice that commands the full technical toolbox of modern spine surgery — in order to offer the gentlest, evidence-based solution for each individual situation.
Indication before technique
Spine surgery has differentiated substantially over the past two decades. Decompressions can today usually be performed microsurgically or endoscopically with minimal tissue trauma; stabilisation is increasingly performed percutaneously under intraoperative image-intensifier guidance. The decisive step, however, remains unchanged: the correct indication. A modern technique only becomes an advantage if it matches the underlying pathology and the patient's individual situation.
Endoscopic and minimally invasive surgery
Endoscopic spine surgery (keyhole surgery) and microsurgical minimally invasive techniques allow targeted decompression with minimal collateral tissue trauma and rapid rehabilitation.
A particular focus of my practice is the performance of selected spine procedures under local anaesthesia — without general anaesthesia, without intubation. The patient remains responsive throughout the procedure, neurological function can be monitored continuously, and mobilisation begins immediately afterwards. This approach is especially suitable for endoscopic disc procedures, for cement augmentation of osteoporotic vertebral bodies, and for sacroiliac joint procedures — in many cases also for older patients with comorbidities for whom general anaesthesia is best avoided.
- Endoscopic discectomy for lumbar disc herniation
- Endoscopic decompression for spinal stenosis
- Sacroiliac joint procedures under fluoroscopy guidance
- Selected procedures under local anaesthesia — without general anaesthesia
Degenerative conditions
- Lumbar disc herniation with nerve root compression
- Lumbar and cervical spinal stenosis
- Degenerative spondylolisthesis
- Facet joint arthrosis and chronic low back pain syndromes
- Cervical myelopathy and cervicobrachial pain syndromes
Spine and elite sport
Elite athletes have specific demands on the management of spine problems: functional goals are sport-specific, rehabilitation windows tightly calculated, and post-recovery loading must be considered in the indication. As team physician for the Bern Grizzlies (American football, since 2017) and as VIP Consultant at SarinaMed Gstaad, I regularly care for athletes — both for acute injuries and for sport-specific complaints.
- Acute spine injuries in sport — traumatic disc herniations, fractures, contact and impact-sport injuries
- Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in young athletes — conservative management, targeted procedures for persistent complaints
- Lumbar and cervical overuse syndromes in repetitively axially loaded sports
- Return-to-sport decisions, graduated loading and structured training progression
- Close coordination with coaching staff, sports physiotherapy and sports medicine colleagues
Fractures and trauma
Academic focus: management of osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures and the reliability of classification systems for thoracolumbar injuries. The scientific work in this field — including an active AO Spine International Project — feeds directly into the clinical decision.
- Osteoporotic vertebral fractures — minimally invasive vertebral body augmentation with bone cement, often under local anaesthesia
- Traumatic fractures of the entire spine — cervical, thoracic and lumbar
- Cervical injuries with or without neurological involvement
- Insufficiency fractures in compromised bone quality
Deformity and complex revision surgery
The treatment of adult spinal deformity and previously operated patients is demanding. Years of work in academic spine surgery and an AO Spine Fellowship in deformity surgery (Budapest) form the basis for this part of the practice.
- Adult scoliosis and sagittal imbalance
- Adjacent segment disease after prior surgery
- Revision surgery for pseudarthrosis and implant failure
- Multilevel correction and revision procedures
Tumour and infection
Primary and secondary spinal tumours as well as spondylodiscitis are planned in interdisciplinary tumour and infection boards together with oncology, radiation oncology and infectious disease specialists.
Interventional pain therapy
Subspecialty title in Interventional Pain Therapy SSIPM (2023). Image-guided injections and targeted procedures are an important step before deciding on surgery — and an option for patients in whom surgery is not the appropriate path.
- Periradicular therapy (selective nerve root block)
- Facet joint injections
- Sacroiliac joint injections
- Diagnostic blocks for surgical planning
Procedures and techniques at a glance
- Endoscopic spine surgery
- Microsurgical decompression
- Minimally invasive percutaneous fixation and stabilisation
- Image-intensifier-guided minimally invasive procedures (intraoperative 2D fluoroscopy)
- Minimally invasive vertebral body augmentation with bone cement
- Selected procedures under local anaesthesia — without general anaesthesia
- Anterior and posterior approaches to the spine
- Complex revision and deformity surgery
Important: The most appropriate technique for any given patient depends on the individual situation — clinical findings, symptoms, comorbidities and life circumstances. A list of techniques can never replace a personal consultation.
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