Get a second opinion before your orthopedic surgery
Independent consulting in Kronberg im Taunus
As an orthopedic surgeon with 30 years of professional experience and over 25 years of experience as an independent surgeon, I provide an unbiased assessment of whether a planned procedure is truly necessary and what alternative treatment options are available.
Key Points at a Glance
Second opinion from an orthopedist
What is a second medical opinion?
An independent assessment of a diagnosis or treatment recommendation by a second specialist—unbiased by the initial doctor’s assessment.
When is it recommended?
Before planned surgery on any major joints, such as the knee, shoulder, elbow, hip, or spine; in cases of unclear diagnoses; or when the proposed treatment has not yielded the desired results.
How much does it cost?
The second opinion is billed as a private medical service in accordance with the currently applicable German Scale of Medical Fees (GOÄ). As a rule, your private health insurance will cover the costs. Patients with public health insurance may also make use of this service without restriction, but they must pay the associated costs themselves.
What happens during the appointment?
After reviewing all previous medical records and conducting a physical examination—and, if necessary, performing an ultrasound or X-ray in my office—I will explain your condition and the available treatment options. Duration: approx. 30 minutes. At the end of the appointment, you will receive a clear assessment.
When should you seek a second opinion?
You’ve received a diagnosis, and a procedure has been recommended. Perhaps the decision doesn’t feel quite right yet. Maybe you have questions that weren’t answered during your last consultation. This isn’t a sign of mistrust toward your doctor—it’s a sensible decision that protects you.
A second opinion is particularly helpful in the following cases:
Scheduled knee surgery
Whether it’s a total knee replacement (TKR), cruciate ligament reconstruction, or meniscus surgery: knee surgeries are common procedures—but they aren’t always unavoidable. Especially when it comes to treating osteoarthritis, there are now very effective conservative treatment options available.
Scheduled shoulder surgery
Rotator cuff surgery, shoulder replacement, calcific tendinitis removal—shoulder surgeries require intensive rehabilitation and come with risks. An independent assessment will help you determine whether the planned procedure is the right choice.
Persistent pain despite treatment
If conservative treatments have not been effective so far and surgery is being recommended as the next step, it is worth seeking a second opinion: Have all available treatment options really been exhausted?
Uncertainty about the diagnosis
When faced with complex medical findings—such as unclear MRI results or conflicting opinions from different doctors—a second opinion can help you gain clarity before making a major decision.
Carsten Braune, M.D.
Experienced orthopedic surgeon with extensive surgical expertiseGetting a second opinion from someone who performs surgeries themselves has a key advantage: I know both sides of the story.
I understand what surgical intervention entails—for the body, for rehabilitation, and for my patients’ daily lives. As a certified surgeon with the AGA (Society for Arthroscopy and Joint Surgery), I have personally performed hundreds of knee and shoulder surgeries. I don’t assess whether surgery is advisable from a theoretical standpoint. I assess it from the perspective of someone who would perform the procedure themselves.
My private practice in Kronberg thrives on long-term patient satisfaction. This gives me the freedom to provide you with the honest assessment you deserve.
My goal is to ensure you can make an informed decision.
In many cases—especially with osteoarthritis, tendon damage, and chronic joint inflammation—regenerative therapies using orthobiologicals are now available, which I perform myself in my practice. They activate the body’s own regenerative processes. We’ll discuss together whether this is an option for you.
If, on the other hand, surgery is the right decision, I will be just as clear about that and can help you find the right surgeon for your procedure.
Treatment options
If surgery is not necessary
In some cases, a second opinion may indicate that surgery can be avoided or at least postponed. I offer the following treatments at my practice:
Autologous cell therapies using orthobiologicals
In this procedure, the body’s own growth factors are extracted from the blood, concentrated, and then injected under ultrasound guidance directly into the damaged tissue, for example, in cases of knee osteoarthritis, tennis elbow, and tendon irritation.
More about Orthobiologicals
Shock wave therapy
Focused high-energy shock wave therapy stimulates tissue regeneration. It has proven effective for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, tennis and golfer’s elbow, heel spurs, patellar tip syndrome, and chronic tendonitis.
More about shock wave therapy
Minimally Invasive Arthroscopic Procedures
If surgery is unavoidable, I prefer, whenever possible, minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures, which offer shorter recovery times and a lower risk of complications.
Learn more
How it works in practice
Make an appointment and bring your test results.
Book your appointment online or by phone. Please bring all relevant documents with you: MRI or X-ray images (on CD or as a digital file), the medical report and surgery plan from your primary care physician, as well as reports from previous treatments. If you do not have any imaging results, we can perform X-rays and ultrasounds right here in the office.
Examination and discussion of findings.
I take the time to perform a thorough physical examination and discuss all the findings with you. If necessary, we can supplement the diagnosis with state-of-the-art ultrasound or digital X-rays right here in the office.
Clear Assessment and Next Steps
At the end of the appointment, I will give you my honest assessment: Is the proposed surgery necessary? Are there any alternatives? What exactly do I recommend? Upon request, I can provide you with a written statement for your records.
Costs
Costs and Coverage
The second opinion is billed as a private medical service in accordance with the GOÄ. Most private health insurance plans cover the costs—please check with your private health insurance provider in advance. Self-pay patients are also welcome; you will receive a cost estimate when you schedule your appointment.
Please note: Dr. Braune’s practice is a private practice and is open exclusively to private patients and self-paying patients. Billing through statutory health insurance is not possible.
Schedule a second opinion appointment now
Patients from Kronberg, Frankfurt, Bad Homburg, and throughout the Taunus region can easily book their appointments online or by phone. Appointments are often available on short notice—please contact us for current availability.
