In 2020, which was a particularly challenging year on account of the pandemic, the 1,112 employees at Schulthess Klinik showed how positive results can be achieved with team spirit, commitment, flexibility and plenty of new ideas. This enabled the clinic to live up to the trust of its patients and referring physicians even during the Covid crisis and almost match last year’s figures.

A study of our hand surgery has won the 2020 JHSE Editors' Award. This prestigious prize is conferred by the Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume) and went to our team for the second time in a row.

One year after their hip operation, most patients are satisfied with the result, with many even declaring that they are very satisfied. Patients with concomitant diseases can still expect a similar improvement in terms of hip function. However, this group of patients has a somewhat increased risk of complications. This was the conclusion reached by our research team, which investigated the connection between comorbidities, the risk of complications and the patient’s perceptions of osteoarthritis-related hip surgery.

Ossifications of muscles, tendons or connective tissue sometimes occur around a newly implanted hip prosthesis. The reasons for these changes are generally unclear. Our research team has investigated the influence of these ossifications on patients' perception and satisfaction.

On 19 January, the world’s first implant of a KeriFlex finger prosthesis was performed at Schulthess Klinik. Dr. med. Daniel Herren MHA, our Head of Hand Surgery, assisted with the development of this prosthesis for patients experiencing painful deterioration of their proximal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints as the result of accident or illness.

On 6 January 2021, our Co-Head of Hip Surgery, Hannes Rüdiger, was appointed as an adjunct professor at the University of Zurich. This title serves as recognition of his achievements in both science and teaching over the last few years.

Our hand surgeons use the CapFlex prosthesis developed at our clinic to treat many cases of osteoarthritis in the interphalangeal joints. After over ten years of working with the implant and more than 330 CapFlex prostheses implanted at the Schulthess Klinik, we have now published the initial findings in a renowned international journal, five years after surgery.

The Schulthess Klinik Spine Unit is celebrating its 33rd anniversary this year. Multidisciplinary care for spinal column patients has always been the focus here.

As part of our comprehensive commitment, we support CYBATHLON 2020 as a medical partner in particular. Our Medical Team is examining 57 pilots from 21 countries, domiciled in time zones around the world, most of them in collaboration with a specialist on the ground via a remote examination. The medical checks ensure the safety of the pilots and guarantee fair starting conditions.

Our Head of Hand Surgery, Dr Daniel Herren, took office as FESSH Secretary General in September.FESSH promotes cooperation among hand surgeons in Europe in particular.