At Orthoca, we are committed to specialised, niche treatments within orthopaedic surgery. We spoke to Dr. Wouter Peeters, an expert in hip surgery and a specialist in treating muscle and tendon injuries in athletes. He recently carried out a complex hamstring reconstruction on a professional football player with recurring injuries.
Dr. Peeters, can you tell us more about the case?
“The patient was struggling with a recurrent hamstring injury. He had already sustained a tear four times, which was treated non-operatively three times elsewhere. Because of the persistent recurrence, we decided to proceed to surgical intervention. Through Dr Geert De Clercq, the footballer was referred to me.”
What makes this procedure so specific?
“What made this surgery special was the need to use an allograft for the reconstruction. This means we used a donor tendon to repair the hamstring tendon.”
“The complexity of the operation was further increased by the fact that the tendon stump was adhered to the main nerve of the upper leg. As a result, we had to be extremely precise to free the nerve from the scar tissue without damaging it. This is an essential but critical step, as any mistake can lead to serious nerve damage in the patient.”
How is the patient doing now?
The surgery took place in May, and since then the patient has been undergoing intensive rehabilitation. He is currently doing well and will soon resume his football activities.
Why did you decide to specialize in this specific discipline?
“It was Dr Geert Declercq who advised me several years ago to look into the matter of muscle and tendon injuries in athletes as few doctors in Belgium master this discipline. It brought me, among others, to Prof Dr Ernest Schilders in London, a world authority in proximal hamstring, adductor and groin surgery in athletes. I was given the opportunity to complete a fellowship with him.”
Want to know more about Dr Wouter Peeters and his expertise in orthopaedic surgery or are you looking for consultation opportunities? Visit his profile page to learn more about his specialisations and consultation hours: Dr. Wouter Peeters – Orthoca