Conservative and Surgical

• Osteoarthritis Treatment
• Knee Surgery
• Sports Injuries

Knee Arthroscopy

• Meniscus, cartilage, and cruciate ligament surgery

• Revision procedures

• Patellar instability

• Cartilage regeneration

Axis correction

Partial knee prostheses

1989 – 2000
Team Physician of 1. FC Kaiserslautern

2019
Surgical Practice at Westpfalzklinikum Kaiserslautern

2015
Private Practice and Attending Surgeon at Ethianum Clinic, Heidelberg

Since 2024
Chief Physician and Managing Director at Lutrina MVZ Kaiserslautern

1993 – 2024
Chief Physician and Managing Partner at Lutrina Klinik Kaiserslautern

1989 – 2000
Team Physician of 1. FC Kaiserslautern

1990 – 1995
Multiple Fellowships with Dr. Steadman (Vail, CO) and Dr. Eichhorn (Straubing)

1987 – 1993
Assistant and Specialist Physician in the Department of Surgery and Trauma Surgery at Westpfalzklinikum Kaiserslautern

1984 – 1987
Assistant Physician at Vinzenz-Krankenhaus Mainz

1984
Licensure and Doctorate

1983 – 1984
Intern at Krankenhaus Kemperhof Koblenz

1979 – 1983
Medical Studies at University of Mainz

Additional Titles:

• Trauma Surgery
• Sports Medicine

Certificates/ Continuing Education:

• AGA Instructor
• AGA Arthroscopist

National and international lectures and publications (including books on knee topics)

Discover more about Dr. Franz's impressive career and extensive experience as a specialist. Visit his profile page for more information on his background and expertise.

• Knee joint diseases and injuries
• Groin pain in sports (“sportsman’s groin,” “pubic bone inflammation”)
• Osteoarthritis treatment (including ACP plasma and hyaluronic acid injections, stem cell therapy – stromal vascular fraction for the knee, hip joint, ankle, and shoulder)
• Sports injuries
• Advanced conservative therapy options: Radial and focused shockwave therapy, cryotherapy, kinesiotaping, trigger point treatment (dry needling, myofascial release, wheal therapy)

Knee Joint

• Knee arthroscopy

• Axis correction (knock-knee, bow-leg, slope correction)

• Meniscus, cartilage, and cruciate ligament surgery

• Complex knee reconstruction (posterior cruciate ligament, multiple injuries)

• Revision procedures

• Patellar instability

• Cartilage repair procedures (e.g., Autocart®)

• Partial joint replacement (including patellofemoral replacement), also for allergy sufferers

Sports Surgery – Groin/Pelvis

• Sportsman’s groin (“sportsmen’s groin,” not a true inguinal hernia), Gilmore groin

• Pubic bone inflammation / osteitis pubis, athletic pubalgia, core muscle injury

• Adductor injuries

• Diagnosis of hip impingement/hip osteoarthritis

Additional Treatments

Ankle Surgery

• Arthroscopy of the upper ankle joint

• Impingement (“footballer’s ankle”)

• Cartilage repair procedures

• Ligament instability of the upper ankle joint

• Ankle fractures

• Achilles tendon injuries and degeneration

• Fractures

Shoulder Surgery

• Shoulder arthroscopy

• Subacromial bursitis, impingement

• Rotator cuff tears

• Acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis/separation

• Shoulder dislocation

• Biceps tendon pathologies

• Shoulder osteoarthritis

• Clavicle fractures

Minor Hand Surgery (Outpatient)

• Trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis)

• Ganglion cysts and tendon sheath inflammation (e.g., de Quervain’s tenosynovitis)

• Carpal tunnel syndrome (median nerve), Guyon’s canal syndrome (ulnar nerve)

• National and international expertise (expertscape.com) in the conservative and surgical treatment of groin pain in sports (athletic pubalgia, pubic bone inflammation, sportsman’s groin, core muscle injury).
• Treatment of amateur and professional athletes across various sports, with a focus on soccer players.
• Former Medical Doctor for the US Forces European Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestling Championships (Miesau Army Depot).
• Former Medical Doctor for the US Forces European Boxing Championships (Miesau Army Depot).
• Medical support and/or consulting for regional and national soccer clubs.
• Affiliated physician of the German Athletics Association (DLV).

2003 – Present

• Academic teaching at the University Hospital Homburg/Saar

• Clinical research on "Groin Pain in Sports"

2022 – Present

• Chief Physician and Managing Director of Lutrina Klinik GmbH and Lutrina Praxis MVZ GmbH, Kaiserslautern

2018 – 2021

• Construction of the Medic Park Medical Center in PRE Park and relocation of Lutrina Klinik, Kaiserslautern

2016 – 2022

• Chief Physician and Managing Partner of Lutrina Klinik, Kaiserslautern

2009 – 2018

• Numerous clinical fellowships with:

  • Prof. Michael Strobel (Cruciate Ligament Surgery)

  • Prof. Peter Angele (Cruciate Ligament & Cartilage Surgery, Osteotomy)

  • Prof. Thore Zantop (Cruciate & Collateral Ligament Surgery)

  • Dr. Jürgen Eichhorn (Cruciate Ligament Surgery)

  • Dr. Thomas Buchhorn (Ankle Surgery) at Sporthopaedicum Straubing/Regensburg

  • Prof. Südkamp (Shoulder Surgery) & Prof. P. Niemeyer (Cartilage & Patella Surgery), University Hospital Freiburg

  • Prof. Dr. Resch (Shoulder Surgery), Salzburg

  • Dr. Jörg Richter (Cruciate Ligament Surgery), Markgröningen

  • Prof. Dr. L.-J. Lehmann (Shoulder Prosthetics), Karlsruhe

• Workshop on "Complex Ligament Reconstruction of the Knee" with:

  • Prof. Robert LaPrade (Colorado, USA)

  • Dr. Charlie Brown (Dubai)

  • Prof. Lars Engebretsen (Oslo, Norway)

Awards & Fellowships

• 2016: Karl Storz Award from the German Society for Surgery

• 2014: DVOST European Fellowship (Sports Traumatology)

2009 – 2016

• Specialist / Senior Physician / Head of Sports Traumatology & Joint-Preserving Surgery

• Department of Trauma, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery (Prof. Dr. Tim Pohlemann), University Hospital of Saarland, Homburg/Saar

2003 – 2009

• Specialist training in Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery at:

  • Department of Trauma, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery (Prof. Dr. Tim Pohlemann)

  • Department of Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery (Prof. Dr. Dieter Kohn)

  • Department of General and Visceral Surgery (Prof. Dr. Martin Schilling)

  • Department of Anesthesiological Intensive Medicine (Prof. Dr. Reinhard Larsen)

2005

• Doctorate (PhD)

2003

• Medical License (Approbation)

International Experience

• Clinic for Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, St. Gallen, Switzerland (Prof. Dr. André Gächter)

  • Specializing in knee, shoulder, and hip surgery, as well as hand and plastic surgery (Prof. J. Grünert)

1996 – 2003

• Medical studies at the University Hospital of Saarland, Homburg/Saar

Specialist Certifications

• Special Trauma Surgery (Subspecialization)

• Sports Medicine

• Physical Therapy and Balneology

• Manual Therapy/Chiropractic Therapy

• Specialized X-ray Diagnostics

• Emergency Medicine

• Hand Surgery

Certificates & Further Training

• Certified Knee Surgeon (German Knee Society - DKG)

• Certified AGA Arthroscopist

• FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine

• Arthrosonography (DEGUM) & FAST Sonography in Trauma

• ATLS® (Advanced Trauma Life Support) & DSTC® (Definitive Surgical Trauma Care) Provider

• Certified Kinesio Taping Therapist (International K-Taping Academy)

• Certificate of Recognition – The Balloon Kyphoplasty Surgeon Training Program (Salzburg, Austria)

• Certificate – Ligamys Surgical Training Day (ACL refixation technique), Mathys European Orthopedics, Zurich

• Numerous national and international lectures & publications

Professional Memberships

• AAOS – American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons

• DKG – German Knee Society (Deutsche Kniegesellschaft e.V.)

• DGOU – German Society for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery

• AGA – Society for Arthroscopy and Joint Surgery

• GOTS – Society for Orthopedic-Traumatological Sports Medicine

Holistic Approach and Treatment of the Posture and Locomotor System within Conservative Orthopedics, incorporating manual therapy techniques.

Conservative Orthopedics (non-surgical treatment methods)

• Chiropractic Therapy: Mobilization and manipulation of joints for pain relief and functional improvement
• Atlas Therapy: Specific treatment of the atlas vertebra to correct postural and functional disorders
• Osteopathy: Holistic diagnosis and treatment using gentle, manual techniques
• Acupuncture according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Since 2010
Employed Specialist at Lutrina Clinic Kaiserslautern

2011
Recognition as a Specialist in Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery

2008–2010
Specialist at the Clinic for Orthopedic Surgery and Special Trauma Surgery, Hetzelstift Hospital Neustadt a.d.W.

2006
Recognition as a Specialist in Orthopedics

2002–2007
Resident at the Orthopedic Clinic Kusel, Westpfalz-Klinikum Kaiserslautern

2001–2002
Resident at the Surgical-Orthopedic Specialist Clinic Lorsch

1999–2001
Resident at Lutrina Clinic Kaiserslautern

1999
Doctorate

1998
Medical License

1997–1998
Internship, Orthopedic Clinic, Mannheim Clinic

1990–1997
Medical Studies at the University of Heidelberg, from 1992 at the Faculty of Clinical Medicine Mannheim, with an international stay in Switzerland

Additional Titles

• Manual Medicine/ Chiropractic Therapy
• Acupuncture: A Diploma, Health Insurance Approval

Certificates/ Continuing Education

• Medical Osteopathy (D.O. DAAO)
  
• Atlas Therapy according to ARLEN
  
• Psychosomatic Basic Care

Memberships:

• DGMM
• DAAO
• GOSM
• DÄGAK

• Knee Joint Diseases and Injuries

• Shoulder Injuries/Diseases
• Elbow Disorders
• Ankle and Foot Diseases (surgical and conservative)
• Hip Diseases/Osteoarthritis (conservative)

Knee Surgery:

• Meniscus, Cartilage, and Cruciate Ligament Surgery
• Complex Ligament Reconstructions (arthroscopic, minimally invasive, and open)
• Revision Surgeries (post-surgical interventions)
• Patellar Instability
• Leg Axis Correction
• Partial and Total Knee Joint Prosthetics
• Arthroscopic and Minimally Invasive Shoulder Surgery (joint-preserving) - Impingement, Rotator Cuff, Acromioclavicular Joint, Instability, Labrum, Biceps Tendon
• Achilles Tendon Surgery

Since 2023
Employed Specialist at Lutrina MVZ Kaiserslautern

2009 – 2022
Specialist, Senior Physician, and Chief Surgeon for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery at Nardini-Klinikum in Landstuhl

2009 – 2019
Lecturer for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery at the Nanz Medico Academy for Physiotherapy in Landstuhl

2004 – 2009
Resident in Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery at Nardini-Klinikum in Landstuhl

2004
Resident in Neurosurgery at the Loreley Clinics in St. Goar and Oberwesel

2002 – 2004
Resident in Trauma Surgery at Vinzenz Hospital in Mainz

2002
Resident in Trauma Surgery at St. Vinzenz Hospital in Hanau

2000 – 2002
Intern in Orthopedics at the Klinikum in Landstuhl

1999 – 2000
Practical Year at the City Hospital Worms / Medical License

1997 – 1999
Studied Medicine at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

1994 – 1997
Studied Medicine at the University of Cologne