I suppose a follow-up is warranted.
I went to see him at the end of last month.
Day one we flew into Munich and spent a day there - I couldn't recommend it - Maybe the English gardens are nicer in Summer?
Day two started with a train up to Nuremberg (and a visit to Cafe Kraft). Nuremberg is lovely - I recommend a day here.
Day three we got up early and got a short train to Bamberg and got a taxi to the clinic.
I screwed up and didn't have my EU health insurance card up to date, which seemed to throw the nurse on counter. For ease of appointment and for your nerves, I would recommend signing up for the free card in advance so you have it (even if it doesn't save you any money on treatment).
I had briefly spoken to Volker about my injury on Facebook prior to the trip, and when he came in he was efficient and didn't go in for a lot of chit-chat.
I explained what I had hurt, how long ago, and how I thought I had hurt it, and he gave it a poke before doing a quick ultrasound investigation.
He then wanted to do a flouroscopy (like a live X-Ray) to check the joint with another method and we walked down a corridor to do that.
After doing both tests, he sat in silence for about 30 seconds before giving his diagnosis and 2 possible treatment options. He talked through these in simple language, and explained the costs and efficacy of each procedure. I ended up going for a targeted cortisone injection to the insertion point of the collateral ligament of the DIP joint, and with recommendation to get a second in 10-15 days time. I asked him for a doctor in the UK who he might be able to recommend, but he wasn't sure, and said he would ask at the injury symposium for me when he came over the next weekend (unfortunately too soon for him to do it himself).
All in all, the trip cost me (and my gf):
~ £100 for flights to Munich.
£150 for hotels and AirBnB
£200 for treatment
£XXX in Sausage and Beer
I got in touch with him again to follow up on the UK doctor who was keen to do a follow up injection, and he put me in touch with a Mr. Waqar Bhatti who wanted to charge £835.00 for the injection, followed by a further £250 for the opportunity to be ripped off by such a pre-eminent gent
. Needless to say, I am pursuing other channels to get my meds.
Overall - I was very impressed.
Prior to this trip, I had spent two years bouncing around the NHS - seeing GPs, physios and 'specialists' - along with hours of wasted time driving back and forth, months waiting for referrals, and the same waiting for results, before being told that it might be best to wait and see if 80% function would be enough.
A 45 minute assessment in Germany, and £200 cost got me seen and treated by the best in the business, and I was out last weekend on the Row Tor circuit.
For anyone considering heading over for climbing expertise - I would say go for it.
If you have the time/money/inclination to be seen by the best in the business, then I dont think you can do better than Volker.
I love the NHS and all, but f*ck me if it doesn't sometimes come across as a mess of red-tape with some clueless/apathetic individuals available.
