Dr. med. Florian Pfalzer

"In the past, they said: no sports for nine months – simply based on time," explains Dr. Pfalzer. "Today we work criterion-based – measuring range of motion, maximum and rapid strength as well as coordination to then create targeted training plans." Because, as the name suggests, the practice has long had high expertise in sports orthopedics – also grown from the activities as a team and association doctor and also tournament doctor at major sporting events. Currently, Dr. Pfalzer is the team doctor of the first-class women's volleyball team of Allianz MTV Stuttgart and association doctor at the Württemberg Tennis Association – with passion.

Because Dr. Pfalzer is also rooted in the region: born in Stuttgart, studied in Ulm, medical training in Stuttgart and Ludwigsburg. The certified arthroscopist, shoulder, elbow and foot surgeon was particularly shaped by his mentor during his time at the Stuttgart Sports Clinic, Prof. Dr. Bauer. "He taught me to look beyond the horizon, i.e., to focus on prevention, alternatives, and an interdisciplinary understanding."

Outpatient operations still play a central role for the surgeon: "In our own operating room, we perform arthroscopic and minimally invasive procedures on the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, ankle joint, foot and spine on two days." The procedures range from small fracture treatments to complex ligament reconstructions.

But the practice also offers a wide range of conservative treatments: shock wave therapy, induction, laser therapy, acupuncture, and injection treatments. These include classic pain infiltrations, hyaluronic acid for osteoarthritis or Botox injections for chronic muscle tension or bruxism. And because pain therapy and aesthetics often overlap, there are also complementary aesthetic treatments with Botox, hyaluronic fillers, biostimulators, PRP for skin and hair, as well as microfat for volume build-up and injection lipolysis.

But Dr. Pfalzer is particularly fascinated by innovative, regenerative treatment options in orthobiology. This means: Instead of relying on cortisone and painkillers, he increasingly uses therapies with the body's own substances to support the body's natural regeneration processes. These include, for example, PRP autologous blood therapy and stem cell therapy. "The main indication is osteoarthritis. Especially in younger patients, cartilage damage can regenerate with it." Studies show courses of three to five years, during which surgery can often be avoided.

The stem cells are obtained from the body's own subcutaneous fat tissue: a small amount of fat is suctioned under local anesthesia, processed, and the so-called stem cell fraction is injected. "The effect lasts three to five years. When it subsides, you can boost it with an autologous blood injection." The therapy has also proven itself in muscle injuries, chronic tendinopathies, and in the field of aesthetics for scar regeneration.

"We don't just want to react but work preventively." That is why Dr. Pfalzer has firmly integrated the field of longevity medicine and prevention into his practice concept. The guiding principle is: measure, act, measure. "We start with lifestyle questionnaires, metabolic, cardio, and body analysis, as well as analysis of the autonomic nervous system and blood tests," he explains. "From this, we derive, e.g., individualized infusion concepts that have antioxidant, cell-regenerative or autophagy-promoting effects, supplement interval hypoxia-hyperoxia training (IHHT), and continuously monitor the effects." The focus of the infusion therapy is on NAD+, a coenzyme that is involved in many important metabolic and repair processes. "But after 40, half of it is consumed in the body, and the body's own regeneration capabilities are no longer sufficient to compensate for the consumption. We can activate this directly through infusions – this significantly increases energy supply and cell renewal. Diseases of the metabolic syndrome and neurodegenerative diseases can be favorably influenced."

The new concepts also include Axomera therapy (microcurrent via acupuncture needles) for pain therapy and tissue regeneration in tendon and muscle problems, headache therapy, and allergy prophylaxis. "This enables us to offer a regenerative complete package with which we achieve noticeable successes quickly. People who thought they had to give up their sport come back to life, are more active, and gain quality of life," reports Dr. Pfalzer. "For me, this is the main task of orthopedics: to restore mobility and quality of life."

Despite all the technology, people remain the focus. "What is important to me is that people feel comfortable here. We take our time, we explain. And the goal is clear: Everyone who comes to our practice should notice after one to three therapies - that made a difference." And ideally, stay healthy.

His team includes around 15 employees and two medical partners. The processes are well organized – not least because there is always room for a conversation. "Orthopedics is teamwork, without my great team none of this would be possible."