ANCA Medical Center

The ANCA Medical Center (AMC-Gent) in Ghent, Belgium, is an internationally acclaimed specialist clinic dedicated exclusively to hip surgery, hip resurfacing, and joint replacement procedures. The clinic has earned a global reputation for its exceptional expertise in minimally invasive hip surgery techniques, attracting patients from across Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond.

Led by Dr. Koen De Smet, a pioneering orthopaedic surgeon with decades of experience in hip resurfacing and complex hip revision surgery, ANCA Medical Center has become the destination of choice for young, active patients and athletes seeking to preserve joint function and return to full activity. The clinic has also built a strong track record in handling the most challenging 'difficult cases' — patients who have failed previous surgeries or present with complex anatomical conditions.

Surgery is performed at the General Hospital Jan Palfijn (site Watersportbaan), located in Ghent, which provides modern operating facilities, advanced anaesthesiology support, and high standards of perioperative care. The multidisciplinary team at ANCA includes specialist orthopaedic surgeons, experienced physiotherapists, and dedicated nursing staff who together deliver a seamless care pathway from pre-operative consultation through to post-operative rehabilitation.

Belgium's healthcare system operates under rigorous EU standards, and ANCA Medical Center adheres to Belgian federal regulations governing surgical quality, implant safety, and patient rights. The clinic is recognised as a centre of excellence in hip arthroplasty within the Belgian medical community and among international orthopaedic professionals.

ANCA Medical Center focuses exclusively on hip pathology and joint replacement, offering a comprehensive range of surgical and rehabilitative services tailored to individual patient needs.

Core surgical services include hip resurfacing arthroplasty, total hip replacement (THR), and hip revision surgery for patients with failed prior procedures. Dr. De Smet has performed hundreds of Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) procedures and is among Europe's leading authorities on metal-on-metal resurfacing techniques, though the clinic also offers ceramic and highly cross-linked polyethylene bearing options suited to different patient profiles.

For younger and more active patients — including athletes in their 20s and 30s — hip resurfacing preserves more natural bone stock compared with traditional total hip replacement, enabling a faster return to sport and physical activity. The clinic provides thorough pre-operative assessment, including advanced imaging and biomechanical evaluation, to select the optimal implant system for each patient.

Post-operative physiotherapy is an integral component of the care programme, with a team of specialised physical therapists including Evelyne Van Haecke, Jacqueline Van Laere, and Toni Rooms guiding patients through structured rehabilitation protocols. The clinic also manages complex cases involving dysplasia, avascular necrosis, post-traumatic arthritis, and patients with unusual anatomy that other centres may decline.

ANCA Medical Center operates within the General Hospital Jan Palfijn in Ghent, a modern acute care facility equipped with advanced orthopaedic operating theatres. The surgical suites feature laminar airflow technology, which significantly reduces the risk of post-operative infection during joint replacement procedures — a standard required for high-volume arthroplasty centres.

The clinic benefits from full access to Jan Palfijn's diagnostic imaging suite, including digital X-ray, CT scanning, and MRI capabilities essential for pre-operative planning and post-operative follow-up. High-resolution imaging allows the surgical team to precisely measure acetabular angles, femoral offset, and leg length discrepancy before implant selection.

Post-operative recovery facilities at the hospital include dedicated orthopaedic wards with physiotherapy gyms where patients begin mobilisation within 24 hours of surgery. The clinic's administrative team assists international patients with appointment scheduling, pre-operative blood tests, and coordination with local anaesthesiologists to ensure a smooth surgical experience.

The ANCA team also provides detailed post-operative care protocols that patients can follow at home or in their home country, along with remote follow-up consultation options for international patients who cannot attend in-person review appointments.

ANCA Medical Center has built a well-established framework for receiving international patients, with patients regularly travelling from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Canada, the United States, and across continental Europe to undergo surgery in Ghent.

The clinic's primary working language is English, and all pre-operative consultations, surgical consent discussions, and post-operative instructions are provided in English for international patients. Dr. De Smet and the clinical team communicate directly with overseas patients via email and video consultation to review imaging, discuss implant options, and formulate a surgical plan before the patient travels to Belgium.

Ghent is conveniently located approximately 55 kilometres from Brussels Airport (Zaventem) and 60 kilometres from Brussels South (Charleroi) Airport, with excellent rail connections to Ghent-Sint-Pieters station. International patients typically spend 5 to 7 days in Belgium, encompassing pre-operative assessment, the surgical procedure, and initial physiotherapy before returning home.

The clinic provides detailed guidance on travel arrangements, local accommodation near the hospital, and recommended physiotherapy providers in patients' home countries for continuation of rehabilitation. Visa requirements for EU patients are minimal, and most nationalities benefit from Belgium's Schengen area membership for short medical stays. The ANCA team is responsive to enquiries from abroad and provides transparent cost information including all-inclusive package pricing for the surgical episode.

ANCA Medical Center operates within Belgium's nationally regulated healthcare framework, which is governed by the Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment. Belgian hospitals and specialist clinics must comply with strict quality and safety standards set by both federal and regional authorities.

Surgery at the General Hospital Jan Palfijn ensures compliance with Belgian hospital accreditation requirements, including standards for surgical theatres, sterile processing, blood banking, anaesthesiology, and intensive care backup. Belgium is a member state of the European Union and adheres to EU Directive 2011/24/EU on cross-border healthcare, which enshrines patient rights for those travelling from other EU countries for elective treatment.

Dr. Koen De Smet is a member of international orthopaedic surgical societies and has contributed to peer-reviewed literature on hip resurfacing outcomes. The clinic participates in national implant registries that track long-term outcomes of hip arthroplasty procedures, allowing ongoing monitoring of implant performance and patient-reported outcomes.

As a specialist boutique clinic rather than a large hospital, ANCA Medical Center's quality is primarily demonstrated through its clinical outcomes — low revision rates, complication profiles consistent with world-class arthroplasty centres, and high patient satisfaction among international patients who have returned to active lifestyles following surgery.