Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt

Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt, (born 12 August 1942) in Leerhafe, Wittmund, East Frisia is a German orthopedist and sports physician.

He gained recognition for his roles as Germany's national football team doctor for 23 years (1995–2018) and club doctor of Bayern Munich (1977–2015, 2017–2020).

Early life and education Müller-Wohlfahrt was born as the third son of pastor Diedrich Müller and his wife Elisabeth, née Pape, in Leerhafe, which is today part of Wittmund, East Frisia. He graduated from Mariengymnasium in Jever in March 1963.

Personal life Müller-Wohlfahrt is married to Karin Müller-Wohlfahrt and lives in the Lehel district of Munich. His daughter Maren gained media attention through her relationship with Lothar Matthäus, and his son Kilian is also a doctor who briefly worked for FC Bayern Munich and became known through his relationship with model Lena Gercke.

Career Müller-Wohlfahrt began his medical career at the orthopedics clinic of the Rudolf-Virchow-Krankenhaus in Berlin under Fritz Hofmeister. In 1995, he became the doctor for the Germany national football team, a position he held until 2018. However, he rejoined Bayern Munich after the reappointment of Jupp Heynckes as head coach.

Having already resigned from his position at the Germany national football team in 2018, his second and final resignation at Bayern Munich also came into effect on 30 June 2020

In April 2007, Müller-Wohlfahrt co-founded MW Orthopedic Centre GmbH, establishing a center for sports medicine in an exclusive location in Munich. Despite its prime location and Müller-Wohlfahrt's reputation, the company faced financial difficulties from the outset. By 2010, the company had accumulated liabilities of approximately eight million euros and was over-indebted by nearly two million euros. In April 2010, Dietmar Hopp's private company acquired all the shares of MW Orthopedic Centre GmbH, and since then, Müller-Wohlfahrt has continued to practice there as a tenant, lending his name to the facility.

Medical Practises Controversial Treatments Müller-Wohlfahrt is known for his controversial treatments, including the use of Hyalart (sodium hyaluronate), Actovegin (a hemodialysate from calf's blood), Despite criticism, he remains an internationally respected expert in sports injuries, particularly knee and tendon issues. His use of homeopathic medicine and views on dietary supplements are also controversial among colleagues. He also helped Owen's Liverpool and England colleague, Steven Gerrard and Harry Kewell. In the early 2000s, he treated Jonathan Woodgate, Kelly Holmes, and Maurice Greene. In 2006, he began treating Usain Bolt, who would later dedicate his 100m sprint gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio to Müller-Wohlfahrt. In the late 2000s, he treated cricketers Darren Gough and Alex Tudor, as well as golfer José María Olazábal, who was able to win at Augusta again in 1999 after suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. In 2009, he was helping Akpo Sodje recover from a longstanding hamstring problem In 2010, he treated Bono (singer for U2) and Usain Bolt for severe back injuries. In 2012, he repaired the hamstring of Dylan Grimes of the AFL club Richmond Tigers. In 2024, Christian McCaffrey of the National Football League's San Francisco 49ers sought his help with an Achilles tendon injury. In 2025, Auston Matthews of the National Hockey League's Toronto Maple Leafs flew to Germany for assistance with an aggravated upper-body injury. Additionally, he treated Australian rules footballers Ben Reid, Max Rooke, and Mark Coughlan for chronic soft tissue injuries. He has also treated professional cyclists, including Stephen Roche.

Works Classification of athletic injuries to muscular tissue; Fascia in Sport & Movement, Schleip & Wilke (eds.), Mensch, beweg dich!, Zabert Sandmann, So schützen Sie Ihre Gesundheit, Zabert Sandmann, So gewinnen Sie mehr Lebenskraft, Zabert Sandmann, Verletzt, was tun?, with Hans-Jürgen Montag, Besser trainieren!, Zabert Sandmann,