Protective osteoarthritis treatment
The treatment concept
Individual and personal orthopaedic medical treatment.
There are several options for treating osteoarthritis. They can be used either individually or in combination. The aim of treatment is twofold. On the one hand, the joint mechanism must be optimised so that it functions smoothly, remains mobile and has sufficient muscle strength. On the other hand, cartilage metabolism and cartilage biology must be optimised with the aid of modern medication.
Damaged cartilage is a condition that mainly affects older people. Younger people usually develop deeper cartilage damage as a result of accidents.
They require very different methods of treatment. Which method is ultimately the right one for the patient depends on the size and location of the cartilage damage and also on the patient’s age. Younger patients still have a relatively high potential to regenerate cartilage.
Each treatment plan is therefore finely tuned to the needs of the individual patient. We have numerous options available:
1. Non-operative therapy
- Orthopaedic measures such as providing appropriate insoles or adjusting shoes to relieve the joint (technical orthopaedics)
- PST (Pulsed magnetic field therapy) anti-inflammatory and soothing therapy
- Laser therapy relieves pain symptoms, reduces inflammation and swelling
- Acupuncture or acupuncture in a magnetic field
- Injection of hyaluronan (Synocrom) into the affected joint (to replace or supplement the synovial fluid altered by osteoarthritis). This facilitates restoration of the smooth gliding function of the joint components and reduces pain.
- Chondroitin sulphate and glucosaminoglycans to build up cartilage and aid water storage (both substances are components of healthy cartilage and their bulk is diminished during osteoarthritis).
- Physical measures such as physiotherapy and electrotherapy
- Anti-inflammatory drugs e.g. ibuprofen, diclofenac, coxibs
- Comprehensive advice regarding suitable sports and lifestyle (e.g. diet, weight reduction)
It is often possible to improve quality of life over a longer period and slow the arthritic process with these options alone. Decisive for the success of conservative treatment, however, is starting at an early stage and continuing the personal therapy plan under medical supervision. Surgery may be performed if osteoarthritis has reached an advanced stage.
2. Operative therapy
- Arthroscopy as a minimally invasive surgical procedure in osteoarthritis of large joints, e.g. cartilage trimming and joint lavage, microfracture technique or Pridie drillings, cartilage transplantation, mosaicplasty, abrasion arthroplasty and arthroscopic removal of inflamed synovial membrane
- Open invasive joint surgery e.g. removal of inflamed synovial membranes or autologous bone-cartilage transplantation (OATS)
- Corrective osteotomy to reduce pressure on worn joint surfaces
- Implantation of artificial joints e.g. Hip and knee prosthesis