Treatment of arthrosis

Arthrosis is the term given to wear and tear on the joints that either exceeds the extent that would be normal for the patient's age or occurs as a result of old age. Its cause is ultimately an imbalance between the stress placed on the cartilage surrounding the joint and the body's ability to replace the worn cartilage.

The reasons for this may include:

  • excessive strain (sport, profession, being overweight)
  • congenital or injury-related malposition of the joints
  • joint damage following accidents
  • chronic inflammation

Essentially, the treatment of arthrosis pursues two objectives - namely pain relief with normal use of the joint and the prevention of mechanical restrictions or changes to a joint.

In the majority of cases, treatment only begins when the arthrosis is already noticeably painful and has already caused significant joint changes. In younger patients especially, however, the emphasis is increasingly being placed nowadays on preventing arthrosis and its consequences.

Depending on the location and extent of the arthrosis, we are able to offer you various conservative and, if necessary surgical options that are tailored to your individual needs.

General measures
These include physiotherapy (mobilisation, muscle strengthening, stretching and coordination training), heat, water and ice treatments, electrotherapy, aids such as cushioned heels, wedge cushions, seat raisers, supportive orthoses and bandages, walking sticks or crutches if required and even a walking frame.
A comprehensive explanation of the condition to the patient is also important, along with its natural progression and what treatment options can achieve. The patient must play their part in assisting these measures by changing their everyday behaviour, modifying their physical exertion at work and when playing sports, reducing any lack of exercise and their body weight, as well as taking part in training sessions (especially independent exercises).

Medications
Medications are used to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Medicines that reduce inflammation (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), cortisone (only used locally) and therapeutic local anaesthesia are typical examples.

Hyaluronic acid

Acupuncture

Magnetic field therapy

Surgery
If it is not possible to achieve adequate pain relief with conservative measures, or if the arthrosis is already too far advanced, surgical treatment may need to be carried out. Here too, decisions are always made in a multi-stage manner, initially involving the smallest possible intervention that can produce results aiming to preserve the joint for as long as possible. The options range from arthroscopy (a camera inserted into the joint) with cartilage treatment and corrective surgery to arthrodesis (of the great toe and fingers) or joint replacement.