Types of osteoarthritis – the most common forms
There are many types of osteoarthritis, as cartilage can wear down in any joint in the body.
The most common types of osteoarthritis are:
- Bouchard's osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis of the middle finger joints)
- Coxarthrosis (osteoarthritis of the hip joint)
- Gonarthrosis (osteoarthritis of the knee joint)
- Heberden's arthrosis (arthrosis of the finger joints)
- Cubital arthrosis (arthrosis of the elbow joint)
- Omarthrosis (arthrosis of the shoulder joint)
- Radiocarpal arthrosis (arthrosis of the wrist joint)
- Spondyloarthrosis (arthrosis of the spine)
- Talocrural arthrosis (arthrosis in the ankle)
Protective arthrosis treatment – the treatment concept
Our protective arthrosis therapy is based on an individual and personal orthopaedic medical approach. The aim is to alleviate the symptoms, maintain joint function and sustainably improve quality of life.
Treatment options
The therapy comprises various approaches that are applied individually or in combination depending on the patient. There are two main goals:
Optimisation of joint mechanics
- Ensuring that the joint functions smoothly and remains mobile.
- Promotion of joint control and stability through adequate muscle strength.
Improvement of cartilage metabolism and cartilage biology
- Use of modern medications to protect the cartilage and promote its regeneration.
- Support of cartilage health through targeted measures.
This holistic approach makes it possible to treat osteoarthritis individually and effectively.
- Extent and location of the damage: The size and exact location of the cartilage damage influence the choice of treatment method.
- Age of the patient: Younger patients have a higher cartilage regeneration potential, which is taken into account when planning therapy.
What can be done about cartilage damage?
Cartilage damage often occurs in older people, but can also occur in younger people as a result of accidents or injuries. The treatment of such damage requires differentiated approaches that are individually tailored to the patient.
Individual treatment approaches:
We develop customised therapy concepts based on these factors. We have a range of modern methods at our disposal to ensure that each patient receives the best possible care.
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1. Non-surgical therapy
The non-surgical treatment of joint disorders involves a variety of measures that are individually tailored to the needs of the patient:
- Orthopaedic measures: Provision of insoles or shoe inserts to relieve the affected joint (technical orthopaedics).
- Pulsed magnetic field therapy (PMT): Has an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect.
- Laser therapy: Reduces pain, inflammation and swelling.
- Acupuncture: Optionally combined with magnetic field therapy to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Hyaluronic acid injections: Replacement or supplementation of the altered synovial fluid in osteoarthritis. Improves lubrication in the joint and relieves pain.
- Chondroitin sulphate and glucosaminoglycans: taken to support cartilage formation and as a water store, as these substances decrease in osteoarthritis.
- Physical measures: physiotherapy and electrotherapy to promote mobility and reduce pain.
- Medication: taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac or coxibs.
- Protective treatment of osteoarthritis: a combination of different approaches to maintain the joint and relieve pain.
- Advice on lifestyle and sports: recommendations on nutrition, weight loss and activities that are easy on the joints.
With these therapies, a high quality of life can often be maintained over a longer period of time and the progression of osteoarthritis can be slowed down. However, the key to successful conservative treatment lies in starting it early and consistently implementing a tailor-made therapy concept under medical supervision. In advanced stages of osteoarthritis, surgical procedures such as joint replacement become necessary.
2. surgical therapy
- Arthroscopy as a minimally invasive procedure for osteoarthritis of the large joints (e.g. cartilage smoothing and joint lavage, microfracture technique or Pridie drilling, cartilage cell transplantation, mosaicplasty, abrasion arthroplasty and arthroscopic removal of the inflamed mucous membranes
- Open joint surgery, e.g. removal of inflamed synovial membranes or autologous bone-cartilage transplantation (OATS)
- Osteotomy to relieve the worn joint surface
- Implantation of artificial joints, e.g. hip and knee endoprostheses
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