|
Damaged cartilage is a condition that mainly affects older people. Young people mostly develop in-depth cartilage damage as a result of accidents.
hey 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. Young 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 hyaluronon (Synocrom) into the affected joint (to replace or supplement the synovial fluid that has been altered by osteoarthritis). This facilitates restoration of the smooth gliding function of the joint components - pain reduction.
- Chondroitin sulphate and glucosaminoglycans to build up cartilage and aid water storage (both substances are components of healthy cartilage and their bulk is diminished in the course of osteoarthritis).
- Physical measures such as physiotherapy and electrotherapy
- Anti-inflammatory drugs e.g. ibuprofen, diclofenac, coxibs
|
- Comprehensive advice with regard to suitable sports and way of life (e.g. eating habits, weight reduction)
OIt is often possible to improve the quality of life over a longer period of time and slow the arthritic process just with these options. Decisive for the success of a traditional method of treatment is, however, starting at an early stage and persisting with the personal therapy plan under medical supervision. An operation can be performed if the osteoarthritis is at an advanced stage.
2. Operative therapy
- The arthroscopy as minimally invasive surgical procedure in osteoarthritis to the large joints e.g. cartilage trimming and joint lavage, micro-fracture technique or Pridie drillings, cartilage transplantation, mosaicplasty, abrasion arthroplasty and arthroscopic removal of inflamed mucous 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
Please contact our team if you have any questions 
|
