Therapy of knee osteoarthritis
introduction
A large number of methods are used in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
Basically, between conservative and operational Procedure differentiated.
The Conservative therapy, with which this page is concerned, pursues the goal, the Pain of those affected to minimize Inflammatory processes to stay in the joint and the Mobility and resilience to improve the joint.
Various approaches are used for this:
Be like that Painkiller how NSAIDs and maybe Cortisone prescribed, physiotherapy and physical therapy performed and heat and Electrotherapy applied. Acupuncture can also be helpful.
Only when none of these treatment concepts lead to any improvement is an operation considered
Information on surgical treatment can be found at: Knee osteoarthritis surgery
Conservative therapy options for knee osteoarthritis
To treat a Osteoarthritis of the knee a doctor has various options available, between which he depends on the individual circumstances of the person concerned, especially because of his Age and des Severity the disease is decisive. Normally, knee osteoarthritis therapy begins conservatively, i.e. without surgical intervention. It is important to know that there is currently no therapy to really cure knee osteoarthritis. All measures are limited to relieving the patient's symptoms, reducing the stiffness in the joint and slowing down or preventing the further progression of the disease. With regard to these areas of application, the therapy techniques mentioned below really all have a high success rate.
Drug treatment is an essential component of conservative therapy for knee osteoarthritis. This has two main goals:
- On the one hand, the reduction of pain and
- on the other hand, the weakening of the inflammatory reaction, which often plays a major role in the clinical picture of knee osteoarthritis.
Different groups of pain relievers come with the Therapy of knee osteoarthritis for use. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used. These include common preparations such as acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen or diclofenac. They have both anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Her name comes from the fact that she is from cortisone and similar agents should be distinguished, namely that have a steroidal structure. Cortisone mainly has a positive effect on the inflammatory response and has less effect on pain. The is well suited for injection Cortisone injection.
In contrast to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are usually taken in tablet form, cortisone is usually injected directly into the affected joint in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. This has the advantage that the systemic Side effects keep it limited (which is why a local anesthetic is sometimes added to reduce the spread of the drug with the blood), which can be very pronounced and severe with regular use of cortisone. In addition to NSAIDs, other painkillers can also be used, but these then have no positive effect on the inflammation processes, for example Paracetamol. What all knee osteoarthritis therapy drugs have in common is that they should only be used for a short period of time if possible.
Apart from medication, knee osteoarthritis is the physical therapy in the foreground. In the early stages of a arthrosis Physiotherapy alone can often lead to the pain completely subsiding. You have to make sure that you only work in a way that is gentle on the joints Exercises which is why you should work out a plan with a doctor or physiotherapist at least at the beginning and instead of acting independently.
In addition to reducing pain, physiotherapy also serves to promote mobility in the joint and the Building muscles to stimulate and thus also to strengthen the joint. Some Stretching exercises can also prove to be very useful in this disease.
Some sports (see Knee osteoarthritis and exercise) can help to prevent the progression of knee osteoarthritis, above all swim and cycling.
It is especially important that the knee is not completely immobilized.
Many patients also benefit from a so-called Thermotherapy. For some, warmth is especially good. Other patients, especially those who mainly suffer from the inflammatory component of knee osteoarthritis, prefer cold treatment, which can be done with the help of cold air or packs with mud or cold clay, for example.
Another component of conservative therapy for knee osteoarthritis can be the acupuncture which, according to several studies, is also able to show a positive effect on osteoarthritis.
The is also becoming increasingly popular Electrotherapy. Electrodes are stuck to the patient's skin in the appropriate places and then low-frequency electrical currents are sent through the skin with a small device. This is also known as TENS: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. By stimulating the nerves, pain signals are weakened in their transmission. In addition, the blood circulation in the tissue is stimulated and its regeneration is stimulated.
In addition, orthopedic measures can sometimes be used. This includes, for example, aids such as Walking sticks, Buffer heels and / or special Shoes respectively insoleswhich should help to relieve the joint and thereby make walking easier and more pain-free.
Only when all of these conservative treatments fail should one get one Operation of knee osteoarthritis consider.
Appointment with a knee specialist?
I would be happy to advise you!
Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
Various television programs and print media report regularly about my work. On HR television you can see me every 6 weeks live on "Hallo Hessen".
But now enough is indicated ;-)
The knee joint is one of the joints with the greatest stress.
Therefore, the treatment of the knee joint (e.g. meniscus tear, cartilage damage, cruciate ligament damage, runner's knee, etc.) requires a lot of experience.
I treat a wide variety of knee diseases in a conservative way.
The aim of any treatment is treatment without surgery.
Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.
You can find me in:
- Lumedis - your orthopedic surgeon
Kaiserstrasse 14
60311 Frankfurt am Main
Directly to the online appointment arrangement
Unfortunately, it is currently only possible to make an appointment with private health insurers. I hope for your understanding!
Further information about myself can be found at Dr. Nicolas Gumpert
