Conservative therapy options

Hyaluronic acid, as an important component of the connective tissue and also of the joint fluid, can be used in the context of arthrosis therapy. Especially in patients with cartilage damage, the availability of hyaluronic acid in the joint is significantly reduced. The preparation obtained from animal source material is injected into the damaged joint in several sessions (1-5 injections), where it then serves as a kind of “joint lubricant” and shock absorber.

Especially in the early stages of cartilage damage, this procedure can lead to a significant reduction in shoulder joint pain, allowing for better loading. In addition to injecting hyaluronic acid into the shoulder joint, some people also talk about the possibility of taking certain dietary supplements (chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine) to counteract osteoarthritis. Chondroitin sulfate is a natural molecule that is formed by cartilage-forming cells in the body and is involved in the building and strengthening of joint cartilage.

The sugar derivative glucosamine is also an important component of cartilage tissue. However, initial medical studies on the therapeutic effect of the orally taken preparations are contradictory. A significant improvement in symptoms or a reduction in cartilage damage could not be reliably recorded to date.

A homeopathic approach can be taken as an alternative or even as an accompanying measure. Here, a wide variety of homeopathic remedies are available for degenerative diseases such as cartilage damage. Common remedies include: Acidum formicicum, Acidum sulfuricum, Aranin (extracted from the black night spider), Aristolochia (pipe flower), Calcium sulfuricum, Formica rufa (extracted from the red wood ant), Harpagophytum (devil’s claw), Potassium sulfuricum.

Acupuncture can be considered as an alternative or complementary therapy for cartilage damage in the shoulder joint. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the fine needle punctures in very specific, selected points of the body cause an irritation of these areas. In this way, certain body regulations can be influenced.

However, the exact mechanism of action has not yet been clarified. Some patients report that regular acupuncture for arthrosis therapy reduces pain in the affected joint and improves mobility. Initial medical studies investigating the effectiveness of acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knee joint are showing a positive result.

Osteopathy, as a field of alternative medicine, diagnoses and treats certain functional disorders of the human musculoskeletal system. Particularly in the case of painful cartilage damage in joints, it is possible to quickly unconsciously adopt relieving postures, which not only lead to muscular tension but also further promote the onset of osteoarthritis. With certain manual techniques, osteopathy can detect and remedy these relieving postures.

In addition, the osteopathic therapeutic approach can work in parallel with orthopedic and physiotherapeutic treatment methods to restore and maintain mobility in the shoulder joint. More about osteopathy can be found here. In most cases, drug therapy is unavoidable to treat the symptoms of cartilage damage in the shoulder joint or osteoarthritis in general. However, various home remedies can also be used as a supplement.