Therapy goals
- Reduction of pain
- Increase/maintain the ability to move
Therapy recommendations
- Anti-inflammatory drugs/medications that inhibit inflammatory processes (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs), e.g., acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), ibuprofen, diclofenacNote: No diclofenac in cardiovascular risk! Affected are patients with heart failure (cardiac insufficiency) of NYHA classes II to IV, coronary artery disease (CAD, coronary artery disease), peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAVD) or cerebrovascular disease.
- If necessary, glucocorticoids – mode of action: antiphlogistic (anti-inflammatory) and anti-edematous (tissue draining).
- Possibly chondroprotectives (cartilage protection preparations) – eg hyaluronic acid, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate.
- See also under “Further therapy“.
Supplements (dietary supplements; vital substances)
Usually, drugs from the above groups are taken in combination with chondroprotectants/cartilage-protecting agents (e.g., glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate) to inhibit cartilage-degrading substances and provide relief or improvement of pain.
For more information on chondroprotectants, see the following chapter.
Note: Chondroprotectants should preferably be taken in combination with other bone-active vital substances, such as vitamins (C, D, E, K) and omega-3 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)), if appropriate.