Therapy goals
- Reduction of pain and thus increase of mobility.
- Diagnosis finding
Therapy recommendations
- Analgesia (pain relief) during diagnosis until definitive therapy according to WHO staging scheme:
- Non-opioid analgesic (paracetamol, first-line agent).
- Low-potency opioid analgesic (e.g., tramadol) + non-opioid analgesic.
- High-potency opioid analgesic (eg, morphine) + non-opioid analgesic.
- Women menopausal or postmenopausal: the Endocrine Society pronounces exclusively for estrogens a protective effect in relation to osteoarthritis (evidence level B;).
- See also under “Further therapy“.
Supplements (dietary supplements; vital substances)
Suitable dietary supplements should contain the following vital substances:
- Vitamins (vitamin D (calciferols))
- Fatty acids (omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)).
- Other vital substances (chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate).
In the presence of insomnia (sleep disturbance) due to joint pain, see below insomnia / drug therapy / supplements.