Treatment with medication
The treatment of knee arthrosis with drugs serves to reduce pain and inhibit inflammation. It can be administered systemically (e.g. by tablets, drops, etc.) and locally (e.g. by ointments, injections, etc.)
with different groups of substances. The following medications are used for knee arthrosis:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including diclofenac (e.g. Voltaren), ibuprofen and the new Cox-2 inhibitors (e.g. Celebrex)
- Steroid cortisone (local only), as an injection into the knee joint
- Therapeutic local anesthesia
- Chondroprotectives – Medications Chondroprotectives are substances that are injected into the knee joint to protect the remaining cartilage.
A cartilage build-up – as wrongly suggested by the advertising – does not take place. Chondroprotective agents are also often referred to as hyaluronic acids. They have been scientifically proven to reduce pain and improve mobility.
However, these improvements are limited in time. Side effects are relatively rare.
- Natural remedies – medicines, especially the devil’s claw is to be called here. The Devil’s Claw can be used alone for mild pain and for stronger pain to support the existing therapy.
The Devil’s Claw is supposed to reduce the symptoms of knee arthrosis. Homeopathic medicines can be used to support the therapy of knee arthrosis. Various homeopathic medicines can help to alleviate symptoms in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Goal of conservative treatment
The goal of any treatment of knee arthrosis must be to prevent the operation and to achieve freedom from pain. Depending on the degree of severity, this goal can be achieved in most cases by conservative therapy of knee arthrosis. In rare cases, surgical procedures must “repair” the damage suffered.
An important treatment goal is the reduction of detritus-induced (cell waste producing) synovitis (joint mucosa proliferation). Lavage (irrigation), debridement (cleaning), removal of mechanical irritations such as defective meniscus parts, osteophytes (bone attachments) serve this purpose. In the case of patellar diseases, additional soft tissue surgery may be necessary.
In case of recurrent effusion formation due to synovitis, a synovialectomy (removal of the joint mucosa) may be indicated. These procedures are intended to temporarily reduce the symptoms. If the pain and symptoms cannot be improved, the last solution is an endoprosthetic treatment (artificial knee joint).
The consultation must always be tailored to the individual and includes an assessment of the patient’s everyday behavior and the physical strain at work and in sports. In addition, advice is given regarding overweight, lack of exercise, regular exercises to eliminate muscle deficits and knee school. There is also an option in the therapy of knee arthrosis: acupuncture.
- PhysiotherapyPhysical Gymnastics
- Knee school
- Mobilization, muscle strengthening, muscle stretching and coordination training
- Thermotherapy (heat therapy)
- Hydro- and balneotherapy (water and air therapy)
- Electrotherapy (sonophoresis, jontophoresis)
- Pulsating Signal Therapy (PST)
- Shoe finishing on ready-made shoes: buffer heels, elevation of outer or inner shoe edges
- Hand stick or forearm crutches
- Heel cushion
- Bandages
