These sports are allowed

For older people, courses are often offered that are easy on the joints, as well as retirement sports, stretching and strengthening exercises, preventive courses, aqua gymnastics or courses in the gym. But there are also numerous joint-gentle sports for younger people. These include cycling, swimming, yoga and aqua jogging.

Nordic walking, hiking and golf can also be a sensible alternative to joint-straining sports for those with mild complaints. As a matter of principle, a doctor should be consulted before engaging in sports. In the case of minor complaints, it is often sufficient to reduce stressful sports. For advanced arthrosis, on the other hand, water sports are often the only remaining alternative.

The treatment

The treatment of osteoarthritis behind the kneecap is strongly dependent on the stage of the disease and often takes place over a lifetime. The range of possible therapies extends from sparing to surgical joint replacement and depends above all on the pain and the severity of the symptoms. – Gentle treatment, change of sport, reduction of training intensity

Prescription of insoles, knee bandages and physiotherapy
Weight reduction, strengthening of the muscles of the thigh
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Cortisone, hyaluronan and autologous blood injections into the knee
Interventions using knee mirror/arthroscopy
Surgical cartilage grafts
Partial joint replacement, surface prosthesis behind the patella
Cemented or non-cemented knee prosthesis

Nowadays, insoles in shoes are adapted to the feet in such a way that they can have a significant influence on the leg axis, the position of the legs and feet and even on the lower spine and hips.

A frequent cause of arthrosis and cartilage wear in the knee is a malposition of the leg axis. In particular, the frequent middle knee arthrosis, which is favoured by an O adjustment, can nowadays still be treated in many stages with insoles. With the help of an elevation of the outer edge of the shoe, the knee can be shifted in the middle of the axis, thus relieving pressure from the joint cartilage in the middle knee area.

Hyaluronic acid is a fluid that is naturally produced by the joint cartilage and, due to its slimy consistency, helps the joints to slide well and the joint surfaces to be lubricated. In osteoarthritis, the increasing loss of articular cartilage also leads to a loss of the sliding properties of the joint surfaces. Hyaluronic acid can be injected into the joint as a symptomatic therapeutic approach in these cases.

It replaces the natural synovial fluid for a short period of time, but cannot achieve a lasting improvement in the joint properties. In individual cases, the injection of hyaluronic acid for a few months can reduce arthrosis pain and improve mobility in the joint. A knee bandage can be worn on the knee for both therapeutic and preventive purposes.

It primarily fulfils the functions of relieving and stabilising the joint. In the case of osteoarthritis behind the kneecap, the support can relieve the kneecap by applying light pressure on the joint, reduce the osteoarthritis pain and improve movement in the joint. Again, this is only a symptomatic relief of the pain and not a lasting treatment of the arthrosis.

Bandages can be worn preventively in sports. They also stabilise the knee joint in healthy people and lead to more conscious movement. Abrupt movements and knee injuries that can trigger or promote arthrosis are thus reduced.

In early stages, incipient cartilage damage can be stopped by various measures, so that surgery is not necessary. However, the timing of an operation is determined by the patient himself or herself, depending on the pain and movement restrictions in the knee. Various surgical procedures are available for this purpose.

Especially with young patients, joint-preserving operations should be the main focus. In rare cases, cartilage transplants can be performed if the cartilage is young enough and capable of regeneration. Furthermore, operations can help if the knee causes pain by pinching cartilage structures or by freely moving pieces of cartilage and bone in the joint.

These complaints can be remedied by arthroscopy. In advanced stages of osteoarthritis behind the kneecap, however, partial prostheses of the knee or complete knee prostheses can also be used. This depends on the patient’s condition, age, mobility and prospects for recovery.