What therapy options are available for osteoarthritis?
July 18, 2024 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Fanni Helbig
Dear doctor,
My name is Georg Koch and I have been suffering from arthritis for some time now. The pain in my joints is making my life increasingly difficult. Especially my knee is causing me major problems and I have trouble walking and climbing stairs. The diagnosis of arthritis was made some time ago and I am concerned about further treatment options.
I have already tried various medications that provide short-term relief of the pain, but do not offer a long-term solution. Physiotherapy and regular exercise have only helped to a limited extent. I am worried about the progressive deterioration of my condition and wonder what other treatment options are available to treat my arthritis and alleviate the pain in the long term.
I have heard about different therapy approaches such as acupuncture, hyaluronic acid injections, or even a joint replacement surgery, but I am unsure which options are best suited for me. I would like to learn more about the various treatment options for arthritis and find out which therapy forms are most suitable for my specific case.
I would be very grateful if you could help me and provide me with an overview of the different therapy options for arthritis. I am willing to take all necessary steps to alleviate my pain and improve my quality of life. Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Georg Koch
Dear Mr. Koch,
Thank you for your message and trust in my expertise as an orthopedic specialist. I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from osteoarthritis and that the pain in your joints is affecting your daily life. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage tissue in the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
It is understandable that you are concerned about further treatment options, especially if previous measures such as medication and physiotherapy have provided limited relief. There are various approaches to treating osteoarthritis, which may be suitable depending on individual cases and the severity of the condition.
One option is acupuncture, a traditional Chinese treatment method where fine needles are placed at specific points on the body to relieve pain and improve mobility. Acupuncture can be an effective and gentle therapy option for reducing osteoarthritis pain.
Hyaluronic acid injections are another treatment option where hyaluronic acid, a natural substance, is injected directly into the affected joint to improve joint lubrication and ease mobility. These injections can help alleviate pain from osteoarthritis and improve joint function.
In severe cases of osteoarthritis, particularly in the knee joint, joint replacement surgery may also be considered. During this procedure, the damaged joint is replaced with an artificial prosthesis to relieve pain and restore mobility. However, joint replacement surgery should only be considered as a last resort if conservative therapies do not provide sufficient relief.
It is important that you seek advice from an experienced orthopedic specialist to find the most suitable treatment option for you. Your individual disease progression, symptoms, and personal circumstances should be taken into account when selecting a therapy. Together, we can develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs to help alleviate your pain and improve your quality of life.
I recommend scheduling an appointment for my online consultation so we can discuss your situation in more detail and thoroughly explain the various therapy options for osteoarthritis. I am happy to provide you with my expertise and experience to help you manage your osteoarthritis symptoms.
I look forward to being able to assist you and working together to develop a treatment plan that provides you with relief. Thank you for your inquiry and your interest in your health.
Best regards,
Fanni Helbig, Orthopedic Specialist
