Osteoarthritis Therapy in Berlin Treptow-Köpenick
Dr. med. Karolin Stein
Osteoarthritis therapy in an orthopedic practice focuses on the treatment of joint wear and tear (osteoarthritis) in order to relieve pain, maintain mobility, and improve patients’ quality of life. The aim is to slow the progression of the disease and preserve functional, weight-bearing joints for as long as possible.
In orthopedic practice, both conservative and interventional measures are used, individually tailored to the affected joint and the severity of the osteoarthritis.
Conservative Treatment Approaches
- Physiotherapy and exercise therapy
- Strengthening the muscles
- Stabilizing the joints
- Improving mobility
- Weight reduction
- Reducing stress on the hip, knee, and ankle joints
- Pain therapy
- Use of medications such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Topical pain-relief ointments
- Interventional treatment approaches
- Injections into the joint
- Hyaluronic acid
- Improved joint lubrication
- Cushioning within the joint
- Cortisone
- Reduction of inflammation
- Pain relief during acute flare-ups
- Shockwave therapy
- Stimulation of blood circulation
- Pain relief in knee or shoulder osteoarthritis
- Orthoses or shoe insoles
- Correction of malalignment
- Relief of stress on the joint
Osteoarthritis therapy in orthopedic practice follows a holistic approach: it combines medication-based, physical, and interventional measures to reduce pain, preserve joint function, and maintain mobility in everyday life. The goal is to delay surgical intervention for as long as possible and to improve quality of life in a sustainable way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Osteoarthritis Therapy
What is osteoarthritis and how does it develop?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which joint cartilage gradually wears down over time. As the condition progresses, bones, the joint capsule, ligaments, and the surrounding muscles may also be affected. Causes include aging processes, incorrect or excessive strain, previous injuries, as well as genetic factors.
Can osteoarthritis be cured?
Osteoarthritis cannot be cured. However, the goal of osteoarthritis therapy is to relieve pain, improve mobility, and help you stay active in everyday life for as long as possible. With targeted conservative treatment, symptoms can often be reduced significantly.
What treatment options are available for osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis therapy includes various conservative treatment measures. These include, among other things, targeted orthopedic diagnostics, exercise therapy, treatment of muscular imbalances, physical therapy measures, and—if indicated— additional procedures such as injection therapies. Which measures are appropriate is decided individually.
When is surgery necessary for osteoarthritis?
Surgery is generally only considered when conservative treatment measures are no longer sufficiently effective and the symptoms significantly interfere with everyday life. Whether surgical evaluation is appropriate is determined individually based on the findings.
How long does osteoarthritis therapy take?
The duration of osteoarthritis therapy depends on the affected joint, the stage of osteoarthritis, and the individual symptom profile. In many cases, it involves long-term care with regular adjustments to the treatment plan.
