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Treatment of osteoarthritis in Germany — a reference point for orthopaedists all over the world. There are specialized medical centers in Germany that deal only with joint therapy.
This disease significantly reduces the quality of life. The disease progresses rapidly if not treated in the early stages of development, so most patients arrive at the clinic with complete or partial immobility. Thanks to the vast experience of orthopedic surgeons and innovative equipment, German clinics help people return to normal life even in neglected cases.
Causes of the disease
According to statistics, this disease occurs more often at the age of 50-70 years. Medics say that recently this pathology has begun to «get younger» and is increasingly common in young people. Specialists name several indirect causes that can provoke the development of arthrosis:
- Previously suffered trauma or injury.
- Constant strain on the same group of joints.
- Congenital dysplasia.
- Various stages of obesity. As a rule, in such a case, osteoarthritis of knee joints due to increased load is observed.
- Genetic factor. If one of the close relatives suffers from this disease — the risk of developing osteoarthritis increases 3-4 times.
- Chronic diseases that negatively affect the immune system. These include human immunodeficiency virus or systemic lupus erythematosus.
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis in Germany
Today, almost every German clinic is equipped with innovative equipment that helps doctors to accurately determine the cause and severity of the pathological process. In case of osteoarthritis, the patient is referred to a highly qualified rheumatologist. To begin with, the specialist will examine the disturbing area, conduct palpation, identify whether there are painful sensations. Next, the doctor asks several questions: how long ago the diagnosis was made, what therapy was carried out earlier and what bothers at the time of admission. After collecting an anamnesis, there are some diagnostic manipulations to be performed:
- General and gross blood and urinalysis.
- Rheumatoid factor;
- Joint radiographs.
- Computerized or magnetic resonance imaging.
- Taking a puncture of synovial fluid.
- Arthroscopy.
- Coagulogram;
Signs and stages of osteoarthritis
The main and clearly manifested sign of osteoarthritis is painful sensations. As a rule, these pains are weather-dependent and associated with physical exertion. That is, when walking for a long time or doing sports — in the evening the patient is expected to have severe pain, which will gradually subside in the supine position. The same with the weather — in inclement weather all day long there is a nagging pain syndrome. At first the discomfort is irregular, in the absence of therapy it becomes permanent and over the years it only intensifies and progresses.
The second symptom is restricted mobility, which is due to joint spasm. There may also be cramping, swelling and marked hyperemia in the alarming place. If we are talking about osteoarthritis of the lower extremities — in the neglected stages, it is difficult for the patient to move without assistance, it is impossible to lean on the leg.
In medical practice, three stages of development of this pathological process are distinguished.
Each of them has its own characteristics:
- The initial stage is characterized by a deficiency of synovial fluid, which acts as a kind of lubricant for the joints. There are no obvious morphologic processes at this stage, but there is periodic pain after physical activity or in inclement weather.
- In the future, there is a gradual deformation of the joint. Pain syndrome becomes regular, occurs regardless of body position and lifestyle. Prolonged exacerbation is replaced by shorter remissions. Sometimes there is difficulty in mobility.
- The third stage of the pathological process indicates that the joint is destroyed, and the nearby tissues and cartilage are severely depleted. Pain practically does not subside, the aching character changes to acute. The place of the damaged joint swells, swells, becomes scarlet in color. Palpation causes severe pain, as well as an attempt to move the joint.
In the video below, you can see how the joint changes depending on the stage of osteoarthritis using the knee joint as an example.
Osteoarthritis treatment methods in Germany
Which specific technique to use in the treatment of arthritis is decided by doctors on an individual basis. As a rule, the decision depends on the individual characteristics of the course of the pathological process. Most often therapy is carried out and includes the following:
- Medications.
- Physical procedures.
- Surgical intervention.
The main advantage of treatment in Munich is the fact that it uses innovative technologies, modern equipment and effective drugs, which avoids relapses and various adverse effects.
Medication therapy
The purpose of taking medications is to reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process and relieve pain. In therapy, innovative drugs from the group of analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in combination with antibacterial drugs, chondroprotectors and myorelaxants can be used. With the help of drugs, it is possible to achieve the former elasticity and mobility of the joints.
Physiotherapy
This technique is not an independent therapy, but regardless of the stage of joint damage is used in complex treatment. Recently, positive dynamics are increasingly noted with thermotherapy. In order to relieve exacerbation, cryotherapy is effective. After treatment, as a rehabilitation measure, electrotherapy is used.
Surgical intervention
If we are talking about advanced stages, in this case, you can not do without surgical intervention. During surgery, various anesthetic drugs can be used, at the patient’s request and depending on the complexity of the surgical intervention can be used general anesthesia, local anesthesia or epidural anesthesia. Let’s take a look at the most common techniques used in Germany to treat arthritis:
- Arthrodesis. The essence is the complete excision of the affected tissues. In the course of this therapy, two types of surgery are used simultaneously, one of which is bone grafting, and the second is compression with the Illizarov apparatus. Among the advantages of this technique, a short rehabilitation period can be noted, literally a couple of days after the intervention, moderate load on the operated joint is allowed.
- Periarticular osteotomy. It consists of a slight filing of the bones in order to reduce the load on the damaged joint. This type of surgery is used exclusively for arthritis of the lower extremities, for example, when the knee or hip joint is affected. In other cases, this technique is rarely used due to the long rehabilitation and complexity of the operation.
- Joint endoprosthetics (knee, hip, shoulder). It is characterized by the complete removal of damaged joints, which are replaced with artificial material. The advantages include full return of mobility, loss of pain and a low probability of the implants not taking root.
How much does it cost to treat osteoarthritis in Germany
The cost of therapy will depend on several factors. First of all, the localization of the damaged joints and the chosen treatment tactics play a role. Examples of prices can be found below:
| Name of service | Price, € | Additionally |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis of osteoarthritis | 5000–5500 | 5 days, inpatient |
| Endoprosthetics | — | 3 days, inpatient |
| Periarticular osteotomy | 7000–9000 | 9 days, inpatient |
| Arthrodesis | 19000–25000 | 10 days, inpatient |
How do I choose a clinic for treatment?
In order to receive a quality service, it is very important to approach the choice of a medical institution with responsibility. Surgical intervention on the joints should be carried out by a doctor with extensive experience, since this manipulation requires special care and attention. Choosing a treatment center based on reviews has long been irrelevant, since most specialized forums are filled with purchased reviews.
If you want to know the most accurate information about doctors and a particular clinic — you can ask our company «Clinics in Germany». We have the most up-to-date information on the rating of specialists and clinics, as we have the opportunity to monitor their activities on a daily basis. We take care of everything from paperwork to hotel reservations. You will be accompanied by a professional medical interpreter.
Remember that osteoarthritis is easier to eliminate at the initial stages of development. In this case, you can avoid surgeries and long rehabilitation. If you are tired of suffering from pain and every day drinking a handful of pills that have only a temporary effect, make a step towards health and a full life — make an appointment with a doctor!
The head of our company, Maxim Rykov, is an expert physician for treatment and orthopedic surgery in Germany and has helped thousands of patients to receive treatment for osteoarthritis from leading German orthopedic surgeons, who are highly rated for their treatment in Europe and beyond.