Arthrosis incurable, but treatable

By Sabine Maurer Nov 28, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Berlin - Simply the name 'arthrosis' bodes ill because the Greek suffix '-osis' often refers to an abnormal or diseased condition. And indeed: Arthrosis is an irreversible, degenerative joint disease.

But Karsten Dreinhoefer, a Berlin-based orthopaedist, has words of comfort: 'Arthrosis symptoms are very treatable,' he said.

The cartilage in a joint with arthrosis gradually erodes to the point where it can no longer perform properly. Healthy cartilage does an excellent job as a buffer between the bones, absorbing the shocks of every movement like a gel cushion. Sometimes the cartilage erodes completely and the bones rub against each other, causing pain.

'Most patients come because of pain,' said Reinhard Deinfelder, chairman of the Baden-Wuerttemberg branch of Germany's Professional Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons. At an advanced stage of the disease, there is also swelling in the joint.

Some people are even unaware that they have the disease because it is not always painful.

'The experience of pain is different for every person,' Deinfelder said. For some, the X-ray image of their arthrosis is alarming but they suffer little or not at all. For others, the image is fairly normal but they feel considerable pain.

Arthrosis occurs most often in the knee. It is also common in other large joints, namely the hip and shoulder. But cartilage can degenerate in any joint, also small ones.

The possible causes are many, including postural misalignment - in a foot or hip, for example - or a previous injury such as a torn ligament or broken bone. Not all causes are known, though.

What is certain is that the risk of arthrosis increases with age. Other risk factors are lack of exercise and excess body weight.

'Being five kilograms overweight doubles the risk of arthrosis of the knee,' Dreinhoefer said. The fatter a person is, the more weight his or her joints have to withstand. Exercise provides cartilage with nutrients and oxygen, helping to keep it healthy. Exercise also strengthens muscles, which take a load off the joints.

The type of treatment for arthrosis depends in part on its cause - if the cause can be determined. 'Misalignments can be corrected with slanted soles or inlays, for example,' Dreinhoefer said. Medications help to ease acute pain.

Beyond that, the list of remedies is long. Cortisone injections are a possibility. Physiotherapy can help, too, as can electrotherapy. As a last resort there is surgery, in which the joint is immobilized or replaced by a prosthetic implant.

According to physicians, new treatment methods are not on the horizon at the moment.

Roland Schulze, a natural-health professional and biologist in Germany, points out that arthrosis can cause the tendons, ligaments, muscles and bones near the affected joint to become diseased as well.

'They've also got to be treated,' he said. Citing side-effects, he said he disapproved of long-term therapy with drugs.

The way a natural health professional treats arthrosis depends on numerous factors, including the state of the patient's immune system and his or her personal situation. Various standard preparations are used. But every arthrosis patient should make sure to exercise.

'Regular and moderate physical exertion is advisable,' Schulze said. The appropriate type of exercise depends on which joint is affected. The patient should consult with an orthopaedist about this.

'It might not be a good idea for someone with arthrosis of the knee joint to jog,' Dreinhoefer warned, adding that swimming or cycling would be better alternatives in this case. For someone with arthrosis of the shoulder, however, swimming is not advised.

A general rule is that exercise for arthrosis patients should not involve sudden, vigorous movements.

Schulze has a high opinion of the essential omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, which are said to have anti-inflammatory properties and stimulate blood flow. 'This improves joints' flexibility,' he said.

Conventional physicians are more guarded about the possible benefits of fish oil. According to Dreinhoefer, there is no certainly that fish oil, or glucosamine, or hyaluronic acid have any effect at all. 'It's not harmful, and maybe it'll do some good.'