Possibilities and limits of conservative treatment for osteoarthritis: Sport advice, training therapy, orthotics and cartilage therapeutics

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA)—the progressive degeneration of synovial joints—is a worldwide problem that affects society, is associated with age and is the dominant reason for pain and immobility of the locomotor system. In the population, 70% of people over the age of 70 show some signs of OA. Overall, up to 25% of the total population is affected, due to the general aging of the population itself, and this is an increasing tendency. However, in people over the age of 40 the incidence of OA is already rising due to posttraumatic or secondary forms, like dysplasia, malalignment and other background factors. Claim: There is a high need for mobility and sports in all generations, so the demands on the joints are high, especially if early degenerative changes are already present. Orthopaedic physicians are challenged with the limited load capacity, pain and the progressive joint problems, on the one hand to get the patient back to full mobility, and, on the other, to prevent early joint replacement. Early diagnosis and preventive measurements, as well as conservative treatments—from medication to braces—are necessary to achieve symptom-free movement and joint preservation to avoid joint replacement.