Basic knowledge

 

Osteoarthritis

Anyone who feels an increasing stiffness and immobility of the joints with advancing age will wonder if this is due to normal wear and tear of the joints, or it is instead a pronounced osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a progressive breakdown of joint cartilage. Joint cartilage covers the bones towards the joint gap with a thin layer and serves as an elastic buffer in healthy joints. If the cartilage is damaged, or completely destroyed, bone rubs on bone, which can trigger joint pain and severely restrict mobility. Osteoarthritis is one of the degenerative forms of rheumatism and most commonly affects the knee, hip and finger joints. During cartilage breakdown, synovitis can develop, which in turn can destroy cartilage and bone, as well as tendons and ligaments.

Causes of osteoarthritis

  • Deformity of the joints
  • Extreme stress on the joints
  • Excess weight
  • Lack of exercise
  • Genetic predisposition
  • Supply shortages at joint gaps

Our approach for osteoarthritis

It is important to recognize osteoarthritis as early as possible. The first signs are:

  • Dull or stinging joint pain during movement or exercise
  • Onset of pain after a rest period
  • Easing of pain after prolonged exercise
  • Predominant occurrence with advancing age (90% of people over 65 suffer from advanced osteoarthritis)
  • No sign of inflammation

It is important to distinguish osteoarthritis from rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation of the joint, characterized by the following factors:

  • Triggers may be bacteria or other pathogens
  • Triggers can be autoimmune diseases
  • Signs of inflammation such as redness, swelling, overheating, limited range of motion
  • Occurance is independent of age
  • There is pain in motion and at rest

 

 

  • Noticeable laboratory parameters, such as nonspecific inflammatory signs: BSR, CRP, anaemia, rheumatoid factors, ANA, anti-citrulline antibodies and others, may be elevated

Once the onset of osteoarthritis has been diagnosed, our treatment focuses on stopping the advancing degenerative process, eliminating possible interferences, and activating self-healing powers. This is enacted, for example by:

  • Correcting misalignment caused by osteopathy, such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), or persistent sacral joint blockages
  • Review and correction of the metabolic state such as sugar, uric acid or lipid metabolism, etc.
  • Basic nutrition and food adjustment after testing
  • Correction of an existing intestinal dysbiosis
  • Compensation of deficient vital substances
  • Reduction of waste products and toxins
  • Increased microcirculation
  • Reduction of risk factors such as excess weight and lack of exercise

 

Our therapeutic approach for osteoarthritis

We use the following therapeutic procedures:

  • Neural therapy for pain reduction, increase of microcirculation, removal of interference fields
  • PRP injections around, at, or in the joint to stimulate one’s own regulatory forces
  • Acupuncture
  • Magnetic therapy, Indiba
  • Manual therapy, taping
  • Use of phytotherapeutics to support cartilage formation and metabolism
  • Infusion therapy for pain reduction, deacidification, metabolic stimulation, toxin release, etc.

 

A Statement from

Dr. med. Ralf Oettmeier

Joint wear is the number one most common disease and far more than just cartilage degeneration.