Osteoarthritis – When is surgery necessary?

The effects of osteoarthritis are many and varied: from loss of mobility and chronic pain to psychological stress such as frustration and helplessness. Our patients often ask whether they need an operation for this reason.

Early and targeted treatment is particularly important in order to slow down the disease, alleviate symptoms and maintain quality of life.

Our aim is to use modern, conservative therapy methods to effectively treat our patients’ complaints and enable them to lead an active life – without surgery.

We want to show our patients that living with osteoarthritis does not automatically mean surgery – there are many effective alternatives that are often overlooked.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage that covers the joint surfaces and enables smooth movement slowly breaks down.

The cartilage acts like a “shock absorber” and protects the bones from direct contact. Over time, this protective layer becomes thinner or disappears completely. Without the cartilage, there is increased friction between the bones, which causes pain and severely restricts the mobility of the joint.

In the early stages of osteoarthritis, the changes are often barely noticeable, but painful symptoms can develop as the disease progresses.

Typical symptoms of osteoarthritis are

• Pain during movement and exertion, later also at rest.
• Morning stiffness, which often subsides after a short period of movement.
• Crunching or cracking in the joint.
• Swelling and hyperthermia in inflammatory flare-ups.
• Limited mobility that makes everyday activities difficult.

Osteoarthritis rarely develops overnight. Various factors can increase the risk of developing the disease, including genetics, age, obesity, incorrect loading and injuries.

The interaction of these factors leads to increasing damage to the cartilage. The earlier these risks are recognized and addressed, the better the progression and symptoms of osteoarthritis can be positively influenced.

Conservative treatment: the basis of our therapy

Conservative treatment of osteoarthritis aims to alleviate pain, maintain joint mobility and improve the quality of life of those affected. Unlike surgical interventions, conservative therapy relies on natural and gentle measures that promote the body’s ability to heal itself.

Therapy modules at a glance

1. Physiotherapy and exercise
   Targeted exercise is one of the most important cornerstones of osteoarthritis treatment. Physiotherapy helps to strengthen the muscles around the affected joint, improve stability and prevent incorrect loading. Special exercises promote blood circulation, which improves the transport of nutrients to the joint.
2. Drug therapy
   Drug treatment is aimed at alleviating acute symptoms. Painkillers (e.g. paracetamol or NSAIDs) and anti-inflammatory drugs and ointments are often used. The aim is to contain the symptoms and reduce the pain to such an extent that active therapy is possible.
3. Diet and lifestyle
   A healthy lifestyle can have a significant impact on the symptoms of osteoarthritis. A balanced, anti-inflammatory diet – rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vegetables and wholegrain products – can promote joint health. At the same time, weight reduction is crucial if you are overweight in order to reduce the strain on your joints.
4. Aids and orthopaedic support
   Orthopaedic aids such as supports, insoles or walking aids can relieve pressure on the joints and reduce pain. Supports provide additional stability, while insoles correct misalignments and distribute the load optimally.
5. Modern approaches
   Innovative therapies such as hyaluronic acid injections or PRP (platelet-rich plasma) can provide additional relief for osteoarthritis. Hyaluronic acid acts as a “joint lubricant” that improves mobility and reduces pain.

Conservative therapy offers a wide range of effective measures to alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis and improve quality of life in the long term. Impressive results can often be achieved without the need for surgery.

When is an operation necessary?

Even though conservative treatment is very successful in many cases, it reaches its limits in some patients. This can be the case in particular if the joint wear is very advanced and the quality of life remains severely restricted despite intensive non-surgical measures.

Typical situations in which surgery could be considered:

• Severe, persistent pain: When the pain is so severe that it dominates everyday life and there is no improvement even during periods of rest.
• Restricted mobility: When the mobility of the joint is so severely restricted that even simple activities such as walking, climbing stairs or getting dressed are barely possible.
• Failure of conservative therapy: If physiotherapy, medication and other conservative measures do not provide sufficient relief over a longer period of time.
• Joint instability: Advanced joint damage can lead to instability, which can significantly jeopardize safety and mobility.

In such cases, a surgical procedure, such as the insertion of an artificial joint, can alleviate the remaining symptoms and restore the function of the affected joint.

The decision for or against surgery should be well-considered and based on careful consideration of several factors, including: Age, activity level, severity of joint damage and the patient’s health status.

Surgery should always be the last option – it should only be considered if conservative measures are no longer sufficiently effective and the quality of life is significantly impaired.

Our promise: Avoid surgery – maintain quality of life

Our aim is to show our patients that an active, pain-free life is possible without surgery. With our holistic approach and modern conservative medicine, we focus on sustainable solutions that not only alleviate symptoms, but also address the causes of the complaints.

If you suffer from joint pain or notice the first signs of osteoarthritis, don’t wait until the discomfort has a greater impact on your everyday life. The first step towards an active and pain-free life is often an early diagnosis and individually tailored treatment.

Our practice is at your side with an experienced team and modern treatment methods to alleviate your symptoms and improve your quality of life in the long term.