Joint health and osteoarthritis

A goal such as ‘less pain’ is understandable, but often still too general for assessing progress. It becomes clearer if you can name the activity you would like to find easier again. This could be walking to the shops or getting up from a low chair. We discuss the initial focus of treatment. Not every limitation needs its own treatment at the same time. If several joints or conditions are involved, setting priorities can help. Your wishes and medical needs remain equally important.

Advice on movement and exercise is part of our non-surgical care. Depending on the findings, this may involve strengthening the muscles that guide the joint, moving more safely again or appropriately adjusting excessive loading. If physiotherapy is needed, it is included separately in the plan. An exercise plan should neither overwhelm you nor be so cautious that it makes no difference to everyday life. Please tell us if you are unsure about an exercise or if your symptoms become significantly worse afterwards. Together, we can check whether the technique, amount of exercise or starting assumptions need changing. A rigid programme for every joint and every person would not be suitable.

Braces and other orthopaedic aids can provide support or make certain activities easier. Their purpose should be clearly defined. It is just as important that the aid fits properly and can be used in everyday life. Not every joint condition needs a brace. Pain medication is considered in light of accompanying conditions, tolerability and existing medicines. It may aim to relieve a difficult period of pain. However, noticeable pain relief does not automatically mean cartilage has regrown. We want to explain the effects and limitations clearly.

ACP or PRP and hyaluronic acid injections are among the services described at OrthoCoast. This does not amount to a general recommendation for every case of osteoarthritis. The affected region, the condition and the available evidence need to be considered. One point is particularly important: findings about the knee cannot automatically be applied to the hip. If tendon or muscle symptoms are also present, other questions may take priority. Our physical therapies include radial and focused shockwave therapy, as well as massage for myogelosis, meaning localised areas of muscle tightness. Each treatment has its own context of use. Treating muscle tissue, for example, does not restore joint cartilage. Before an additional treatment, we discuss the benefit we aim to achieve in your situation, what remains uncertain and which risks or alternatives matter. This assessment may also lead to a reasoned decision not to add another treatment.

Your feedback is essential for assessing progress. Is the agreed activity easier? Can you tolerate more activity? Do you have less pain but a side effect that affects you more? These observations help us continue or adjust the plan. If suitable non-surgical treatment does not help enough, we discuss further assessment and, if appropriate, a surgical consultation. A diagnosis of osteoarthritis does not automatically mean joint replacement. Equally, we cannot promise to prevent it in every case or delay it by a particular length of time.

For non-surgical joint and osteoarthritis care, you can consult Priv. Doz. Dr. med. habil. Richard Kasch, Dr. med. Christoph Jährling, Björn Weidemann and Dipl. med. Matthias Dallmann. Dallmann’s locum cover is arranged individually. You will find their respective qualifications in the doctors’ profiles. Which doctor provides an additional treatment depends on the procedure chosen. ACP/PRP, hyaluronic acid injections and shockwave therapy are provided here by Priv. Doz. Dr. med. habil. Richard Kasch, Dr. med. Christoph Jährling and Björn Weidemann. We agree the specific treatment route with you based on your concerns and the medical recommendation.