Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that leads to pain, stiffness and restricted movement due to the progressive breakdown of cartilage. Treatment includes exercise therapy, pain management and targeted physiotherapy or osteopathic measures to improve mobility and quality of life.
Aims of the treatment
- acute and pain-relieving also with chronic pain
- to fix or reduce the functional restrictions
- an improvement in the symptoms of osteoarthritis
- Improve muscular imbalances
Physiotherapy can be used to relieve pain for both acute and chronic pain. In particular, it helps to eliminate or reduce the functional restrictions. These measures are very effective.
Excercises
- coordinated strength training
- movement exercises and stretching
- active and passive exercises
- joints are more flexible
- muscle shortening, called in the jargon contractures, are eliminated by these exercises
Physiotherapy
An improvement in the symptoms of osteoarthritis can be achieved by physiotherapy, balancing muscular dysbalances and daily movement exercises for affected joints (without stress). A specially tailored to the personal conditions strength training strengthens the motion-bearing muscles of the affected joint. Strong muscles are better able to absorb shocks and stabilize joint movement.
Movement exercises and stretching
Active and passive exercises and stretching techniques are used in physiotherapy to make joints more flexible. These exercises are designed to prevent muscles from shortening and thus impairing the mobility of the joints. Already existing muscle shortening, called in the jargon contractures, are eliminated by these exercises.
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