Even if osteoarthritis cannot be cured conservatively, there are good ways of making the joint run more smoothly again and giving the cartilage a chance to regenerate using the latest treatment methods from top-class sport.
Symptoms such as pain, swelling and restricted movement can usually be eliminated in this way. Even professional athletes can often continue their careers despite osteoarthritis.
In particular, the targeted combination of hyaluronic acid and ACP, which is used in competitive sports to regenerate damaged joints, shows very good treatment results in almost all our patients.
Hyaluronic acid is the most important component of synovial fluid. It acts in many ways in the joint, as a shock absorber, spacer and lubricant. It also helps to nourish the cartilage.
Cartilageis not supplied with blood, but is supplied passively by absorbing and releasing synovial fluid during movement. As an essential component of the synovial fluid, hyaluronic acid ensures the elasticity of the cartilage and thus its resistance as a shock absorber.
If a joint is injured or inflamed, the amount of hyaluronic acid and therefore the natural lubricant in the joint decreases. The joint surfaces rub more against each other and the inflammation and joint wear continue - a vicious cycle for the joint.
By injecting additional hyaluronic acid into the affected joint, the cycle is stopped, the joint is better lubricated again and runs "smoother" - swelling and pain are reduced.
Many injuries to the human body heal themselves. Behind this complex healing process are growth factors from the blood.
During treatment with ACP, blood is taken from the patient with a small special syringe, similar to the way you would have a blood test at your GP.
This blood is then specially processed so that only the growth factors responsible for healing remain in a highly concentrated form.
The body's own active substance obtained in this way is then injected into the affected joint.
Various cell types are activated at the injection site (chondrocytes, osteoblasts and stem cells) and the production of collagen and proteoglycans (the basic building blocks of cartilage) is modulated and improved.
The body's own healing process can thus be significantly supported.* ACP is even used in professional soccer as a preventative measure against joint wear and tear. Animal experiments have even shown a build-up of cartilage.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid can be used to treat mild to moderate cartilage damage where cartilage is still present and cartilage wear has only occurred in some areas.
Hyaluronic acid is very suitable for mild to moderate osteoarthritis where there are no deep, free cartilage defects that extend to the bone. With hyaluronic acid, at least a large part of the cartilage must still be present so that it becomes elastic and nourished again and can optimally transfer pressure.
Hyaluronic acid stabilizes the existing cartilage. This works through a kind of "sponge effect". The cartilage fills up again and not only becomes larger, it also remains elastic and therefore resilient.
ACP
In the case of major cartilage damage, or if the cartilage is already completely depleted in some areas, ACP is clearly suitable for treatment, as studies have shown that it can build up new cartilage.
Not only is the nutrient (hyaluronic acid) for the cartilage injected into the joint in question, but also growth factors from the patient's own blood, which support the body's self-healing process.
ACP often works significantly faster and better than hyaluronic acid, particularly in the case of severely painful, inflamed joints, although it also has an anti-inflammatory and decongestant effect.
The gold standard: the combination of hyaluronic acid + AC P
A combination of both treatments often makes sense in order to achieve the best possible results - especially if a lot is still expected of the affected joint in terms of sport.
Hyaluronic acid is normally injected 5 times a week and usually lasts for 9 months.
ACP treatments are recommended by us in 3-5 treatments at weekly intervals, depending on the severity of the damage.
However, each of our patients is given an individual treatment plan, in which the current damage and expectations (e.g. sporting activities) play a significant role.
Both treatments should then be refreshed annually.
Hyaluronic acid
If the joints are already extremely dry and have significantly too little fluid, in most cases the first dose of hyaluronic acid works very well. Patients notice a significant improvement in everyday life. Standing up, climbing stairs and going for a walk are much easier.
If the joint still has sufficient synovial fluid, the main effect usually starts after the third injection, as this is when the increase in the joint's own production is set in motion. The patient feels the joint running more smoothly again and the symptoms are significantly reduced.
ACP
ACP often has a significant anti-inflammatory effect immediately after the first injection. The patient usually notices how the joint in question reacts after the injections. As with hyaluronic acid, in most cases a significant improvement can be felt after the 3rd injection.
As the injection is applied to an unloaded part of the joint and our specialists often do this on a daily basis, there is normally virtually no pain.
ACP treatment also involves a small blood sample, and the joint can also react very slightly when the regeneration processes begin. However, this only lasts for a day and is described by patients as "working in the joint" rather than pain.
With hyaluronic acid: If the joints are already extremely dry and have significantly too little fluid, in most cases the first injection of hyaluronic acid works very well and significantly improves standing up, climbing stairs and normal walking.
If the joint still has sufficient synovial fluid, hyaluronic acid often has a clear effect after the third injection, as this is when the joint's own production starts. The patient feels a much softer joint again and the symptoms are significantly reduced.
ACP often has a significant anti-inflammatory effect immediately after the first injection. The patient often notices that the joint in question reacts after the injections. Similar to hyaluronic acid, in most cases a significant improvement is noticed after the 3rd injection.
Both hyaluronic acid and ACP are the body's own substances, and ACP even uses the body's own blood. This is why side effects hardly ever occur.
We avoid the risk of infection from an injection into a joint by disinfecting extremely thoroughly, for example, we use the same disinfectant that is used for disinfection during operations. This is a very costly disinfection process, but we want to ensure maximum safety for our patients.
Many years ago, autologous blood therapy was also used to treat chronic wounds and therefore the risk of infections, which are very rare anyway, is significantly lower.
Hyaluronic acid is covered by most private health insurance companies.
As ACP is still a new treatment method and is still being researched, unfortunately not all private health insurance companies cover the treatment costs. As several studies have proven the effectiveness of ACP, we therefore recommend that you ask your health insurance provider in advance whether they will cover the treatment. Our entire team will be happy to support you with applications for your insurance with an additional letter from us. Reference is also made here to the latest literature, which can also be provided in written form at any time.
Our primary aim is always to offer you the best possible treatment and never to withhold options from you.
Of course, you can also cover the costs of osteoarthritis treatment yourself. We will be happy to draw up a treatment plan for you in advance.
