Elbow arthritis (also called osteoarthritis or osteoarthrosis) is a rare disease that is associated with damage to the articular cartilage. The condition most often develops as a result of an injury, prolonged microtrauma during physical labor, or excessive sports load. The disease often affects men of working age. You can opt to go to Germany to treat your elbow arthritis. The pathology of any severity can be successfully treated in this country. The full restoration of limb function and elimination of pain are possible even at the last stage of osteoarthritis.
Content
- Conservative treatment
- Surgical treatment
The disease is most often treated with conservative methods, such as painkillers, orthoses, exercises, physiotherapy, or drug injections into the elbow joint. If the effect is insufficient, arthroscopic surgery will be performed. In the most severe cases, doctors resort to total joint replacement surgery, in which an artificial elbow joint is implanted.
You can seek medical attention from the ATOS Clinic Munich, the Vitos Orthopedic Clinic Kassel, or the University Hospital Heidelberg.
So that you do not have to resolve issues with organizing your trip to Germany on your own, make your treatment appointment through the Booking Health service. Our specialists will help you with the preparation of documents and the translation of diagnostic results and medical records into German. They will also book hotel and airline tickets for you. Our company's employees will meet you in Germany, take you to the hospital by car, provide interpreting services, and solve any organizational issues.
Conservative treatment
The objective of conservative therapy is to reduce pain, improve limb function, and slow down the development of the disease. It is important to exclude the need for any surgical treatment, or at least delay the operation as much as possible, based on the clinical case. The main methods of conservative therapy are listed below:
- orthoses for elbow immobilization and protection;
- therapeutic exercises;
- physiotherapy;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- glucocorticoids.
Patients are advised to avoid non-physiological arm positions and maintain balance while lifting weights. Night orthoses are often used to protect the elbow when sleeping.
Exercise is the most affordable way to achieve long-term improvement. A patient first performs exercises led by an instructor, then independently at home. Exercises are aimed at building the muscles of the scapula, shoulder, and forearm. The first improvement should be expected in 4-6 weeks.
Regenerative therapy methods can be used for the treatment of elbow arthritis in Germany. Autologous conditioned plasma (ACP) is injected into the elbow, and stem cell therapy can also be conducted.
Surgical treatment
Operations for the treatment of elbow osteoarthritis in Germany are performed using a minimally invasive arthroscopic technique. They are done through incisions that are 2-3 mm long, so the intervention is minimally traumatic and allows patients to shorten the rehabilitation period.
The following can be done to relieve pain and improve joint mobility:
- removal of osteophytes (bony growths);
- dissection of the inflamed synovial membrane (synovectomy);
- removal of cartilage and joint capsule areas with degenerative changes;
- removal of the head of the radius.
When performing surgery, doctors try not to damage the superficial radial nerve, posterior interosseous nerve, anterior interosseous nerve, or medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve. You should seek medical attention from reputable hospitals with vast experience in elbow arthroscopy to avoid complications.
Treatment options for advanced osteoarthritis include the following:
- Interpositional arthroplasty is a surgical procedure in which doctors use an autograft (the patient's fascia, tendon, or skin) that is placed between the articular surfaces. This "cushion" softens friction and eliminates pain.
- Total elbow replacement is the most traumatic operation but, at the same time, the most effective one. It permanently eliminates the problem of elbow arthritis. However, a patient must limit physical activity to ensure that the endoprosthesis lasts as long as possible. Orthopedic rehabilitation will take three months following the operation, during which time physiotherapy and arm muscle strengthening exercises will be performed.
You are welcome to use the Booking Health service to undergo your diagnostics and treatment for elbow arthritis at one of the modern medical centers in Germany. On our website, you can find out the cost of medical services and choose a treatment program at the best price. Our specialists will help you select the most suitable clinics in Germany and arrange your trip.
Authors:
The article was edited by medical experts, board-certified doctors Dr. Sergey Pashchenko and Dr. Vadim Zhiliuk. For the treatment of the conditions referred to in the article, you must consult a doctor; the information in the article is not intended for self-medication!
Sources:
Articles for Orthopaedic Practice - Orthogate
Sience Direct
