Conservative therapy
After thorough physical examination and additional diagnosis where required, a conservative therapy approach should be taken whenever possible.
A wide range of options is available for this, and thanks to the extensive experience of the doctors at OrthoPraxis, we can put these to use to your best advantage.
We doctors and our staff undergo regular and specialised training in this regard.
Therapies include the following:
Drug therapy
In many cases, targeted drug therapy can alleviate pain. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory properties of some drugs can be used to great effect.
When treating osteoporosis, the use of medication, besides movement, is an important option for enhancing the healing process.
These therapies can be carried out in various forms; tablets, injections/infusions and even ointments can be used.
Where necessary, targeted antibiotic therapy is also part of orthopaedic treatments (targeted and customised antibiotic therapy can help reduce the overall need for medication significantly).
Herbal and homeopathic substances are also used.
Chiropractic / manual therapy
Manual medicine fundamentally deals with restoring the mobility of joints that are intact in terms of their shape and structure, but that have impaired function. Dysfunction such as limited mobility (blockage) of the spine and joints, and fascias and muscles is targeted in manual medicine. Diagnosis and therapy are based on biomechanical and neurophysiological principles. The focus is on providing preventive, curative and rehabilitative treatment by hand.
Osteoporosis diagnosis and therapy
This includes bone density measurement, which we carry out by means of a high-tech, non-invasive DXA device (Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry; the most established procedure for measuring bone density according to European guidelines).
Based on the measured values we can then decide what the correct therapy for you is.
Is it merely a case of having to support your bone metabolism (vitamin D/calcium), or is there a need to actively intervene in the metabolism? Therapy can thus begin at an early stage to prevent the risk of fractures or chronic back pain.
Exclusion of osteoporosis
Evidence of osteoporosis
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapeutic exercises are an important aspect of conservative orthopaedic therapy. They include rehabilitative exercises, lymph drainage, manual therapy, exercises using resistance equipment and many more. They help improve or at least maintain the patient’s mobility and functional capability.
We prescribe these therapies with professionals, and will gladly discuss the therapy with your therapist in the event of unclear situations so that you can achieve maximum results.
As part of the therapy you should also be provided with home exercises, which means your therapist provides you with an exercise programme that you can continue at home.
Infiltration therapy
Where necessary, targeted infiltrations or injections can significantly relieve pain or inflammation. In some instances it is also possible to confirm the accuracy of diagnosis with this approach, for example in the case of peridural infiltrations according to Krämer.
We have sophisticated imaging techniques such as radioscopy (image intensifier-based) and sonography available to us so that we can deliver the most accurate treatment possible.
Sports medicine
Sports medicine comprises theoretical and practical medicine. It examines the effect of movement, training and sport as well as lack of motion on healthy and sick persons of all ages in order to use this information for the purpose of injury prevention, therapy and rehabilitation in sportspeople.
This is not to say that sports medicine is only accessible to athletes – older patients also benefit from the findings.
Our role in this is to help prevent injury and assist patients with rehabilitation in case of injury.
Platelet-rich plasma
What is PRP (platelet-rich plasma)?
PRP: Concentrated platelets produced from the patient’s own blood
Platelet-rich plasma is a natural concentrate made from your own blood. It consists mainly of platelets, blood plasma and other blood components.
Platelets play a key role in the repair mechanisms of soft and hard tissue. They provide essential factors of growth such as FGF, PDGF, TGF-ß, EGF, VEGF which are involved in stem cell migration, differentiation and proliferation. In addition, the platelets also stimulate fibroblasts and endothelial cells to attach new extracellular matrix or neovascularisation.
Blood plasma contains many important factors necessary for cell survival, including nutrients such as vitamins, hormones, electrolytes, proteins and important factors of growth such as IGF and HGF. Among plasma proteins, the molecules responsible for coagulation and the formation of the fibrin polymer act as a scaffold for cell migration and tissue regeneration.
What is the combination product of hyaluronic acid and PRP:
A combination of the complementary clinical effects of hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma. In addition to the benefits of PRP, hyaluronic acid can have a complementary analgesic effect as it is a component of the synovial fluid and reduces friction in the joint. In addition, the action of PRP can be improved by hyaluronic acid.
Product characteristics of PRP:
- Regenerative abilities of thrombocytes
- Natural treatment
- Autologous (body’s own) product
- Simple, safe and effective technique
- Very low risk of rejection or allergic reaction
- Final product 100% biocompatible and personalised
- Angiogenesis is stimulated
What can I expect from the treatment:
- The treatment works on a biological level and therefore cannot be compared to fast-acting painkillers.
- The treatment aims at a long-term and lasting relief of symptoms.
- The aim is to stop further degeneration as far as possible, or at least to slow it down considerably, so that surgical treatment approaches can be delayed as long as possible and to regain your quality of life through mobility and pain relief.
How does the treatment work:
The entire procedure takes about 15-30 minutes, depending on the indication, and is carried out on an ambulatory basis.
- Blood Drawing
- Centrifugation and separation of blood components and extraction of ready-to-use PRP or the combination of PRP and hyaluronic acid.
- Application/injection of the product obtained.
Orthopaedic technology / assistive device prescription
Another important aspect of conservative orthopaedic therapy is the prescription or individual adaptation of assistive devices. These are generally immediately applied at our practice as part of the treatment (plaster casts) or are appropriately prescribed by us. They are then professionally customised for you by an orthopaedic technician or pedorthist.
Examples in this regard are orthotics for foot malpositions, splints (ortheses) for ligament injuries, customised shoe modifications and prostheses.
We work closely with reliable partners to find a tailored solution adapted to individual requirements. In difficult cases we meet with the technicians to discuss and develop an appropriate solution for you.
Medical services on individual demand (IGeL - Individuelle Gesundheitsleistungen)
These healthcare services are not reimbursed by the German statutory health insurance system (SHI). However, since we are convinced of their positive effect (and as proven in numerous studies) we would like to offer you these services for your wellbeing and your health.
- DXA measurement for osteoporosis diagnosis
- Foot pressure measurement
- Joint infiltration with hyaluronic acid for treating arthritis (increased lubrication of the joint structures, acts as shock-absorber and has regenerative and anti-inflammatory effects)
Ausschluß Osteoporose
Nachweis Osteoporose
Foot pressure measurement
Infant hip sonography according to Graf
We perform infant hip sonography as recommended at our practice. This examination has now become compulsory as part of the U3 examination in Germany. The examination does not expose your baby to any harmful radiation.
Infant hip sonography according to Graf
The purpose here is to identify problems regarding the development of hip joints (hip dysplasia) in babies early on and to start therapy as early as possible were necessary.
Hip dysplasia is a congenital dislocation of the hip. The hip joint has not formed normally. A healthy hip joint consists of the socket and the femoral head, which are normally perfectly matched in terms of size and shape. In hip dysplasia the socket does not cover the femoral head sufficiently, which means it is not held properly in the socket. The possible consequence: The femoral head can slip out of the socket due to this instability. This can lead to growth disorders, restricted mobility and, in the worst case, to problems when walking. Early treatment can however prevent this, which is why diagnosis is so important!
Infant hip sonography helps us gain an extremely accurate assessment of your baby’s joints. Where necessary, we immediately start with optimum therapy. For example, by providing abduction pants or similar.
Naturally, we will also gladly continue to help and support you and your baby. It is particularly important that treatment starts as early as possible and is then also consistently implemented. We perform regular examinations at our practice to check that the hip joint is developing optimally.
We are happy to advise you!
Sonogram of healthy hip positioning in a baby
