Knorpelschaden und Gonarthrose, Teil III

durch-Abstract Patients suffering from gonarthritis have to understand the character of this chronic disease. This is an important presupposition for success in conservative or operative treatment. The patient has to understand that gonarthritis mostly means long-life changes in lifestyle. The intensive talk with the physician but also information brochures as well as participation in self-care-groups can be helpfully. Conservative treatment of gonarthritis based on three main directions: drugs, physical therapy and supports. The mainly drugs which are used in treatment of gonar-thritis have analgetic and antiphlogistic effects. Pure analgetic drugs (non-opiate or opiate analgetic) are seldom required. It is generally accepted that NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are method of choice in arthritis therapy today. The mainly effect of NSAID is an inhibition of the prostaglandin synthesis by inhibition of the cyclooxigenase activity. Disadvan-tageously are side effects especially within the gastro-intestinal tract. No significantly effects produce topical drugs (containing NSAID or phytotherapeutics). But in some cases these externa effect a decrease of the patients complaints. Other drugs called as SADOA (slow acting drugs in osteoarthritis) or DMOAD (disease modyfying osteoarthritis drugs) can be usefull in gonarthi-tis treatment. SADOA are f.e. D-glucosamine-sulfate, vitamin E, selen or i.a.