Conservative treatments for knee osteoarthritis
If the knee osteoarthritis and the associated symptoms are not yet very advanced, we can offer you the following conservative treatment methods:
- Anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving and cartilage-strengthening medication / substances
- Joint infiltration / joint injections with lubricants (hyaluronic acid or autologous blood) and anti-inflammatory medication (cortisone)
- New combined method: Cellular Matrix (combination of autologous blood and hyaluronic acid therapy)
Joint injection with cortisone
Cortisone injections into the knee joint are an effective remedy and reduce pain as well as knee swelling and joint effusion. However, cortisone also has some side effects:
- On the one hand, it attacks the bone and cartilage and weakens the tendons.
- In addition, cortisone suppresses the immune system, which in turn increases the risk of infection.
Alternatives to cortisone injections are either injections with hyaluronic acid or injections with the patient's own blood. Another alternative is the so-called Cellular Matrix = combination of hyaluronic acid and autologous blood.
Joint injection with hyaluronic acid
The hyaluronic acid preparation is a synthetically produced lubricant for the joints. By injecting it into the joint, the friction of the arthritically altered cartilage surface is reduced. This allows the joint to move better. In addition, the joint is less irritated by the lubrication, which reduces the joint inflammation caused by osteoarthritis. This in turn reduces osteoarthritis pain.
Depending on the stage of osteoarthritis, the lubricating injections work differently. Many patients regain a good quality of life thanks to these lubricating injections.
Initially, a total of three lubricating injections are injected at intervals of one week. This is done in our practice. The effect of the lubricant injections lasts for a certain period of time. The injection can be repeated at any time if the response is good.
As not all patients respond equally well to these lubricating injections, the costs are not covered by health insurance.
The price of a lubricating injection for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis is around CHF 120 and must be paid in cash or by card immediately after treatment.
Joint injection with autologous blood
The body's own wound healing from the blood is utilised for this purpose: When you cut yourself, our blood indicates the appropriate healing. The thrombocytes in particular are crucial for this.
15 ml of the patient's own blood is specially prepared and injected into the knee to be treated in the same session. This treatment lubricates the knee joint.
At the same time, the platelets release the body's own wound healing factors. These have an anti-inflammatory effect and promote tissue healing.
This endogenous therapy significantly reduces arthritic symptoms in many patients. Here too, three injections are administered at one-week intervals.
As not all patients respond equally well to these autologous blood injections, the costs are not covered by health insurance.
The price for an injection of autologous blood for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis is approximately CHF 150 and must be paid in cash or by card immediately after the treatment.
Unique method: Cellular Matrix
Combined joint injection of hyaluronic acid and autologous blood
We are now one of the first centres to offer the new "Cellular Matrix" osteoarthritis therapy. It combines the favourable properties of autologous blood therapy with those of hyaluronic acid therapy to achieve even better results in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
Here, the extraction of growth factors and platelets from the patient's own blood is optimised using a special separating gel and cross-linked with hyaluronic acid in a test tube. This creates a homogeneous matrix, which improves the distribution of both substances in the joint.
Numerous studies have shown a significantly better effect of the combined preparation compared to single doses.
This new therapy was specially developed for the conservative treatment of knee osteoarthritis. However, it can also be used in cartilage therapy, cruciate ligament therapy (conservative, cruciate ligament suture or replacement) and after knee surgery, e.g. meniscus suture, to promote the healing process and reduce pain and swelling.
What are the benefits of Cellular Matrix Therapy?
Cellular Matrix Therapy works on a biological level in the sense of natural self-healing and therefore takes a long time to have an effect.
The aim is to slow down arthrotic cartilage degradation and give you a better quality of life thanks to the pain relief you gain. This means that surgical treatment can be delayed.
How does Cellular Matrix therapy work?
We recommend 3 injections at intervals of 2 weeks. One treatment (1 injection) takes approx. 20 minutes and is carried out on an outpatient basis. It includes the following steps:
- Blood collection (approx. 10ml)
- Centrifugation of the blood and separation into the blood components
- Collection of autologous blood and simultaneous mixing with hyaluronic acid
- Extraction of cellular matrix (approx. 4-5ml)
- Injection into the affected joint
The treated joint can then be immediately loaded and moved.
Cellular Matrix therapy can be repeated several times as required.
How much does Cellular Matrix therapy cost?
The price per injection is approximately CHF 250 and is payable in cash or by card immediately after the treatment.
For a therapy consisting of 3 injections, a total of CHF 750 is to be expected.
The costs are not covered by basic health insurance. If you have private supplementary insurance with alternative medicine, some insurance companies will make a contribution to Cellular Matrix Therapy. We recommend that you clarify the cost coverage with your insurance company before treatment.
Book a consultation appointment
We guarantee rapid, expert clarification and advice as well as treatment using the most modern methods.
Dr Andreas L. Oberholzer is a proven expert in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis and has extensive experience in the field of artificial knee joints and alternative treatment methods.
Book your appointment directly online here or call us on +41 44 388 16 16. You are also welcome to come to us for a second opinion.
General Swiss insurance (basic health insurance) is sufficient for a consultation at our specialist centre.
Knee prosthesis insertion with the help of augmented reality technology
Cartilage-supporting medication
PD Dr Andreas L. Oberholzer
FMH specialist in orthopaedics and trauma surgery. Areas of specialisation: Knee, hip and foot surgery.
