Conservative knee treatments
If the knee osteoarthritis is not yet very advanced, it can be treated conservatively with the help of special shoe inserts and medication to relieve pain and strengthen the cartilage, as well as weight reduction.
Overview of conservative treatment methods
- Anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication
- Medication and substances for cartilage strengthening
- Medical training therapy / physiotherapy
- Injections into the joint with lubricants (hyaluronic acid or autologous blood) and anti-inflammatory medication (cortisone)
- Aids such as walking sticks, insoles, health shoes
- Changes in lifestyle with regard to sport, obesity, diet, etc.
These measures can reduce the pain and slow down the progression of cartilage wear. Unfortunately, osteoarthritis itself cannot be stopped or cured.
Conservative treatment options:
Injections 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 PRP or ACP, which is obtained from the patient's own blood. Another alternative is the so-called cellular matrix (combination of hyaluronic acid and autologous blood).
Injections 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 approximately CHF 120.
Injections 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 platelets in particular are crucial for this.
PRP is obtained from 15 ml of the patient's own blood using a special preparation and injected into the knee to be treated in the same session. This treatment lubricates the knee joint.
At the same time, the thrombocytes 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 to treat knee osteoarthritis is around CHF 150.
Cellular Matrix: Combination of hyaluronic acid and autologous blood
Cellular Matrix combines two established treatment methods (autologous blood therapy and hyaluronic acid therapy) to achieve even better results for osteoarthritis patients.
This new therapy has been specially developed for the conservative treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
At the Centre for Joint and Sports Surgery, we now offer osteoarthritis therapy with Cellular-Matrix. It combines the favourable properties of autologous blood therapy with hyaluronic acid therapy to achieve even better results in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
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.
Cellular Matrix Therapy includes the following treatment methods:
Autologous blood therapy
In autologous blood therapy, platelet-rich plasma is obtained from the patient's own blood. Plasma is the liquid part of the blood and contains many growth factors, vitamins, hormones and electrolytes. The blood platelets (thrombocytes) are also present in the blood plasma and play an important role in the repair mechanisms of defective tissue. Accordingly, platelets contain many growth factors and anti-inflammatory proteins. Autologous blood therapy is based on the highly concentrated plasma obtained, which is rich in platelets and growth factors, to specifically promote the patient's own natural wound healing.
Hyaluronic acid therapy
In hyaluronic acid therapy, hyaluronic acid with a viscous consistency is injected into the affected joint to improve lubrication. Hyaluronic acid is a carbohydrate that has the special ability to bind water and thus makes the synovial fluid thicker, which serves as a lubricant. Unfortunately, the production of hyaluronic acid decreases with age, which can lead to cartilage damage and pain.
These two treatments are combined simultaneously in Cellular Matrix Therapy to achieve a better effect.
Your benefits
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.
Cellular Matrix therapy can be repeated several times as required.
The Cellular Matrix procedure
The 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.
The costs
3 injections at intervals of 2 weeks are recommended. The cost per injection is CHF 250.
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.
PD Dr Andreas L. Oberholzer
FMH specialist in orthopaedics and trauma surgery. Areas of specialisation: Knee, hip and foot surgery.