Symptoms
Joint wear and tear is one of the most common causes of chronic pain and restricted movement in everyday life. As an experienced orthopaedic specialist for osteoarthritis in Innsbruck, Dr Pittl possesses comprehensive expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis and other joint diseases.
Joint wear, medically known as osteoarthritis, is a degenerative change in the joint cartilage and occurs when the protective cartilage in a joint is increasingly broken down. Over time, the joint surfaces rub directly against each other, resulting in inflammation, pain, and a progressive restriction of mobility.
In the course of the disease, joint wear can also affect adjacent structures such as bones, ligaments, and muscles. As one of the most common joint diseases, osteoarthritis usually develops gradually and is often only noticed when symptoms increase.
Dr. Gregor Pittl
Specialist in Orthopaedics, Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology
Cause
Joint wear and tear rarely arises from a single cause; usually, several factors interact:
Symptoms
The following symptoms frequently occur with various joint diseases, including osteoarthritis, and should be clarified early. Typical complaints of joint wear and tear include:
Treatment
Through specialised diagnostics, Dr Pittl can create a precise analysis of the clinical picture and recommend individual therapy options. The diagnosis includes a detailed medical history, clinical examination, and, if necessary, imaging procedures (e.g. X-ray, MRI).
Subsequently, treatment can be tailored to the stage of joint wear, the affected joint, and the patient’s individual needs.
Possible measures for the treatment of osteoarthritis include:
Weight reduction & lifestyle adjustment: permanently reduces mechanical stress
Not every case of osteoarthritis requires surgical intervention. Surgery may only be advisable when conservative measures have been exhausted and severe symptoms persist.
In advanced cases of osteoarthritis, surgical procedures are used to alleviate pain and improve mobility.
Dr. Gregor Pittl
As a specialized orthopedist for osteoarthritis, Dr. Pittl takes the time to thoroughly advise each patient and answer all questions. The goal of individual care is to build trust and provide reassurance, from diagnosis to the completion of osteoarthritis treatment.
Consulting an expert in joint diseases provides the certainty of receiving high-quality care and sustainably improving one’s quality of life. You are welcome to schedule an appointment for a private consultation.
The knees, hips, shoulders, spine, and finger and toe joints are particularly commonly affected. However, osteoarthritis can fundamentally affect any joint.
Typical conservative treatment methods at Dr. Pittl’s practice include physiotherapy, infiltration therapies (e.g., hyaluronic acid or anti-inflammatory injections), shockwave therapy, magnetic field therapy, and individually tailored training and rehabilitation programs.
This depends on the stage and the chosen therapy. Conservative treatment cycles usually last several weeks. Following surgery, a rehabilitation phase of weeks to months follows.
Yes, low-impact training such as swimming, cycling, or targeted strength training strengthens the muscles, relieves the joints, and can slow the progression of joint wear.
Dr. Pittl recommends having persistent joint pain or restricted mobility assessed early on.
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