[Management of the geriatric patients with osteoarthrosis (author's transl)]

A knowledge of the differential diagnosis of osteoarthrosis and its predicted natural course is essential in the management of patients with this disease. The prognosis is usually better than is generally accepted; osteoarthrosis is the remodelling of a joint defect rather than a progressive disease. An explanation of the origin of his pain is more important to the patient than medical treatment. He should be helped to strike a balance between protection of the diseased joints, thus preventing traumatisation and therefore new painful inflammation on the one hand, while maintaining active use of his joints which is important in their remodeling and adaptation on the other. Some pain on weightbearing has to be accepted as a physiological joint protection.