[Drug therapy of arthrosis]

The drug therapy of osteoarthritis and mainly of the large joints consists in less severe cases in analgesic drugs. Nonsteroidal antirtheumatic drugs with their analgesic and antiinflammatory action are used in more severe cases. In elderly persons their side effects are more serious, therefore strict controls are important. Therapy with so-called chondroprotective substances is not yet established but the glycosaminoglycan-peptid and also the glucosaminosulfate may be able to slow down the arthrotic process. An additional therapeutic possibility are intraarticular injections of hyaluronic acid and the knee-lavage. A drug therapy in osteoarthritis should never be given as a single measure, but always in combination with physiotherapy and general measures like weight reduction or using a cane, etc.