Osteoarthritis is a common disease of the joints that consists in a deterioration of the joints, not associated with old age. The patient suffers predominantly from pains when first starting to move or when the joints are tense.
Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis) describes a sign of worn in one (or more) joints, as a result of excessive degradation, beyond the usual wear that comes with age. Various causes lead to osteoarthritis, which are generally accompanied by damage to the cartilage. It subsequently leads to break down of the bone.
Excessive degradation of the joints is common among the elderly who are also overweight or have reduced bone matter (known as osteoporosis). People born with defective positioning of the joints or who have injured a joint in an accident are also likely to suffer from osteoarthritis. It’s estimated that about two out of three people over the age of 65 show signs of osteoarthritis, but not all are symptomatic. At first, osteoarthritis is felt as joint pain, causing loss of ability and often stiffness. Pain can be noticeable upon beginning of movements or during strenuous physical work.
Advanced osteoarthritis can cause defective positioning of the joint as well as limitations to movement. Knees, hips, and fingers are all commonly affected. Therapy for osteoarthritis seeks to reduce pain and also to avoid any bone changes. Weight reduction in the case of obesity and regular, gentle exercises for the purpose of maintaining function in the joints are both important factors in treatment. If necessary, painkillers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or local steroids may be prescribed. Additionally, substances that slow the process of damage to the cartilage may be incorporated into treatment. At the end stage of osteoarthritis, an operation to replace the affected joint with an artificial one often improves symptoms and quality of life.
Several years of work in academia, medical practice and finally commercialization make it possible to provide an end-to-end process to help users to “find the appropriate medical help based on their present symptoms”. Below you will find a short explanation, showing you which part of the platform will help you best in finding the appropriate medical support.
Proceed as follows to enter your current symptoms.
Click on the appropriate body part on the picture. Select one/multiple symptoms corresponding to your complaint.
You can also add symptoms by typing your medical complaint in the search box and selecting the best matching suggestion.
Note: Your information will be kept anonymously.
Once you have selected all applicable symptoms, click the “analyze disease pattern”-button.
Accordingly, you will get a list of possible diseases and matching doctor categories who can further help you.
You can inform yourself about the possible diseases by reading the related information. But you can also return to the previous step and add more symptoms or delete already added ones to further narrow down your disease pattern.
Click on the desired doctor category to find a doctor who can help you.
If you are logged in with your profile, you will be displayed the appropriate doctors in your area. Otherwise you can enter an address in the “address” field and you will be displayed a doctor’s list around that specified address.
You will receive further information about the displayed doctors when you press on “details”.
Online bookable doctors in your area will be indicated with the notation “Book appointment” or “Book externally”, additionally they will be displayed on top of the list for your convenience.
Click on “Book appointment” to start the online appointment booking process with the desired doctor.
Please select an available appointment. “Green“ appointments are booked directly. “Red“ appointments need to be confirmed by the doctor.
Enter your general personal and health information.
Enter your present medical symptoms.
Enter your mobile phone number to identify yourself and you can finalize the appointment booking.
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