Русский 
English 
Deutsch 
Español 
العربية 
中文 
Türkçe 
Français 
Italiano 
Types of arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Autoimmune systemic disease. The immune system attacks the synovial membrane of joints. Symmetrical involvement of small joints of hands and feet (metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal). Morning stiffness over 1 hour. Without treatment — pannus destroys cartilage and bone (erosions). Prevalence: 0.5-1% of population, women 3 times more often.
Osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis with inflammation)
Primary cartilage degeneration with secondary inflammation (synovitis). The most common form of "arthritis." Large joints: knee, Hip Joint, spine. Pain on loading, morning stiffness less than 30 minutes, crepitus. On X-ray: joint space narrowing, osteophytes.
→ Knee Osteoarthritis (Gonarthrosis) | → Hip Osteoarthritis (Coxarthrosis)
Gouty arthritis
Deposition of uric acid crystals. Acute attack: red, hot, sharply painful joint (most often 1st toe). Between attacks — asymptomatic. Diagnosis: blood uric acid, polarized microscopy of aspirate.
Psoriatic arthritis
In 30% of psoriasis patients. Asymmetrical involvement, dactylitis ("sausage digit"), distal interphalangeal joint involvement, enthesitis (tendon attachment inflammation), spondylitis. Nail changes.
Reactive arthritis
Aseptic joint inflammation after infection (genitourinary — chlamydia, gastrointestinal — salmonella, yersinia). Asymmetrical oligoarthritis of lower extremities. Reiter's triad: arthritis + urethritis + conjunctivitis. More common in men 20-40 years old.
Septic (infectious) arthritis
Direct bacterial invasion into the joint. Staphylococcus aureus — 60%. Emergency condition: without treatment — joint destruction in days. Aspiration + culture + antibiotics. Whether regenerative treatment is an option in this condition is assessed by the clinic doctor.
Arthritis vs osteoarthritis — key differences
Arthritis
Inflammatory process. Morning stiffness > 30-60 min. Swelling, redness, warmth. Can affect any age. Elevated ESR, CRP. On ultrasound — synovitis with Doppler activity.
Osteoarthritis
Degenerative process. Stiffness < 15-30 min. Pain on loading, decreases at rest. More common after 50 years. Laboratory parameters normal. On X-ray — osteophytes, joint space narrowing.
Mixed forms
In practice, often combined: inflammatory osteoarthritis, RA with secondary osteoarthritis. Cells and growth factors mainly reduce inflammation and may support tissue healing; how much the tissue recovers cannot be predicted in advance.
Arthritis: treatment options and what is known about them
The treatment plan is made by the clinic doctor after an examination and a review of your images. The table shows the options usually discussed for this diagnosis and how well they have been studied.
| Option | What to expect | How well studied |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment by a rheumatologist | Disease-modifying or specific drug therapy — the basis of treatment | Well studied, recommended |
| Exercise therapy and physiotherapy | Reduces pain, strengthens muscles, improves function; the basis of treatment | Well studied, recommended |
| Corticosteroid injection | Quickly reduces inflammation and pain, the effect is often temporary; frequent injections are undesirable | Moderate evidence |
| Painkillers and NSAIDs | Ease pain during flare-ups; long-term use is limited by side effects | Moderate evidence |
| PRP / CGF | Concentrate from your own blood; may reduce pain, growth of new tissue has not been shown | Little data |
We send your request to several partner clinics. Some will suggest conservative treatment or injections, others surgery; each clinic quotes its own conditions and price. We help you compare the options.
Regenerative methods: realistic expectations
In inflammatory joint diseases the key is treating the cause with a rheumatologist: disease-modifying drugs for rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, lowering uric acid for gout. An intra-articular corticosteroid injection helps with a flare in a single joint. Regenerative injections do not affect the inflammatory process and have hardly been studied for these diagnoses.
When surgery is discussed. Surgery (synovectomy, joint replacement) is discussed for joint destruction or persistent synovitis despite drug treatment.
If an injection helps, the effect usually builds up over 6–12 weeks, and the result is assessed after 2–3 months. No clinic can guarantee a result.
Recovery and timelines
After an outpatient injection procedure, most patients return to normal activity within 1–3 days. Sport and heavy loads are resumed according to the physician’s plan, usually after 2–6 weeks, alongside therapeutic exercise. The effect is assessed after 6–12 weeks. After surgery, rehabilitation takes longer and depends on the operation.
Who it is not suitable for and possible risks
Contraindications
- Active infection — at the injection site or systemic, with fever.
- Active cancer or ongoing chemotherapy.
- Blood clotting disorders or a low platelet count. Anticoagulants are discussed with the physician.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding — the procedure is usually postponed.
- A corticosteroid injection into the same area in recent weeks.
- Severe stage IV osteoarthritis with axial deformity and joint destruction — joint replacement is usually discussed instead.
Possible risks
- Pain and swelling at the injection site for 1–3 days.
- Bruising where blood or fat tissue is taken.
- Rarely, infection. The procedure is therefore performed under sterile conditions with ultrasound or X-ray guidance.
- The effect may be absent or smaller than expected.
If any of these apply to you, mention it in your request. The coordinator will check with the clinic physician whether treatment is possible. Contact a coordinator.
Scientific evidence
Studies of regenerative methods show mixed results. Clinic physicians rely on research including the following:
- Smolen JS et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 2022 update. Ann Rheum Dis, 2023.
- Fraenkel L et al. 2021 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol, 2021.
Next: Treatment methods · Treatment costs · Contact a coordinator
Questions about Arthritis
RegenPAS is a patient service centre in Munich, not a clinic. We review your images and symptoms and send a request to several partner clinics at once. Clinics that can accept you send their own conditions and price; prices differ between clinics, and you choose the option that suits you. The coordinator replies within 24 hours, and a clinic physician’s preliminary opinion follows in 1–3 business days. We then arrange the appointment, visa invitation, interpreter, transfers and accommodation. Treatment decisions are made by the clinic physician. Contact a coordinator.
Your MRI (or CT, X-ray) report and the images if you have them, plus a short description of your symptoms and previous treatment. Send them via the form on the website — the assessment is free and without obligation: the coordinator replies within 24 hours, and the clinic physician’s preliminary opinion follows in 1–3 business days.
The cost depends on the method, the diagnostics needed and the clinic itself: prices differ between clinics. We request offers from several clinics and send you their conditions and quotes so you can compare. Price guidance is on the treatment cost page. For an outpatient procedure, 2–3 days in Munich are usually enough: examination, procedure and follow-up visit.