Summary:
An overview of pharmacological and surgical approaches aiming to preserve the articular cartilage and prevent
progression of degeneration during osteoarthrosis (OA) is given. From the pharmacological approaches the most
promising appears to be glucosaminosulphate from the SYSADOA group. Also preparations affecting the bone
metabolism as calcitonin and biosulphates are tested. Along with it some biological curatives blocking the activity
of IL-1, TNF-a, MMP, and NO are experimentally used. They have been parenterally administered, however, the
gene therapy enabling transfer of the genetic information by means of retroviruses directly into the joint and synthesis
of the target proteins in situ becomes clinically tested. From the surgical approaches aimed to preserve the articular
cartilage several methods are currently tested: joint debridment, transplantation of the soft components, transplan-
tation of the cartilage grafts and some experimental methods.
Key words:
osteoarthritis, structure modifying treatment, surgical therapy.
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