Interview with Dr. Eberhard J. Wormer about osteoarthritis: "Stress, lack of exercise and an unhealthy lifestyle are the root causes"

"Movement, movement, movement! Lack of exercise is one of the biggest risk factors for arthrosis. (...) There are also other options: healthy nutrition, stress reduction and the use of substances that protect joints and regenerate cartilage." Dr. Eberhard J. Wormer , author of the compact guide " Arthrosis. Prevention and self-help for joint pain " , talks in an interview about the causes of cartilage loss and the most important prerequisites for keeping joints healthy.

What exactly is osteoarthritis?

Dr. Eberhard J. Wormer: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that occurs through "wear and tear". Osteoarthritis leads to a steadily increasing loss of joint cartilage: cartilage atrophy. The end result is the total loss of joint cartilage and its friction-reducing, shock-absorbing properties. Bone then meets bone in the joint.

Why do you think osteoarthritis is still not really curable?

Dr. Eberhard J. Wormer: What is used wears out. Completely replacing the lost cartilage would be a cure. Since this is not possible, osteoarthritis cannot really be cured. If a disease is caused by unavoidable wear and tear, the only option is prevention - or, as in the case of osteoarthritis, complete joint replacement.

If you can't cure osteoarthritis, you can at least alleviate it. What do you recommend to sufferers first?

Dr. Eberhard J. Wormer: Exercise, exercise, exercise! Lack of exercise is one of the biggest risk factors for arthrosis. To relieve severe acute joint pain, you can take a painkiller (e.g. Ibuprofen) for a maximum of four to five days. You can then remain relatively pain-free and mobile. There are other options: healthy eating, stress reduction and the use of substances that protect the joints and regenerate cartilage.

What particularly promotes the onset of these painful joint diseases and should therefore be avoided?

Dr. Eberhard J. Wormer: Stress, lack of exercise and an unhealthy lifestyle are the root causes. You should avoid these. Typical triggers are also incorrect lifting and carrying, monotonous movements and chronic joint strain.

Can osteoarthritis be described as a widespread disease? And is the number of osteoarthritis patients increasing in our modern society?

Dr. Eberhard J. Wormer: Up to the age of 65, one in three people suffers from osteoarthritis, and in old age the figure is two thirds. Since osteoarthritis affects everyone, the incidence of the disease increases as the population ages.

Since 2013, more and more artificial knee joints have been used in Germany. How do you explain this trend?

Dr. Eberhard J. Wormer: Because many of those affected in this country can afford joint replacement surgery. At least that is what the orthopedists say – and are surprised.

You have written a new book on this topic. Can you briefly describe the structure of your compact guide?

Dr. Eberhard J. Wormer: The guide deals exclusively with how you can prevent osteoarthritis symptoms. There is information on the topics of joints and joint functions, cartilage loss, osteoarthritis factors and the prevention of cartilage stress: exercise, stress reduction, healthy nutrition, functional food, joint protection (vital substances) and cartilage regeneration.

Is the book intended for prevention or does it also help patients who are already severely affected?

Dr. Eberhard J. Wormer: If you keep an eye on your joints, you can definitely prevent severe arthrosis symptoms. Patients with serious joint problems can also find useful and helpful information in this guide.

Book tip:
Dr. med Eberhard J. Wormer: Osteoarthritis (compact guide). Prevention and self-help for joint pain. Mankau Verlag 2018, paperback, full color, 11.5 x 16.5 cm, 127 pages, 8.99 euros (D) / 9.20 euros (A), ISBN 978-3-86374-468-7.

Link recommendations:
More information about the guidebook "Osteoarthritis. Prevention and self-help for joint pain"
To the reading sample in PDF format
More about the author Dr. Eberhard J. Wormer
To the discussion forum with Dr. med. Eberhard J. Wormer