Complex Āyurvedic Treatment in Osteoarthritis of the Knee Compared to Standard Care.

Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female patients, * Age 40-70 years, * Prediagnosed, confirmed and documented diagnosis of OA of the knee. Diagnosis performed by a medical specialist (orthopedic surgeon, surgeon, radiologist) according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria, * Documented radiologic changes of the knee-joint Kellgren-Lawrence criteria \> or = grade 2 in conventional X-ray or MRI-scan, * Mean average pain intensity of 40 or more on two 100 mm visual analogue scales in the 7 days before baseline assessment, * Written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Pain in the knee caused by oCongenital dysplasia of the affected knee oRheumatoid arthritis oAutoimmune diseases oMalignancies oStatus post Knee surgery oStatus post Arthroscopy * Administration of chondroprotective drugs in the preceding 3 months, * Intra-articular injection into the affected knee-joint during the preceding 3 months, * Beginning of a systemic medication with corticosteroids within the preceding three months, * Beginning of any new treatment for OA during the previous 4 weeks (with the exception of analgesic treatment with Paracetamol or NSAIDs), * Pregnancy or breastfeeding, * Acute mental disorders, * Serious acute organic diseases, * Serious chronic co-morbidity, * Obesity WHO-grade II/III * Blood coagulation disorders, * Coagulation-inhibiting medication other than Aspirin and Clopidogrel, * Invasive measures performed at the affected joint during the previous 12 weeks or planned within the following 12 month, * In the process of applying for pension or disability benefits, * Simultaneous participation in any other clinical trial, * Participation in a clinical trial during the 6 month before inclusion into this trial, * Missing of the written informed consent form.