The invention relates to the use of collagen for the production of a drug for the treatment of degenerative articular processes. An injection suspension is preferably produced, which contains collagen and possibly a local anaesthetic. This injection suspension is applied into the affected joints by means of an injection.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/050,184, filed May 3, 1993 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,918, which is a 371 of PCT Application Serial No. PCT/DE92/00629, Jul. 28, 1992, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. P41524007, filed Jul. 31, 1991.
The invention provides methods for treating post-surgical articular or incisional pain and/or discomfort in a patient. The invention further provides improved surgical methods and controlled release formulations for treating an articular injury of a joint in a patient, in which a collagen formulation is used in conjunction with a surgical procedure to treat the articular injury or the side effects of the surgical procedure. Collagen formulations of the invention and their use, in addition to the surgical procedure, may provide at least one or more of the following benefits: reduced patient pain, shortened recovery time and/or improved joint condition (including treatment of the underlying articular injury). Moreover, the methods and compositions of the invention can be used in conjunction with essentially any surgical procedure used to treat an articular injury. The invention further provides compositions and methods for treating post-surgical articular or incisional pain in a patient as well as a catheter for use in the methods of the invention.
