The conservative standard therapy includes medication up to 150 mg/day Diclofenac or 25

mg/day Rofecoxib according to the need of the patient. The duration of the medical treatment

is not restricted, but counted as treatment failure if medication is needed in the last three

weeks before measurement of the primary endpoint in week 26.

Each of the three treatment arms are completed by physical therapy (six physical therapy sessions,

e.g. isometric training of muscles, walking school, exercises with medical equipment).

All patients may receive orthopaedic modification of shoes and in case of gastrointestinal risk

Omeprazol (20 mg/day) or Misoprostol (4 x 200 mg/day). For all patients explicitly excluded

during the time of trial are intake of cortico-steroids, non-narcotic analgetics except Diclofenac

and Rofecoxib. Also not allowed are injections of any kind, moxibustion, cupping

and electro acupuncture

(aus: "http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/4/6" )