Say  NO to Knee Arthritis

“The pain is unbearable” said Joanne to her her husband. Her knees were giving too much trouble, it was traumatic. She was feeling frustrated as she could not complete her daily chores and things were becoming more and more difficult. Joanne consulted the orthopaedic who   advised her for a Knee Replacement Surgery.

There  is  a  Joanne in 1 out of every 4 families. Knee problems can happen to anyone, it is not a virus and precaution in most cases can help us can help us to avoid knee troubles to a great extent.

For us to be able to help ourselves, we need to be aware of the following facts:

• What is Knee arthiritis

• What are the causes and symptoms

• What are the treatment options available

What is Knee arthiritis

Arthritis is the word used to describe inflammation of a joint. The most common cause of arthritis is due to wear and tear arthritis or osteoarthritis. Other cause of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, gout, infections, and other conditions.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of knee arthritis. It is also called wear-and-tear arthritis or degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive wearing away of the cartilage of the joint. Due to the protective cartilage being worn away by knee arthritis, bare bone is exposed within the joint.

Wht are the causes of Knee Arthritis

You are more likely prone to Knee arthritis if:

• Above 50 years of age

• Being overweight is a huge factor

• Trauma to the knee

• Meniscus tears or ligament damage

• Bone injury

• Hereditary, if it runs in your family

The most common symptoms of knee arthritis are:

• Pain with activities
• Limited range of motion
• Stiffness of the knee
• Swelling of the joint
• Tenderness along the joint
• A feeling the joint may "give out"
• Deformity of the joint (knock-knees or bow-legs)

If you feel any of the above symptoms or discomfort in your knees, you must not delay in consulting an orthopaedic and opt for a complete physical examination including X-Ray of your knee joints. There are various treatments available and  with the doctor’s help you have to find out which is most suitable to you.

What are the treatment options available ?

• Weight Loss: This  is the  one of the most important remedy , but least commonly performed treatments. If one manages to  lose the extra weight , the pressure on the knees will reduce resulting in less discomfort.
• Activity Modification:  Limiting certain activities may be necessary, and learning new exercise methods may be helpful. Aquatic exercise is an excellent option for patients who have difficulty exercising.
• Walking:  Walking is one of the most helpful exercises and has many  advantages. While walking, the use of a cane or a single crutch in the hand opposite the affected knee will help decrease pressure on the arthritic joint.
• Physical Therapy: Specialised therapy helps strengthening of the muscles around the knee joint and  decrease the burden on the knee. Preventing atrophy of the muscles is an important part of maintaining functional use of the knee.
• Anti-Inflammatory medicenes:Anti-inflammatory pain medications (NSAIDs) are prescription and nonprescription drugs that help treat pain and inflammation.

• Other measures may include applications of heat or ice, water exercises, liniments or elastic bandages.

Several types of drugs can be used in treating arthritis of the knee. Because every patient is different, and because not all people respond the same to medications, your orthopaedic surgeon will develop a program for your specific condition.

The above options are usually  sufficient during the early stages of Knee Arthritis. When the above options fail to provide much comfort then  the following injections and Supplements are available but which are to be taken only with the doctor’s prescription:

Cortisone Injections and Synvisc

• Cortisone Injections : Cortisone injections may help decrease inflammation and reduce pain within a joint.
• Synvisc : Synvisc may be effective against pain in some patients with knee arthritis and may delay the need for knee replacement surgery.
• Joint Supplements (Glucosamine) : Glucosamine appears to be safe and might be effective for treatment of knee arthritis, but research into these supplements has been limited.

If you are advised for Surgery, then the options available depending on your medical condition  are:

• Knee Arthroscopy: Again, all treatment options are not suitable for each patient and for  some specific symptoms, it may be helpful.
• Knee Osteotomy :While most patients are not good candidates for this alternative to knee replacement, it can be effective for young patients with limited arthritis.
• Total Knee Replacement Surgery : In this procedure the cartilage is removed and a metal & plastic implant is placed in the knee.
• Partial Knee Replacement Surgery: Also called a unicompartmental knee replacement, this is replacement of one part of the knee. It is a surgical option for the treatment of limited knee arthritis.

It is most important to pay attention to your health and when you do feel that you are developing Knee Arthritis, find a good Orthopaedic Surgeon  and consult him regularly so you can take the appropriate measures.

For treatment options, please contact us.

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