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
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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.
What 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
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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)
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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 doctors 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.
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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 doctors 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.
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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.
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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.