Osteoarthritis of the knee

Osteoarthritis knee - Introduction

In the knee joint like any other joint end of the hard bone is covered by a soft bone called cartilage.

The soft bone or cartilage protects and cushions the joint.

In osteoarthritis the soft bone breaks down and the hard bone surface rubs against each other, this causes the pain.
In addition to the soft bone damage, the joint lining, ligaments and surrounding bone also get affected in the osteoarthritis.
At present there is no treatment that can reverse the damage of joints in osteoarthritis

CAUSES OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

Obesity

Heredity

Increase in age

Women over 50 years

Previous Knee trauma

Repetitive stress injury to knee

Participation in high impact in sports

Septic arthritis and metabolic disorder

SYMPTOMS

Pain
Stiffness
Muscle weakness
Deformity of the joint
Reduced range of motion
Creaking and cracking

HOW IT IS DIAGNOSED

1.      Depend on the clinical findings (Tender, swollen, deformed joints, muscle weakness, cracking sounds)

2.      X-ray of the Knee joint

HOW IT IS TREATED

1.      Using pain reliving medicines

2.      Heat or cold application

3.      Weight reduction

4.      Exercises to strengthen the      surrounding muscle

5.      Assistive devices

        I.          Knee support

        II.          Walking stick

        III.          Shoe inserts

6.      Application of pain relieving medications

7.      Supplements – calcium, vitamin D, Glucosamine, Omega 3 fatty acids

8.      Viscosupplement Injections to the joint

9.      Joint replacement surgery

SELF MANAGEMENT OF ARTHRITIS

·        Understand the disease

·        Reduce pain while remaining active

·        Cope physically, emotionally and mentally

·        Have greater control over the disease.

·        Build confidence to live an active independent life.