How many people suffer from knee osteoarthritis! The problem of knee osteoarthritis is considered a common disease, and because this problem includes all age groups and is not specific to a specific age, it is treated by different means.

 

In the following article, we learn in more detail about the methods of treating knee osteoarthritis.

Methods of treating knee osteoarthritis

 

When we talk about knee osteoarthritis, we mean the presence of knee inflammation, which has led to the erosion of the cartilage between the thigh bones and the tibia, and thus the bones rub against each other.

 

Cartilage erodes when exposed to one of the following factors:

     Obesity and weight gain.

     Rheumatic diseases.

     Getting older.

     Genetic factor.

     Gender: Females are more susceptible to infection than men.

 

Treatment of knee Osteoarthritis

There are many methods used to treat knee osteoarthritis, the most prominent of which are the following:

Medical treatment by drugs

     Medications containing acetaminophen: These medications help patients who feel moderate to severe pain.

     Steroid-free anti-inflammatory drugs. The patient must refrain from taking these medications except after consulting a doctor so as not to cause him any serious heart problems or bleeding.

     Local analgesics, such as creams and ointments, aim to relieve swelling and pain in the knee.

 

Physiotherapy

The doctor schedules a number of sessions for the patient in the physical therapy clinic, which will strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints, increase their flexibility, and relieve pain in the knee.

Surgical treatment

If none of the above methods succeed in treating knee osteoarthritis, the doctor will eventually resort to surgical intervention, which includes the following:

 

     Sterile injections: The joint is injected with cortisone, which works to relieve the pain after the doctor numbs the surrounding area. It is necessary that cortisone injections into the knee do not exceed 3 to 4 times, as this would expose it to damage over time.

     Injection of oily substances: such as hyaluronic substance, which acts as a lubricant and reduces the friction between the femur and tibia.

     Knee joint replacement: The doctor recommends this method to patients who have a very high rate of wear and tear in the knee. The patient undergoes a procedure in which the damaged surface of the joint is removed and the doctor replaces it with metal or plastic parts.

 

Tests are necessary before treating knee osteoarthritis

As we have noted, the methods of treating knee osteoarthritis are varied and different. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct some tests to diagnose the patient’s condition and know which method is most capable of treatment. Among the most prominent medical examinations performed at the orthopedic doctor’s office are the following:

 

     X ray.

     Magnetic Resonance.

     Laboratory tests such as examining a blood sample and examining joint fluid.

 

How do we infer that knee osteoarthritis has been treated?

 

It can easily be known that the treatment has paid off when the symptoms resulting from knee osteoarthritis subside, which include the following:

 

     Feeling pain when doing activities that depend on the knee, such as standing or walking for a long time.

     Knee stiffness when waking up or starting to move.

     A sound is produced when the knee moves (clicking).

     Swelling of the knee due to inflammation of the cartilage fluid.

 

Finally, I hope that the article has fulfilled what you would like to know about treating knee osteoarthritis, and if you have more questions, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Ibrahim Jadu, consultant orthopedic and artificial joint surgeon.

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