Osteoarthritis Treatment
When a patient receives a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis, the initial approach involves identifying strategies to minimize activities that trigger symptoms. If surgical intervention is deemed necessary, Dr. Ravi Teja explores various techniques, tailoring the treatment plan to the disease’s progression.
While total joint replacement is commonly associated with osteoarthritis treatment, a majority of patients can postpone or entirely avoid joint replacement through alternative arthroscopic joint preservation methods. Arthroscopic procedures for osteoarthritis offer effective solutions, including cleansing the irritated joint lining, addressing meniscal tears, smoothing cartilage surfaces, and eliminating restrictive bone spurs. Dr. Ravi Teja specializes in a range of advanced osteoarthritis treatments:
Joint Lining Cleansing:
Arthroscopic removal of the irritated joint lining to alleviate discomfort.Meniscal Tear Repair:
Addressing meniscal tears through arthroscopic techniques for enhanced joint function.Cartilage Surface Smoothing:
Employing arthroscopy to smooth cartilage surfaces and improve knee mobility.Bone Spur Removal:
Removing limiting bone spurs arthroscopically to restore optimal knee motion.DISEASES & CONDITIONS
Arthritis of the Knee
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. Pain, swelling, and stiffness are the primary symptoms of arthritis. Any joint in the body may be affected by the disease, but it is particularly common in the knee.
Knee arthritis can make it hard to do many everyday activities, such as walking or climbing stairs. It is a major cause of lost work time and a serious disability for many people.
The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but there are more than 100 different forms. While arthritis is mainly an adult disease, some forms affect children.
Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are many treatment options available to help manage pain and keep people staying active.
Anatomy
The knee is the largest and strongest joint in your body. It is made up of the lower end of the femur (thighbone), the upper end of the tibia (shinbone), and the patella (kneecap). The ends of the three bones that form the knee joint are covered with articular cartilage, a smooth, slippery substance that protects and cushions the bones as you bend and straighten your knee.
Two wedge-shaped pieces of cartilage called meniscus act as “shock absorbers” between your thighbone and shinbone. They are tough and rubbery to help cushion the joint and keep it stable.
The knee joint is surrounded by a thin lining called the synovial membrane. This membrane releases a fluid that lubricates the cartilage and reduces friction.
Description
The major types of arthritis that affect the knee are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and posttraumatic arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the knee. It is a degenerative, wear-and-tear type of arthritis that occurs most often in people 50 years of age and older, although it may occur in younger people, too.
In osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the knee joint gradually wears away. As the cartilage wears away, it becomes frayed and rough, and the protective space between the bones decreases. This can result in bone rubbing on bone and produce painful bone spurs.
Osteoarthritis usually develops slowly, and the pain it causes worsens over time.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that attacks multiple joints throughout the body, including the knee joint. It is symmetrical, meaning that it usually affects the same joint on both sides of the body.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the synovial membrane that covers the knee joint begins to swell. This results in knee pain and stiffness.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This means that the immune system attacks its own tissues. The immune system damages normal tissue (such as cartilage and ligaments) and softens the bone.
Posttraumatic Arthritis
Posttraumatic arthritis is form of arthritis that develops after an injury to the knee. For example, a broken bone may damage the joint surface and lead to arthritis years after the injury. Meniscal tears and ligament injuries can cause instability and additional wear on the knee joint which, over time, can result in arthritis.
Symptoms
A knee joint affected by arthritis may be painful and inflamed. Generally, the pain develops gradually over time, although sudden onset is also possible. There are other symptoms, as well:
Doctor Examination
During your appointment, your doctor will talk with you about your symptoms and medical history, conduct a physical examination, and possibly order diagnostic tests, such as X-rays or blood tests.
During the physical examination, your doctor will look for:
Your doctor may also recommend blood tests to determine which type of arthritis you have. With some types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, blood tests will help with a proper diagnosis.
Treatment
There is no cure for arthritis but there are a number of treatments that may help relieve the pain and disability it can cause.
As with other arthritic conditions, initial treatment of arthritis of the knee is nonsurgical. Your doctor may recommend a range of treatment options.
Lifestyle modifications. Some changes in your daily life can protect your knee joint and slow the progress of arthritis.
Physical therapy. Specific exercises can help increase range of motion and flexibility, as well as help strengthen the muscles in your leg. Your doctor or a physical therapist can help develop an individualized exercise program that meets your needs and lifestyle.
Assistive devices. Using devices such as a cane, or wearing a brace or knee sleeve can be helpful. A brace assists with stability and function, and it may be especially helpful if the arthritis is centered on one side of the knee. There are two types of braces that are often used for knee arthritis: An “unloader” brace shifts weight away from the affected portion of the knee, while a “support” brace helps support the entire knee load. Placing wedges in your shoe is not recommended for relieving knee discomfort.
Other remedies. Applying heat or ice, or wearing elastic bandages to provide support to the knee may provide some relief from pain.
Medications. Several types of drugs are useful in treating arthritis of the knee. Because people respond differently to medications, your doctor will work closely with you to determine the medications and dosages that are safe and effective for you.
Alternative therapies. Many alternative forms of therapy are unproven, but may be helpful to try, provided you find a qualified practitioner and keep your doctor informed of your decision. Alternative therapies to treat pain include the use of acupuncture, magnetic pulse therapy, platelet-rich plasma, and stem cell injections.
Acupuncture uses fine needles to stimulate specific body areas to relieve pain or temporarily numb an area. Although it is used in many parts of the world and evidence suggests that it can help ease the pain of arthritis, there are few scientific studies of its effectiveness. Be sure your acupuncturist is certified, and do not hesitate to ask about his or her sterilization practices.
Magnetic pulse therapy is painless and works by applying a pulsed signal to the knee, which is placed in an electromagnetic field. Like many alternative therapies, magnetic pulse therapy has yet to be proven.
Biologic treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell injections involve taking cells from your own body and re-injecting them into a painful joint.
While both treatments show promise, clinical studies have yet to confirm their value in treating osteoarthritis.
Your doctor may recommend surgery if your pain from arthritis causes disability and is not relieved with nonsurgical treatment. As with all surgeries, there are some risks and possible complications with different knee procedures. Your doctor will discuss the possible complications with you before your operation.
Arthroscopy. During arthroscopy, doctors use small incisions and thin instruments to diagnose and treat joint problems.
Arthroscopic surgery is not often used to treat arthritis of the knee. In cases where osteoarthritis is accompanied by a degenerative meniscal tear, arthroscopic surgery may be recommended to treat the torn meniscus.
Cartilage grafting (cartilage restoration). Normal, healthy cartilage tissue may be taken from another part of the knee or from a tissue bank to fill a hole in the articular cartilage. This procedure is typically considered only for younger patients who have small areas of cartilage damage.
Synovectomy. The joint lining damaged by rheumatoid arthritis is removed to reduce pain and swelling.
Osteotomy. In a knee osteotomy, either the tibia (shinbone) or femur (thighbone) is cut and then reshaped to relieve pressure on the knee joint. Knee osteotomy is used when you have early-stage osteoarthritis that has damaged just one side of the knee joint. By shifting your weight off the damaged side of the joint, an osteotomy can relieve pain and significantly improve function in your arthritic knee.
Total knee replacement or partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement (arthroplasty). Your doctor will remove the damaged cartilage and bone, and then position new metal or plastic joint surfaces to restore the function of your knee.
Recovery
After any type of surgery for arthritis of the knee, there is a period of recovery. Recovery time and rehabilitation depends on the type of surgery performed.
Your doctor may recommend physical therapy to help you regain strength in your knee and to restore range of motion. Depending upon your procedure, you may need to wear a knee brace, or use crutches or a cane for a time.
In most cases, surgery relieves pain and makes it possible to perform daily activities more easily.
To assist doctors in the nonsurgical and surgical management of knee osteoarthritis, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has conducted research to provide some useful guidelines. These are recommendations only and may not apply to every case. For more information: Plain Language Summary – Clinical Practice Guideline – The Management of Knee Osteoarthritis (Surgical and Nonsurgical) and Surgical Management of Osteoarthritis of the Knee – Clinical Practice Guideline | American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (aaos.org)
Are you experiencing osteoarthritis treatment?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Understand the characteristics of osteoarthritis and distinguish it from other types of arthritis.
Explore the common signs that may indicate the presence of osteoarthritis and its impact on joint health.
Learn about the factors that may contribute to the development or progression of osteoarthritis.
Explore conservative approaches, such as medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes, for managing osteoarthritis symptoms.
Understand the circumstances under which surgery may be considered and the various surgical treatments available for osteoarthritis.
Gain insights into the role of joint injections, such as corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid, in alleviating pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Explore emerging treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stem cell therapy and their potential benefits for osteoarthritis patients.
Understand the importance of physical activity and specific exercises in maintaining joint health and managing osteoarthritis.
Learn about dietary modifications, weight management, and other lifestyle adjustments that may positively impact osteoarthritis management.
Explore the current state of research and potential future advancements in the field of osteoarthritis treatment options.
Conclusion:
At Dr. Ravi Teja’s clinic, we are dedicated to understanding, diagnosing, and treating Osteoarthitis Treatment effectively. If you’re ready to take the next step towards relief, feel free to initiate a consultation through X-ray and MRI reviews or schedule an in-person visit. We look forward to guiding you on your journey to improved knee health.