Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, commonly known as knee arthritis, is a condition where the cartilage, joint capsule, and synovial fluid responsible for protecting and lubricating the knee joint deteriorate, causing pain and inflammation. This condition can occur due to improper lifestyle habits and not just in older individuals, contrary to popular belief.

Symptoms of knee arthritis include chronic pain while moving or putting weight on the affected knee, swelling, stiffness, and creaking sounds during movement. In severe cases, the knee joint may become deformed, and the pain can spread to other areas of the leg, significantly limiting mobility.

There are several risk factors associated with knee arthritis, including old age, obesity, previous knee injuries, hormonal imbalances in women, and pre-existing bone and joint conditions. However, the condition can be managed and treated with a combination of medication, physical therapy, and, in severe cases, surgery. Whether or not surgery is necessary will depend on the severity of the condition and the individual case.

Prevention:

• Maintain a healthy body weight as the knee joint is responsible for bearing weight. The more weight the joint bears, the more quickly the bone around the knee joint wears out, leading to damage and weakness.

• Avoid using the knee joint in the wrong way, such as sitting cross-legged, kneeling, sitting for long periods, or standing for extended periods.

• Avoid excessive use of the knee joint, such as standing for long periods, going up and down stairs frequently, and lifting heavy objects.

• Strengthen the muscles around the knee joint as they are essential in supporting the joint and reducing the burden on the knee joint. However, if excessive force is applied to the knee joint, such as during sports that involve high-impact knee movements like running and jumping, it can lead to damage to the bone around the knee joint. Therefore, low-impact exercises that do not put pressure on the knee joint, such as yoga (which helps to strengthen the leg, knee, and calf muscles) and swimming (walking in water) or cycling, can help to strengthen the muscles around the knee joint.

• If there is an abnormality in the knee joint, it should be treated appropriately, such as treating gout or rheumatoid arthritis, or if there is an accident to the knee joint, such as a torn ligament or broken bone, it must be treated correctly until the knee returns to normal.

Treatment:

Knee osteoarthritis cannot be completely cured, but patients can manage and treat the condition based on the following:

• Take pain relievers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) when there is pain and inflammation.

• For overweight patients, weight loss can help reduce pressure on the knee joint.

• Engage in physical exercise or physiotherapy to reduce pain and strengthen the knee muscles.

• Use a knee brace to support the knee joint and relieve pain.

• Consider surgical treatment, such as knee replacement surgery, if the knee joint is severely damaged and the patient cannot walk or move properly.

• Steroid injections can be an option for those with mild-moderate osteoarthritis, however, injections should not exceed 4 times/year.

In cases of severe and malformed knee conditions, patients may choose to undergo knee replacement surgery, which may involve either replacing some parts of the joint (unicompartmental knee replacement) or replacing the entire joint (total knee replacement), depending on the severity of the disease. During the surgery, medical-grade materials such as metals or plastics may be used to reinforce the joint. These artificial knee joints have different lifespans.

Nowadays, patients who undergo knee replacement surgery can recover more quickly due to smaller incisions and less pain than traditional knee replacement surgery. The surgery typically takes two hours, and recovery time is only one week.

However, before undergoing the surgery, the doctor will conduct a thorough physical examination to ensure safety and accuracy in controlling pain during the surgery.

For cases where the knee is severely damaged and other methods have not worked, I recommend using the latest technique for knee replacement surgery. This involves making a small incision, cutting a small amount of muscle tissue, and using high-quality standard knee joints from America, without the need for suturing the incision. The wound will not become bruised.

Therefore, patients can recover quickly and can walk sooner after surgery. The wound will heal nicely, and the likelihood of complications is reduced.

Patients can resume their normal daily lives, travel, and improve their physical and mental health. Then, they will be healthy and active senior citizens.