OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE
Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects the joints, causing pain and stiffness. It’s by far the most common form of joint disease, and the knee is one of the most commonly affected joints.
A NORMAL JOINT:
A joint is formed by two bones. The end of each bone is covered with cartilage which has a smooth, slippery surface that allows the ends of the bones to move against each other almost without friction. When a joint develops osteoarthritis, some of the cartilage covering the ends of the bones gradually roughens and becomes thin and the knee develops swelling and pain.
THE SYMPTOMS:
*Pain
*Stiffness
*A grating or grinding sensation when the joint moves (crepitus)
*Bony swelling
*Excess joint fluid (sometimes)
*Restricted movement
*Joint instability
*Weakness and thinning of thigh muscle
THE CURE:
There’s no cure for osteoarthritis as yet, but there’s a lot that you can do to improve your symptoms.
*Lose weight if you’re overweight
*Exercise regularly (both muscle-strengthening and general aerobic exercise)
REDUCING STRESS ON THE AFFECTED JOINT
*Break the harder jobs up into chunks and do something more gentle in between
*Use a walking stick/walker
*Use the handrail for support when going up or down stairs
*Don’t keep your knee still in a bent position for too long
*Modify your home, car or workplace to reduce unnecessary strain
*Wear appropriate low-heeled footwear
*Shoes with soft, thick soles (joggers) Apply heat or ice packs
*Use painkillers or anti-inflammatory creams, gels and tablets
What treatments are there?
If you still have pain after trying self-help measures, seek help from a RHEUMATOLOGIST. He/She would examine you and may advise you to go for an X-ray. (It is not always required)
A rheumatologist may recommend the following treatments:
*Capsaicin cream
*Stronger painkillers
*Steroid injections into the painful joint
*Surgery, including joint replacement
BEWARE: Always follow your rheumatologist’s advice for proper dose and duration of medicine.