Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment

 

Despite a popular belief that osteoarthritis affects only certain demographics, people from all walks of life can be susceptible to the disease. Factors that contribute to its development include:

 

 

Joint Defects – Malformed or defective joints and cartilage may be present from birth, leading to osteoarthritis later in life.

 

Metabolic Disease – Hemochromatosis (excessive iron in the blood) and diabetes have been linked to a higher risk of the condition.

 

 

For a lot of people knee OA is a minor inconvenience and can be settled quickly with the right care. Without appropriate treatment, however, knee osteoarthritis can have negative effects on movement and subsequently quality of life, including:

 

Further Injury – A loss of dexterity, strength, and flexibility in the lower limbs means sufferers of knee osteoarthritis are up to 2.5 times more likely to experience a fall.

 

Weight Gain – An increase in weight can occur when osteoarthritis impedes regular exercise. As the joints are forced to bear a greater load, this unfortunately only compounds the condition.

 

Disability – If the associated pain becomes overwhelming, everyday activities such as cleaning, working, and even getting dressed can feel like impossible tasks4.

 

Fortunately there are a range of treatment options available to help manage the condition.

 

 

As with most bodily issues, early intervention is key to ensuring the best possible outcome for those with knee osteoarthritis. Depending on the severity of the pain, the following treatments may be employed:

 

Physiotherapy – Physiotherapy is often the first port of call for those diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, and with good reason.

 

A specialist practitioner can help stretch and strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee, thereby increasing mobility and reducing pain. Following appropriate patient education, such exercises can then be self-performed for lasting relief.

If weight loss is necessary, physiotherapists will also be able to guide the patient through additional low-impact aerobic activities5.

 

Focussed Shockwave Therapy – Focused shockwave therapy is a non-invasive procedure whereby acoustic energy is directed into damaged tissue via a small, handheld device.

 

It may sound a little odd to the uninitiated, but it’s shown great results in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. A study published in 2019 concluded that focused shockwave therapy significantly reduced pain and improved knee function among sufferers of the condition6. This finding was corroborated by a similar study a year later, which observed that it has “beneficial effects on cartilage, subchondral bone and surrounding tissues and can provide relief from chronic OA pain”7.

Medication and Injections – A number of medications and injections may be administered to help relieve the pain from knee osteoarthritis. These range from corticosteroids delivered directly into the joint, to orally-administered nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Surgery – Surgery can range from a keyhole ‘washout’, to a replacement of the joint altogether with a Total Knee Replacement.

Artificial knee joints provide pain relief and improved function, however rehabilitation is vital8. To best regain mobility and strength, rehabilitation with a physiotherapist is recommended after such a procedure.