What Are My Treatment Options For Knee Arthritis?

Millions of people are affected every year by arthritis. Typically it’s a result of normal again with simple wear and tear degenerative osteoarthritis accumulating over a period of years and at a certain point begins bothering a person chronically.

Other causes of knee arthritis may include acute trauma. This may occur from a motor vehicle accident, mountain biking, sports injury, etc. A cartilage injury may result or a soft tissue injury which can result in arthritis at an early age.

Additional generators of arthritis include more chronic exercise activities such as jogging. There may also be weight bearing or sporting activities in this category rather than non weight bearing activities like swimming or cycling.

What treatment options exist for the millions dealing with knee arthritis? Three objectives exist when dealing with arthritis of the knee.

1) Relieve the pain

2) Stop the arthritis and maybe reverse it

3) Avoid an Operation!

Typical onset of knee arthritis pain is insidious. Most people say “Where did this come from?” Initial treatment typically consists of over the counter medications such as acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and naproxen. These can be taken on an as needed basis and should not exceed manufacturer dosing recommendations. Narcotic medications may be utilized for short term exacerbations, however, chronic usage brings with it several side effects. Two medications that can potentially alter the course of arthritis are glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Both are available over the counter and typically formulated together for optimal effect.

The 2nd option for treatment is called activity avoidance. For example, if you are an expert skier frequenting black diamond slopes and starting to have painful arthritis, shifting to easier slopes may make skiing tolerable. If you are a frequent jogger and it becomes painful from knee arthritis, then shifting to cross training activities like cycling or swimming may make activities tolerable.

Physical therapy consists of strengthening the muscles around the knee in an effort to offload the stresses on the knee itself. This may decrease pain considerably and may allow the patient to either avoid surgery or substantially lengthen the time needed for a total joint replacement. Total joint replacements are not designed to last forever, so avoiding an eventual revision in 15 years or so is optimal.

Using a cane can unload 60% of the weight from a person’s knee. There are also knee braces called unloaders which can take significant pressure off the arthritic region of the knee causing pain. There are 3 “compartments” of the knee which can produce arthritis If a person has arthritis predominantly in one compartment, the unloader can be very effective.

Two types of injections are common for knee arthritis. The most common is cortisone, which bathes the arthritic knee with an anti-inflammatory solution for pain relief which may last for months and can be repeated. Cortisone doesn’t alter the arthritis disease, but it does control symptoms.

Hyaluronic acid injections, like Synvisc, provide a lubricating substance to the knee and can also make the knee produce its own lubrication. Pain relief may be provided for a year. Stem cells are a new promising injection substance, which could alter arthritis and make the knee produce cartilage.

Learn more about pain management doctors in Arizona. Stop by Preferred Pain Center’s site where you can find out all about ourArizona pain center and what it can do for you.