Knee Arthritis Treatment
Knee arthritis treatment should begin with the most basic treatment and progress to the more advanced possibly including surgery if the condition is severe. Your doctor will determine the type of treatment to be used because certain treatments may not work sometimes especially if the condition is severe.
Your doctor may for example recommend weight loss. The knee is a weight-bearing joint and therefore excess weight puts increased stress and strain on this very joint. Joint damage is partly dependent on the amount of weight the joint has to support and therefore weight loss relieves the joints by reducing the amount of pressure exerted.
Physical therapy is another knee arthritis treatment. Strengthening the muscles around the joint may help to reduce the burden of the knee. Preventing atrophy of the muscles is crucial in maintaining the functional use of the knee. Flexibility and low impact exercise can help to reduce stiffness and joint pains. Activity modification such as limiting certain activities may also help to fight this condition. Cortisone injections can help reduce inflammation as well as the pain within the joint.
Anti-inflammatory pain medications such as NSAIDs can also help treat pain and inflammation. Walking aids such as a cane or a single crutch can help decrease the strain placed on the arthritic joint. Knee arthritis treatment may also involve partial or total knee replacement surgery if the joint is severely damaged. Partial surgery involves the replacement of one part of the knee. In total knee replacement, the cartilage is removed and replaced by a metal or a plastic implant.
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