Osteoarthritis can develop over just a year or two, but more often it’s a slow process over many years that only causes fairly small changes in just part of the knee. Osteoarthritis can affect anyone at any age, but it’s more common in women over 50. A joint is a part of the body where two or more bones meet – in your knee, it’s the thigh and shin bones. There is also a small bone at the front of the knee called the patella or kneecap. You should discuss all of the treatment options for pre-OA with your healthcare provider. Avoiding injury, overuse, and damage to your joints could prevent the progression of OA.
Talk to your doctor to determine if any of these treatment options are right for you. If you have joint pain or stiffness that doesn’t go away, make an appointment with your doctor. While they do so, they can also repair an injury or clean out debris, such as bone fragments, from the joint to better preserve healthy joint tissue. The ACR/AF do not recommend using opioid drugs, as there is a risk of developing a dependency. However, if the other medicines do not work, a doctor may eventually prescribe an opioid.
Dealing with osteoarthritis in my knee has been a challenging journey, but understanding the condition and how to manage it has been crucial for maintaining my quality of life.
Stage 2 OA of the knee is considered a mild stage of the condition. However, they do note that supervised exercise (as in physical therapy or a fitness class) produces better outcomes than unsupervised exercise. Some braces will keep your knee locked into place or allow it to bend and recover after injury or surgery. Apart from keeping an eye on your weight, there are a number of other ways you can reduce the strain on your knees. A Baker’s cyst is fluid-filled swelling at the back of the knee that happens when part of the joint lining bulges through a small tear in the joint capsule.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
Individuals experiencing osteoarthritis in their knees may notice symptoms such as:
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that worsens over time, often resulting in chronic pain. Joint pain and stiffness can become severe enough to make daily tasks difficult. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time.
- Joint pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Difficulty moving the knee
Treatment Options
These exercises help improve strength to quash inside knee pain and prevent it from returning. PRP injections are developed by extracting blood from a person, then separating out the plasma, which is rich in platelets, from other parts through centrifugation. The concentration of platelets in the new mixture can be 5 to 10 times richer than in normal blood. Researchers say the shots promote healing and lessen inflammation, which should reduce pain and swelling. Your doctor may send you to an orthotist, a health care professional who makes and fits braces and splints for people with bone, joint, muscle, and ligament problems. Your doctor or the orthotist will let you know when to wear your knee brace and show you how to put it on and take it off.
Managing osteoarthritis in the knee involves a combination of treatments that may include:
- Physical therapy
- Medications
- Injections
- Surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can osteoarthritis in the knee be prevented?
A: While it cannot always be prevented, maintaining a healthy weight and staying active can help reduce the risk.
Q: Is surgery the only treatment option for severe osteoarthritis in the knee?
A: No, surgery is typically considered after other conservative treatments have not provided relief.
Living with osteoarthritis in my knee has taught me the importance of patience and perseverance in managing a chronic condition. By working closely with healthcare professionals and staying informed about available treatment options, it is possible to lead a fulfilling life despite the challenges posed by the condition.
