While it’s gotten a lot of publicity, studies so far are limited to small groups of people. In a study of Maci involving 144 people, more than 87% of those who got Maci had improvement in symptoms over 2 years, compared with 68% who got a different cartilage-stimulating procedure called microfracture. A review published in 2016 in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders concluded that MSC-based therapies offer an “exciting possibility” for treatment, but further studies need to work out how they can best be used and how well they work. After the injection, monitor your knee for any signs of injection issues and contact your doctor if you have concerns. Removing excess fluid can provide relief from pain and discomfort.
Osteoarthritis is a common condition that affects the joints, particularly the knees. It is a degenerative disease characterized by the breakdown of the cartilage in the joint, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling. When it comes to treatment options for osteoarthritis of the knee joint, there are several strategies that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Pain, swelling and stiffness from cartilage damage and loss can make it difficult even to walk or climb stairs. And if you have a job that requires you to be on your feet and moving, worsening knee OA will make it difficult or impossible. By stage four, non-invasive treatments and lifestyle changes may not be enough. Your healthcare provider may recommend an osteotomy or bone realignment surgery to reduce pain. An early RCT by Clarke et al[117] in 1974 reported that use of ice packs for three weeks did not result in statistically significant or clinically important pain relief compared to the control group. Subsequently, Hecht et al[118] found that ten treatment sessions of cold pack application resulted in oedema reduction while hot packs did not.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Although there is no cure for knee arthritis, there are steps you can take that might ease your symptoms and potentially slow the progression of your disease. This can help relieve symptoms, and it is less invasive than total knee surgery. However, if you have OA of the knee, you may still find that you will need a total knee replacement in the future. For severe pain and inflammation, a doctor may inject glucocorticoids or corticosteroids directly into the joint. The ACR/AF do not recommend massage, manual therapy, or the use of transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) for OA of the knee. The research has not shown that these alternative therapies are beneficial.
The central study staff members of the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences meet bi-weekly. The persons responsible for the individual work packages meet as required during the course of the study. The participants’ data are pseudonymised and assigned a fixed identification code. This code is stored safely in a password-protected file, accessible only by the study coordinator (BW) and central staff members (SC, TA, EH). Thus, it is only possible for persons who are entrusted with the evaluation of the data to infer the identity of the participants.
1. Medications:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Prescription medications: such as corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid injections may be recommended for more severe cases.
In some cases, surgery may be required if all other treatment options have been tried. While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, the condition can be successfully self-managed in a number of cases. You may sometimes need to have a further examination to rule out other possible health conditions. The exact cause of osteoarthritis is unknown, however it’s likely that a combination of factors may contribute. Most people have frequent pain when moving, walking, or doing other activities that use the joints. Stiffness in the joints may be worse in the morning and after prolonged sitting.
To ensure data quality, the study coordinator controls the data at regular intervals, which includes a check of the range of values or double data entry. Results of all analyses are reported in an aggregated and strictly anonymous form. Quantitative data are stored and analysed via the statistical software package SPSS at servers of the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences. To be able to merge the data from the online questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and the blood sample data, a defined coding system is used. Therefore, central staff members (SC, TA) take part in every measurement and organise the participants and coding system. Hence, every participant gets their identification code for the anthropometric measurements and the blood samples and a personalised link including password for the online questionnaire via Limesurvey.
2. Physical therapy:
Physical therapy can help strengthen the muscles around the knee, improve flexibility, and reduce pain. A physical therapist can also teach exercises to improve balance and stability.
Surgical Treatments
1. Arthroscopic surgery:
This minimally invasive procedure involves removing damaged cartilage or smoothing out rough surfaces in the joint.
2. Partial or total knee replacement:
In severe cases where other treatments have failed, a surgeon may recommend partial or total knee replacement surgery to relieve pain and improve function.
Overall, the treatment approach for osteoarthritis of the knee joint will depend on the severity of symptoms and individual needs. It is important to work with a healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses pain, mobility, and overall joint health.
