Earlier this week, we discussed the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee. Today we will further investigate this condition by discussing the treatment options for osteoarthritis.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee includes a wide range of options, starting with lifestyle modifications, medications, and progressing to surgical management.
Always start simple. Change starts with the individual and is not magical. The most common first step is to lose excess weight so you are not stressing the joints. Change the type of activity you are doing from high impact to low impact exercise. Go from jogging to cycling and swimming, or try an elliptical. Walking is always a good alternative as well. Exercise maintains range of motion, flexibility, and health. Add in strengthening and function may also improve.
Medication Management
Medication management is the next level of care. Having a physician involved in this level is beneficial to prevent negative side affects. Natural substances you can take include:
- A combination of glucosamine and chondroitin. These are natural substances found in joints. If taken orally they are supposed to promote normal joint health. Scientific studies are mixed on whether they are truly helpful, but they rarely if ever would be harmful, if early in the disease, it may be worthwhile.
- Fish oil. This can help with joint lubrication.
Prescription level medication starts with acetaminophen, to aspirin and anti-inflammatories, to steroids and injectable compounds. Acetaminophen is only an analgesic and it treats pain. Aspirin and ibufrophen or naproxen, are a class of medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and can treat pain and swelling. These medications are stronger, may be taken orally and may be available as crèmes, but have many side affects and should be used with caution. Skin preparations however are very safe and may be extremely helpful.
Corticosteroids are very powerful anti-inflammatory hormones, and sometimes on a limited basis orally or as injections can be helpful in controlling pain and swelling for long periods of time. Lastly, viscosupplementation with injectable hyaluronic acid compounds is used to improve joint fluid production for periods of 3-6 months.
Surgical Options
End stage knee osteoarthritis can be treated surgically. Orthopedic surgeons can do several things from cleaning up and removing damaged tissue in the joint arthroscopically when appropriate, to replacing the knee joint. Surgical intervention is a consideration when the damage is severe, not responding to more conservative options, and otherwise when the patient is healthy enough to undergo surgery.
Osteoarthritis will occur eventually in all of us as we age. The key to control degeneration is to maintain good health habits. Keep your weight under control, excess weight will stress out your joints. Exercise, this will keep everything moving, and maintain your strength. Work with your doctor if more advanced treatments are needed.