Treatments and conditions

Our bodies’ ability to recover properly becomes increasingly challenging as we age. This is referred to as degeneration. The tissues that make up the joints that are utilized the most throughout one’s life, such as the hips and knees, are among the first to be impacted by this phenomena. Osteoarthritis is a common disease, which shows its severity.

 

The cartilaginous surfaces (menisci) that cover and protect the joint’s pressure points deteriorate, exposing the knee’s bony surfaces, which are more painful than cartilage.

 

Of course, none of this comes without cost. Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, is an imbalance that comes with its own set of problems. It is, in fact, the most common cause of knee discomfort in adults over 50. Science and technology, on the other hand, have joined forces to help people with osteoarthritis, with the goal of lowering symptoms and, above all, improving their quality of life.

 

Médicus encourages you to learn more about this ailment in this article, as well as the numerous treatment options available.

 

 

 

What Are the Causes of Knee Osteoarthritis?

While several variables contribute to the development of knee osteoarthritis (also known as gonarthrosis), age is certainly the most important condition for its beginning. However, the wear and tear of the cartilage remains the root of the problem. This wear and tear is produced by a variety of reasons, including pressure from long-term loading, obesity, postural problems, inheritance, and more.

 

At this time, there is no way to “cure” osteoarthritis. There are, however, pain treatment alternatives that help alleviate discomfort and improve the knee joint’s natural function.

 

Let’s check whether your symptoms match up with the most prevalent signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis.

 

 

 

The Signs and Symptoms of Gonarthrosis

The first step in developing an effective treatment strategy for knee osteoarthritis is to recognize the symptoms. Patients with osteoarthritis commonly have pain that worsens after physical activity (walking, moving up or down stairs, etc.) or after a period of immobility (at night, for example).

 

Although the signs and symptoms of knee osteoarthritis differ from person to person, the most prevalent symptoms are pretty consistent. In identified individuals, stiffness, discomfort, inflammation, and a restricted range of motion of the afflicted joint are particularly common.

 

More information about these symptoms can be found here:

Joint stiffness: You may have noticed that your knee feels stiff after sitting for a long time or when you first wake up in the morning. To put it another way, you can’t move it around as freely as you’d like. After 20 to 30 minutes, the stiffness usually goes away.

Swelling: The tissues of the joint are spongy, warm, and sometimes significantly swollen when touched. Inflammation causes fluid to build up in the joint, which produces swelling.

Joint pain is more acute than stiffness when your knee is subjected to higher or less intensive stress. Then, when you’re at ease, you’ll feel better. Genetics, the quality of peripheral tissues (muscles, ligaments, etc.), food, and even mood can all influence how much pain you experience.

Typical feelings and crackles: Patients frequently report a “creaking” sensation in their knee bones. In addition, patients with osteoarthritis have more audible crackles than typical.

Instability and joint dysfunction: You may notice that your knee does not bend as far as it should. It could also be that it isn’t responding to your orders as well as it formerly did. Peripheral joints, such as the hips and ankles, may also show signs of instability or dysfunction as a result of compensating for your discomfort. Patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee frequently develop ankle weakness, hip pain, and other joint abnormalities.

 

 

How To Deal With Knee Osteoarthritis Pain

Different methods for treating the pain of this inflammatory pathology can be utilized depending on the patient, his lifestyle, his age, but most importantly, the progression of his knee osteoarthritis. Médicus offers three proven methods for relieving and preventing the aggravation of knee osteoarthritis pain:

 

 

 

Small alterations to one’s way of life

It is generally recognized that a patient’s lifestyle behaviors have an impact on the management of his symptoms if he has knee osteoarthritis.

 

A low-impact movement on the joints is a good technique to relieve pain and improve mobility in a gonarthrosis-affected knee. Swimming and balloon exercises are two examples of low-impact workouts that can assist improve the condition of the joint’s tissues.

 

Furthermore, because our knees absorb so much weight throughout our movements, being overweight does not help alleviate the pain produced by osteoarthritis. For overweight persons, a supervised weight loss program is a viable option. It’s also worth noting that this has a favorable impact not only on the right management of symptoms associated with knee osteoarthritis, but also on overall health!

 

 

 

Wearing a foot orthosis

A foot orthosis is a custom-made device that is worn underneath the foot in the shoe. Its main goal is to alleviate discomfort by lowering pressure. The loads are shifted in a more favorable fashion to the lower limb joints in this way. As a result, for many people with gonarthrosis, a foot orthosis is an excellent pain management alternative.

 

 

 

The usage of a knee brace is recommended.

The purpose of a knee orthosis is to improve the space between the knee’s bone surfaces. Finally, the friction between these extremities is reduced, which is at the root of the pain associated with knee osteoarthritis.

 

 

 

Don’t be unsure.

The discomfort of osteoarthritis of the knee can quickly become incapacitating for the patient. The good news is that expert-developed solutions are available on the market. Solutions that are both effective and practical!

 

Consult a competent orthotist to determine which treatments are most appropriate.