Managing Osteoarthritis of Knee

Note: Never be your doctor, always discuss with professionals before initiating any medical plan.

Osteoarthritis is a disease of ageing, a normal wear and tear process. Contrary to mainstream views, I trust, body has enough resilience to recover and bounce back. However, tailoring to age specific and relevant activities help significantly in avoiding any aggressive surgical options. Currently, there is significant impetus towards minimally invasive surgery and if possible, one should explore those.

Agreed, Osteoarthritis of knee is a disease of ageing but ‘Obesity’ is the single most important risk factor. Other contributing factors are sedentary habits and disuse of certain muscle groups and eventual imbalance.

Evaluating the stage of osteoarthritis is important and management depends upon the stage of destruction.

A comprehensive plan will include working on below options –

• Exercise
• Physical Therapy
• Modify Your Activities
• Weight Control
• Self-Help/Assistive Devices
• Heat and Cold Treatments
• Nutritional Supplements
• Over-The-Counter Medications
• Injections

Summarily –

Weight reduction –

1. Salt sugar restriction, and
2. Accentuated calorie burning from active exercise

Physiotherapy:

To evaluate Consistent or Progressive Foot Progression Angle.

1. Identify muscles that are in disuse atrophy. This creates imbalance and accentuates arthritis. Start fixing those muscles with proper advice from Physiotherapist.
2. Postural training.
3. Gait training

Heat Application

Nutritional supplements such as

1. Glucosamine-chondroitin supplements
2. Turmeric, Ginger (oral when low grade to moderate, topical when severe)
3. Babul ka goond
4. Vitamin C
5. Krill Oil

Arthroscopy is invasive

Evaluating knee joint fluid helps. Since arthroscopy is considered, also discuss injecting Glucosamine in the joint fluid and possible steroids if inflammation is exuberant.

Avoid NSAID’s:

As best as possible, avoid taking NSAID’s. If you have pain, take Tylenol (Paracetamol).

Additional Reading:

(Click the link for additional reading)

When Bones Collide

Treatment of Osteoarthritis: Stanford University

18 ways to keep your joints healthy (https://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/better-living-ra-17/active/slideshow-keep-joints-healthy)

https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/bones-joints-and-muscles/osteoarthritis/treatments.html

https://drsarahbrewer.com/the-9-best-supplements-for-knee-pain

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/swollen-knee/basics/treatment/con-20026072

http://www.synviscone.com/what-is-synvisc-one.aspx

https://med.stanford.edu/clinicaltrials/trials/NCT01397981

https://med.stanford.edu/clinicaltrials/trials/NCT02767570