Knee Arthritis Treatment in Nagpur

The treatment of knee arthritis typically involves a combination of conservative and medical approaches. Initially, doctors may recommend lifestyle modifications, such as weight management and physical therapy, to reduce strain on the knee joint. Medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help manage pain and inflammation. In more severe cases, injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid may provide relief. When conservative methods are insufficient, surgical options like knee arthroscopy or knee replacement may be considered to improve mobility and alleviate pain.

Symptoms include

• Pain- usually the pain is mild on climbing stairs or walking on irregular surface , but as the disease progresses the pain increases in intensity and later on pain at rest may also be present . Severe cases pain at night is common and patient has disturbed sleep.
• Stiffness of the joints– stiffness of the joint occurs eventually and mostly noticed while getting up from sitting position . Early morning stiffness is common.
• Tenderness– tenderness is pain on pressing a particular point joint like tenderness is present. Depending on the damage of cartilage on medial or lateral side tenderness may be present accordingly.
• Decreased range of motion– when the pain and stiffness becomes severe , range of motion decreases
• Swelling– in acute condition, swelling of the joint can be seen

Risk Factors

• Family history – arthritis run in families , those whose parents or siblings suffer from arthritis Are prone for this
• Age – usually occurs in old age , but may occur in young age in rare cases also
• Gender – female gender is said to have more chances of developing this arthritis

Previous joint injury

Obesity – increased weight of the patient will put more strain to the joint and hence more prone for osteoarthritis

Treatment

As it is a progressive disease , it requires a comprehensive approach towards management Each individual will respond differently to different types of treatment

Medications

Over the counter medicines – pain milers are available frequently , may help in reducing the pain initially but may not help in reducing the infammation in the joint . Acelofeanc , paracetamol , tramadol are few medicines taken frequently
These medicines may help in pain relief initially but later on the side effects will predominate and regular intake is not recommended.
Counter-irritants – creams and ointments May give some relief by counter irritating the joints This is also not a permanent treatment and gives initial treatment

Physical therapy

Specific physical excercises for the joint to strengthen the muscles around the joint is of prime importance . This will increase the flexibility of the joint and will decrease the stiffness is the joint .
The excercises should be specific for each individual based on body type , age , regular activities .
Occupational therapy – occupational therapy to alter your daily activities and task so as to perform it properly without stressing on the joint more .

Surgical interventions

Joint replacements was done very frequently until few years back . The original damaged joint is removed and a metallic joint is put into the body . If Complications occur to replacement therapy then it is difficult to treat it again

Non surgical interventions

Viscosuplementations – it is done to provide a jelly fluid in the joint which will prevent the friction between two bones. Injection of hayluronic acid is given whose composition is similar to the composition of the fluid inside the joint . Usually this will work between 3montns to one year This can be repeated again once the pain starts
Cortisone injection – cortisone is a medication injected in the joint to decrease the pain by decreasing the inflammation. It’s a temporary method of decreasing pain

Non surgical treatment

Radiofrequency ablation of the joint can be done under fluoroscopic and ultrasound guidance . It will decrease the pain signals from the joint to be carried to the brain . It is done using Radiofrequency machine and after identifying the target nerves , Radiofrequency waves are given to dampen the pain signals
This is a permanent treatment, done as day care procedure without any complications
The results are similar to the replacement surgery
How to take care of your joint Excercises to be done as advised by a physical therapist Avoid taking pain killers Weight reduction Heat and cold therapies in severe pain Braces may help in case where excessive movements is required TENS therapy – resistant cases this therapy may help but for short term only