OSTEOARTHRITIS - MANAGEMENT

Non-Pharmacological:

• Weight loss – Excess body weight puts more strain on the knee joints. A typical vicious cycle exists: (1) Overweight person develops knee osteoarthritis (2) painful knees reduce mobility (3) with reduced mobility, more weight is gained (4) more weight worsens the arthritis.

• Regular exercise – regular aerobic, strengthening and range of motion exercises help strengthen muscles that stabilize the joints,

• Adequate intake of Calcium and Vitamin D for bone strength.

• Warm soaks and heat packs to help relief pain.

• Avoid excessive walking during periods of acute pain.

• Orthoses and walking aids – splints and braces help with joint alignment and weight redistribution. Walking frames and crutches help take load away from the arthritic knee.

• Physiotherapy

• Acupuncture

Pharmacological Measures:

• Pain-killers – paracetamol-based medication,

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) etc.

• Glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate.

• Topical rubs with NSAIDS or capsaicin.

• Intra-articular joint injections by a doctor

Surgical Treatment:

• Joint lavage (wash out) and arthroscopic debridement (clearing)

• Osteotomy – a wedge of bone located near the damaged joint is removed to realign the knee. This causes a shift of weight from the area of damaged cartilage to the area where there is more healthy cartilage.

• Total Joint Replacement – considered to be the last resort option in which the severely arthritic joint, having failed more conservative methods of therapy, is replaced with a prosthetic joint.

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The article above is meant to provide general information and does not replace a doctor's consultation. 
Please see your doctor for professional advice.