Treatment of Arthritis Knee Pain
One of the most prevalent conditions affecting countless patients of all ages is arthritis knee pain – in particular, Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). In spite of all discoveries in modern science, there is at present no specific cure for all types of arthritis knee pain.
While there are certain exercises and physical therapy programs meant to alleviate pain to a certain extent, their results depend mostly on the level of pain and the severity of arthritis present, among a number of other factors.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
A quite common type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis, which at the onset occurs alongside joint stiffness or soreness in the knees, feet, hands, and elbows. Often, the stiffness will occur in both sides. As the condition progresses, the afflicted patient will feel some fatigue and flu, plus pains and ache and inflammation of the joint.
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Conversely, if pain appears in any joint after a repetitive action, this is most likely a different form of arthritis called Osteoarthritis (OA). To demonstrate, a long-term athlete may one day experience excruciating pain in the knee without any apparent reason. X-rays can discover any knee cartilage problems, which can weaken the joints and prevent them from sticking together.
Osteoarthritis often afflicts the hips, neck, fingers, and back. Swollen or misshapen fingers are indicative of osteoarthritis. In serious cases, OA patients may find it nearly impossible to perform even simple actions such as sitting down, standing up, or walking. In such cases, hip replacement surgery may be deemed necessary.
There are various risk factors involved in osteoarthritis. Women have a higher risk of getting osteoarthritis than males. Moreover, stress, age, and obesity are risk factors, among others.
Arthritis Knee Pain Treatment Methods
A popular method in arthritis treatment is the use of knee braces, both custom-made and off-the-shelf. Off-the-shelf are knee braces that fit your knee, whilst custom-made types are those that are more costly and devised to fit both your knee and your specific condition.
Though prescription medications can lessen pain, they are hardly able to cure it entirely. Nonetheless, new medications are being offered to control the painful symptoms of arthritis. Along with the usual medications, your physician can prescribe oral creams and salves. NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly preferred by most physicians. RA patients are frequently given anti-rheumatic medications or biologics, which can be injected regularly to restore the patient’s normal bodily functions.
One more technique that may effectively manage rheumatoid arthritis is performing regular knee exercises, such as cycling, swimming, and walking. Knee exercises may help improve or restore the function of the joints. Such knee exercises don’t need to be rigorous, because even basic exercises can work wonders for the joints. Strenuous exercises that can can cause damage to your joints must be completely avoided.
In chronic cases, knee surgery and chemotherapy may be necessitated. Alternative treatment systems like magnetic pulse therapy and acupuncture, to name a few, have also become popular these days, given the the countless patients who attest to their effectiveness.
Generally, if you opt to try standard or alternative treatments for arthritis knee pain, you are strongly advised to discuss your options with your physician before doing anything.