What is The Best Treatment For Osteoarthritis in Knees

The knees are the largest joints of your body and that’s why they bear maximum stress. If your knees get damaged due to osteoarthritis then it can affect your lifestyle in the worst way. 

So if you are experiencing osteoarthritis in your knees or suspect it, then read further. You will come to know all about osteoarthritis in your knees to opt for the best treatment options, manage your symptoms effectively, and get better soon.

Let’s dive in! 

What is osteoarthritis of the knee? 

Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition of the knee, where the cartilage wears and tears, causing the knee bones to rub together. This results in pain, inflammation, and inability to carry out routine tasks. 

Osteoarthritis of the knees isn’t an uncommon condition. It hits more than 46% of people around the world. 

With proper treatment and preventive measures, osteoarthritis can be stopped or slowed down. So let’s understand the causes and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knees to opt for better treatment. 

Causes of osteoarthritis in knees 

There are many factors that can cause the knee cartilage to break down. This can happen due to: 

• Age. Most people aged more than 40 years start losing cartilage flexibility and hence it damages. 
• Sex. The number of females suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee is more than men. 
• Injury. A severe knee injury can weaken the knee cartilage and it damages with time. 
• Genetics. Some people inherit osteoarthritis and this can affect them even before 40 years of age. 
• Bone deformities. Bone anomalies can cause the cartilage to wear and tear. 

Arthritis in knees – Symptoms 

You can experience the following symptoms at the onset of the condition: 

• Continuous pain in one or both knees 
• Inflammation and swelling 
• Inability to flexibly move the knees (bending, stretching)
• Stiffness of knees if maintained a posture for too long 
• The knee might lock up, especially after sleep 

These symptoms aggravate if not treated and can worsen the situation. So, if you’re feeling continuous pain, stiffness, and swelling then it’s time to see your doctor for a diagnosis. 

How to diagnose osteoarthritis in the knees? 

Your healthcare provider will first examine your knees physically to check the level of pain, stiffness, and redness. After that, you might be asked to get certain tests done, including X-rays, MRI, blood tests, and joint aspiration. 

How to relieve osteoarthritis knee pain? 

Let’s accept a fact: osteoarthritis isn’t curable. But the good news is that with proper care and treatment, you can not only alleviate symptoms but also stop the condition from getting worse. 

Below are some of the practices you should do once diagnosed with the condition.

Home Remedies 

• Do alternate hot and cold presses to relieve pain, stiffness, and swelling. Keep hot packs on the knees for at least 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day, alternating with the cold packs 
• Use over-the-counter topical creams that ease pain and swelling 
• Make a few lifestyle changes to ease symptoms. You can opt for a healthy diet routine, drink lots of water, and keep away from unhealthy drinks and food 
• Stay active. Not using your knees much means you are making them stiffer. So keep moving and follow a few exercises that are mentioned below. 

Osteoarthritis knee exercises 

Following are a few exercises for knee pain that you can do to feel better. Always consult your doctor first to benefit the most. 

• Hamstring stretch: Loop a bed sheet around your foot while laying down. Stretch your leg for 20 seconds and then release. Do this for the other leg also. 
• Calf stretch. Stand straight with the support of the chair and bend forward, keeping one leg straight. Hold for 20 seconds and then bend the other leg forward. 
• Straight leg raise. Lie on the floor and lift one leg as much as you can. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds. Release and then do it for the other leg. 

You can also try essential oils for knee pain and swelling.

Best treatment options for osteoarthritis in knees 

With home remedies, it’s essential to get the proper treatment that helps alleviate the symptoms. Your doctor might prescribe anti-inflammatory medicines and pain relievers. 

If nothing helps, surgery might be an option that reduces the friction of bones and increases flexibility and mobility. 

Best medicine for arthritis pain in knees 

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most effective medicine for arthritis pain. They include ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, and others. All medicines work by blocking enzymes that cause pain and inflammation. 

Note that these medicines just relieve pain and don’t help to minimize the underlying issue so the condition may worsen even if you continue these medications. 

New treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee | Laser Treatment 

With the advancement in technology, we have got a new alternative treatment that helps not only reduce pain and inflammation but also protects joints and bones from further damage. 

This promising treatment is called laser pain therapy. A doctor uses a safe laser beam to stimulate the body’s natural defense and healing mechanisms. You will need a few sessions before you start feeling better. 

Laser pain therapy is done at modern pain management clinics. In Pakistan, BioFlex is doing osteoarthritis treatment for patients suffering from joint pain. We have treated many patients suffering from arthritis with 98% success. 

Can you reverse osteoarthritis of the knee?

Unfortunately, the damage because of osteoarthritis can’t be reversed. There is no way that joints can get back to their original form. 

That said, you can certainly manage the condition and stop/minimize its onset as much as you can. Proper care and treatment reduces the negative impact of osteoarthritis and keeps the symptoms at bay. 

Prevention of osteoarthritis 

If you are at risk of developing osteoarthritis, you can follow a few regimes to prevent it or delay it. You can improve your lifestyle and start a few multivitamins after consulting your doctor. 

A few measures to prevent osteoarthritis that will help are: 

• Maintain a healthy weight to make sure you are not adding pressure on your joints and bones 
• Control blood sugar levels 
• Protect your joints from damage by wearing protective gear while sporting 
• Choose an overall healthy lifestyle. Be active, keep your body hydrated, and eat healthy food. 
• Visit your doctor regularly for a thorough examination 

How to prevent osteoarthritis after knee injury? 

If you have encountered a knee injury then you might develop symptoms of osteoarthritis later. This is because an injury can damage your cartilage and weak cartilage wears and tears easily. 

So after a knee injury, follow a few measures to prevent osteoarthritis: 

• Don’t ignore continuous pain after an injury and visit a doctor right away for proper knee pain treatment 
• Make sure you don’t overuse the injured knee until it heals properly 
• Take rest and follow a few exercises to strengthen your knee joints. Avoid overdoing the exercises 
• Take a healthy diet and supplements to support the healing process 

The Bottom line 

Osteoarthritis in the knees is a common condition that can affect your lifestyle. To treat it properly, follow proper care and treatment. You can also try laser treatment for knee pain mentioned above. If you are prone to developing osteoarthritis, following proper preventive measures can help you avoid it for good.