Osteoarthritis of the knee causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the knee. The symptoms may become so severe that it can limit your mobility and prevent you from doing the activities you enjoy. Any physician will tell you that osteoarthritis of the knee needs proper management before it ends up becoming unbearable.
Fortunately, patients with osteoarthritis of the knee can live normal lives despite their condition. Orthopedic specialists can provide treatments to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
Lifestyle Changes
Perhaps the first thing an orthopedic surgeon will recommend is to make lifestyle changes that help slow disease progression and reduce pressure on your ailing knee joint. With excessive weight comes increased pressure on the knees. Help your knees by maintaining a healthy weight through changes in diet and incorporating exercise into your daily routine.
Lack of exercise can accelerate the degeneration of the knee joint. However, it is just as important that you exercise safely. Light to moderate exercise is recommended to prevent injury. A physical therapist can teach you exercises that can benefit your knee and relieve symptoms. An occupational therapist can guide you on how to perform daily chores and other activities without putting too much stress on your knee. Assistive devices, like canes, have shown to be very effective in relieving pain and improving knee function.
Pain Management
Another important aspect of treating osteoarthritis of the knee is bringing down chronic inflammation that this condition causes in the joint. Chronic inflammation is what damages the joint and nearby soft tissues in the knee. In fact, chronic inflammation can lead to permanent damage to joints that cannot be corrected without surgery. Orthopedic specialists employ many treatments to control inflammation and reduce pain symptoms. Examples include anti-inflammatory medications, injection therapy, hyaluronic acid (HA) injections, electrical stimulation, and more. Many times, a combination of treatments works best for patients.
Joint Reconstruction Surgery
If conservative methods of treatment do not relieve symptoms to a degree that allows a patient to live a normal life, orthopedic surgeons may recommend joint reconstruction surgery. These procedures are performed to remove damaged tissue and preserve healthy tissue. In some procedures, damaged parts are removed and replaced with artificial components. Joint reconstruction surgery is the last option pursued by orthopedic surgeons after conservative treatments fail to bring relief. Patients with severe arthritic damage are ideal candidates for joint surgery.
Orthopedic Surgeon in Farmington Hills, Michigan
Regularly seeing an orthopedic specialist is key to the proper management of osteoarthritis. If you have knee osteoarthritis, it is important to be diligent about receiving care before your symptoms become unbearable. If your knee osteoarthritis symptoms are causing you great difficulty with even the simplest tasks, the orthopedic specialists at Tri County Orthopedics can help relieve your symptoms and enhance your quality of life. Whether you need conservative treatments or surgery, we have the right solution for you.
To find out more about our services or to schedule a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon, call the Tri County Orthopedics at (248) 474-5575 or fill out our form to request an appointment.
