Knee arthritis (osteoarthritis) is the first cause of knee pain especially in the elder persons. In case of knee arthritis, the cartilage tissue which covers the joints’ surfaces degenerates and the joint spacing narrows down. The symptoms which are seen in knee arthritis:
- Knee pain in walking and climbing up to and down from stairs (the pain also happens while resting as osteoarthritis progresses)
- Pain and sensitivity when the joint is pressed on
- Loss of movement in the knee joint
- Feeling of friction or grinding during the knee movement
There are various methods for the treatment of knee arthritis. Knee replacement surgery is one of these treatment methods. However, in many patients, it is possible to treat knee arthritis without surgical operation. It can be needed to use several methods to support each other to get the best results in case of non-surgical treatment.
Non-Surgical Treatment Methods in Knee Arthritis
Exercise, physical therapy, hot-cold applications, electric current applications, medications, knee injections and various assisting devices may be used alone or together in the treatment of knee arthritis.
Physical Therapy in Knee Arthritis
There is no generally accepted treatment of knee arthritis which heals the structural damage happened in the joint. The progression of knee arthritis may be slowed or stopped by physical therapy methods. At the same time complaints like knee pain, swelling and movement restriction may be overcome. The success rate of physical therapy for the treatment of knee arthritis is quite high.
Personalized Exercises
It is possible to reduce the complaints caused by knee arthritis with a personalized exercise program which is prepared after a detailed assessment. It is aimed to reduce the burden on the joint by strengthening the muscles which support the knee joint. Strengthening exercises, stretching-straining exercises, aerobic exercises and water exercises may be recommended personally.
Hot and Cold Applications
In physical therapy, hot or cold applications may be preferred with different purposes. Cold applications are generally preferred in the first 48-72 hours of acute injuries, times of increased edema and exacerbation. Cold applications can be applied 10-15 minutes and 3-4 times a day.
On the other hand, hot applications are preferred in chronic pains. Hot applications can be applied 15-20 minutes and 1-2 times a day. In hot and cold applications, thin towels should be used to prevent skin damage and scorches.
Electrotherapy Applications
Electrotherapy applications are the physical therapy methods which may be used for the treatment of various diseases. By applying electric currents which are not violent through electrodes which are placed on the skin, issues such as nerves and muscles are stimulated. To generate different effects, various parameters of the electric current are changed. Electrotherapy applications for knee arthritis are usually performed in 2 different ways:
- By applying them around the knee joint, it is targeted to reduce the knee pain.
- By applying them on the muscles supporting the knee, it is targeted to strengthen these muscles.
Manual Therapy and Massage
With the manual therapy methods, joint pain may be reduced, and joint movement can be increased. With medical massage application, it is possible to decrease joint stiffness, relax the muscles and provide relaxation. Manual therapy and massage applications will be more beneficial if they are combined with active exercise methods.
Other Physical Therapy Methods
- Ultrasound Therapy: Makes the deep tissues warmed with the help of sound waves. Used frequently to reduce pain and stiffness in knee arthritis.
- Short Wave Diathermia: It is another method used to make the tissues warm. The deep tissues are warmed with electromagnetic waves; pain, muscle spasm and joint stiffness are decreased.
- Banding: The correct banding methods ensures the stimulation of muscles and support of joint. In this way, it becomes possible to move without pain. Rigid banding and kinesiotaping are the frequently applied banding methods.
- Kneepad Usage: To support the knee joint and decrease the pain, some personalized kneepads can be used during the exacerbation periods of pain. Usage of kneepads is recommended for short periods because it may cause laziness of muscles.
- Walking Stick and Walker: The auxiliary devices for walking such as walking stick, canadian and walker ensure the alleviation of the load on the knee joint.
In case of knee arthritis, unmedicated methods, that is, physical therapy applications, are tried first generally. In case of very severe pains or the pains which were not eliminated despite physical therapy the injections into the knee joint may bring a considerable amount of relaxation.
- Some pain killers, glucosamine apparats and herbal support products may be recommended for knee arthritis treatment.
- Hyaluronic Acid Injection may be used to increase the quality of joint liquid, enable joint movements and eliminate the pain.
- PRP Injection, Stem Cell Injection and Prolotherapy are the injection treatment methods which became prominent recently.
- Corticosteroid Needles is an effective treatment in the periods of exacerbation.
Need for surgical operation can be eliminated or postponed with the correct usage of exercises, medications, injections and physical therapy methods.
