According to New Orleans orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Meyer, the incidence of clinically significant knee osteoarthritis – which involves pain, swelling, limitation of function and deformity in the advanced stage – is increasing. The reasons for the increase include obesity and a lack of a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Osteoarthritis is more common in women because post-menopausal women have weaker bones as compared to men of their age as a result of a condition called osteoporosis, which means porous bones.
Your New Orleans orthopedic surgeon – who has special interest in complex joint replacement procedures – said that the typical symptoms of arthritis of the knees are pain in and around the joint, swelling, morning stiffness of knees and occasional pain at night.
He offers the following valuable suggestions to patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knees:
1. Use a walking aid to decrease the load on the knees.
2. Exercise regularly and moderately.
3. Footwear should be modified as suggested by your New Orleans orthopedic surgeon.
4. Bracing of knees should be performed to reinforce the inner side of the knee joint, where arthritis is most common.
5. Patients of osteoarthritis should take showers instead of bath as showers prevent bending of knees and squatting. Warm showers give comfort to arthritic knees and decrease the pain and stiffness in the joint.
7. Physiotherapy reduces pain, increases the range of movement of joints and improves muscle strength through the use of different exercises.
8. Medicines such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and local application of ointments and gels help to relieve pain.
9. Transdermal patches of painkillers, applied on the skin can provide relief from pain for 24 hours to patients of osteoarthritis. The transdermal patches also have fewer side effects than oral pain-killers.
10. Hyaluronic acid is injected into the knee joint for lubricating it and to protect the cartilage.
11. Injection of steroids in the joints to relieve pain and swelling.
Knee replacement surgery is typically performed when knee pain fails to respond to these conservative methods.
If you are suffering from symptoms of arthritis of the knees – don’t wait – call the office of New Orleans orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Meyer today to Schedule a Consultation