Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common degenerative joint disease that affects millions of people worldwide. It can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the knee joint, making it difficult to perform daily activities. Fortunately, there are several treatment options available to help manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis and improve quality of life.
The central limitation of surgical techniques is that they only affect specific areas of the joint surface targeted by the surgery while neglecting the joint globally. Therefore they likely have limited efficacy for patients suffering from advanced osteoarthritis where multiple compartments of the joint are affected. If you need surgery for osteoarthritis, your GP will refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon. Having surgery for osteoarthritis may greatly improve your symptoms, mobility and quality of life. Applying hot or cold packs to the joints can relieve the pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis in some people.
What is the gold standard treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee?
Exercise and tai chi slightly improve pain and function in knee and hip OA. No particular exercise is superior, although most studies used aerobic exercise. The benefit from tai chi lasts for at least 24 weeks, whereas exercise is beneficial for up to one year. Pain in OA is related to weight, and even a 5% weight loss provides notable improvement in knee and hip pain.
The gold standard treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee is total knee replacement surgery. This surgical procedure involves removing damaged cartilage and bone from the knee joint and replacing it with an artificial implant made of metal and plastic. Total knee replacement is considered the most effective treatment for severe osteoarthritis of the knee when conservative measures such as medication, physical therapy, and injections have failed to provide relief.
However, MRI is expensive, time consuming, and not widely used for monitoring OA clinically. Computed tomography (CT) and CT arthrography (CTA) can also be used to evaluate OA, but these are also invasive and require radiation exposure. Ultrasound is particularly useful for evaluation of synovitis but not for progression of OA. Radiography is widely accepted as the gold standard for diagnosing osteoarthritis (OA), but it has limitations when assessing early stage OA and monitoring progression. While there are improvements in the treatment of OA, the challenge is early recognition.
Losing weight can reduce the strain on your joints and, in doing so, help alleviate symptoms. Both the apprehension sign and J-sign were significantly improved in both groups after surgery. At the last follow-up, it was found that the apprehension sign and residual J-sign in Group A were less than those in Group B, and the difference was statistically significant. However, there was no significant difference in the ROM between the preoperative and postoperative follow-up and between the two groups.
In the study of Ahmad R et al., the complications of TTO cannot be ignored (17). In addition, some studies showed that TT-TG distance decreased after DDFO (22, 46, 47). Topically applied medications reduce pain and inflammation by blocking the production of enzymes that produce inflammatory chemicals that ultimately result in pain and swelling. The pain-relieving property of capsaicin is found in many topical preparations and is known to relieve muscle, joint, and nerve pain.
Benefits of total knee replacement surgery:
Also, because healthy parts of your knee are left in place, partial knee replacements are said to feel more natural than a total knee replacement. Downsides of a partial knee replacement are that another surgery (total knee replacement) may be needed in the future if damage to another compartment occurs. Also, because over half of people with knee osteoarthritis have damage and deterioration to more than just one compartment of the knee, fewer people are good candidates for this surgery. However, few studies have directly compared the clinical and radiological parameters of MPFLR + DDFO and MPFLR + TTO in the treatment of recurrent PD patients having both increased FAA and excessive TT-TG distance. The results showed that for recurrent PD patients having excessive TT-TG distance and increased FAA, MPFLR + DDFO was superior to MPFLR + TTO in both clinical and radiological outcomes.
- Pain relief: Total knee replacement surgery can significantly reduce or eliminate knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.
- Improved mobility: By replacing the damaged joint with an artificial implant, patients can experience improved range of motion and functionality in the knee.
- Better quality of life: Total knee replacement surgery can help patients return to their normal activities and enjoy a better quality of life without the limitations imposed by osteoarthritis.
Because it can shut down nerve cells, doctors can use it to ease muscle spasms. Invented in Sweden in the 1980s, the method has become common in orthopedic practices. Called Maci, it puts the cells inside a dissolvable scaffold – placed inside the knee – that’s designed to grow new cartilage. It is a treatment that is not recommended because of the lack of standard dosages and preparation. Even though they’re popular with some high-profile athletes, PRP injections still aren’t proven, and the treatment formulations can vary a lot.
If you are considering total knee replacement surgery as a treatment option for osteoarthritis of the knee, it is important to consult with an orthopedic surgeon to discuss the risks, benefits, and expected outcomes of the procedure. With advances in surgical techniques and implant technology, many patients can experience successful outcomes and long-lasting relief from knee pain and dysfunction.
