Effective Nonsurgical Methods to Treat Knee Osteoarthritis

A happy life begins with a healthy body and in case you are to live your life to the fullest, you have to consider every aspect of your life on the daily basis. The body’s range of mobility has its backbone known as the joints. These joints facilitate movement and the conduction of various activities such as typing, reading, and sports activities. Reduced mobility for those who are suffering from knee pain are witnesses to a variety of effects this has on their lives.

Knee osteoarthritis is one of the commonest types of arthritis in elderly individuals. The medical condition causes discomfort, inflammation, pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility generally tampering with one’s quality of life.

Developing knee osteoarthritis increases with age, however, living an active life can help to lessen the risk factor or rather extend your joint health for a longer period of time.

Knee pain is commonly caused by knee injuries, diseases, overuse, and invasive exercises, but severity differ from one individual to another. Treatment ranges from surgical to non-surgical treatment approaches, but judging from various studies, effective non-surgical treatment approaches can eliminate one’s requirement for a knee replacement surgery. Effective non-surgical treatment options include;

Hot & Cold Therapy

Thermotherapy is one of the immediate approaches to knee pain conducted to relieve stiffness and inflammation effects. Using ice or warm packs can help to improve one’s range of motion and studies by Arthritis Foundation indicate that soaking the affected knee in warm water relaxes the joint and lessens the pain.

Warm water and add Epsom salt to it, after which you can soak your knee

Massage

Massaging the affected knee can effectively relieve knee pain since it releases the accumulated calcium within the tissue- according to Modern Reflexology. Massaging your knee every twice a day for at least ten minutes is effective enough to improve your knee pain

Over-the-Counter Pain Medications & Supplements

Painkillers to relieve knee osteoarthritis is among the first treatment approaches before undergoing knee replacement in India. These include tramadol, nefopam, and meptazinol. These are effective in alleviating knee inflammation for comfortable knee exercises

Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are effective when it comes to treating knee osteoarthritis and joint space narrowing. This is according to the results published in the issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine in 2003.

Physical Therapy

Knee exercises are generally recommended before and knee replacement, however, these same exercises can also reduce the effect of knee pain. A variety of studies have indicated to the fact that physical therapy improves mobility, reduces pain, and relieves stiffness.

Living a sedentary or an inactive life can increase one’s risk factors for muscle degeneration, stiffness, and osteoarthritis. A study conducted in 2000 indicated that better knee extensor strength could result in a lower incidence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis

Opt for an experienced physiotherapist to attain the best results from your physical therapy programme

Orthotics and Footwear

Mounting pressure on your knee in various ways is blamed for knee pain. Similarly, wearing high heels and uncomfortable shoes are some of the commonest reasons for knee osteoarthritis. According to Osteoarthritis Arthritis Research Society International (OARSI) and ACR, lateral-wedged insoles are better choices in case of osteoarthritis. These insoles have been evaluated for various osteoarthritis and knee deformities.

Corticosteroids

These may be taken orally or administered through injections. These have been extensively used to treat knee osteoarthritis for decades. However, the drugs are prescribed carefully by an experienced orthopedic doctor after numerous considerations. You will probably get a maximum of three Corticosteroid injections per year and this treatment approach has proven effective in dealing with knee osteoarthritis conditions

Regular Knee Exercises

Though joints affected by osteoarthritis may pose a significant barrier to mobility and inflexibility. A combination of regular exercises and medications is an excellent treatment approach to relieve knee pain in the long run. A physiotherapist or an orthopaedic doctor is in a good position to describe effective exercises in the meantime as your knee pain alleviates. In the long run, your exercises are altered to advanced physical exercises that can facilitate proper mobility without stiffness and a potential of inducing pain.

Eva Hospital is a sophisticated orthopaedic hospital providing both surgical and non-surgical orthopaedic treatments to patients in India. Consider our best Ortho Centre in India for specialized non-invasive and non-surgical treatments for knee osteoarthritis

Fluid Intake

Fluids are a necessity for better health, and genuinely, your water intake is vital to your overall health. In the current era, the consumption of manufactured and processed drinks is increasing and instead of doubling one’s level of water intake, these processed drinks are a way to go. The effects of limited water levels in the body are countless, but toxin accumulation is the deadly one of all, yet silent.

Increasing water intake helps in expelling various toxins from the body through sweating and urination. In case these toxins aren’t effectively secreted from the body, cells, tissue, and organ damage is guaranteed which leave your life at stake. As a result, there is less lubrication in the joints, increasing one’s risk of joint damage, deformity, and injuries

Water consists of magnesium, calcium, potassium, copper, selenium, and sodium that aid in cell regeneration, secretion of toxins from the body

Diet & Nutrition

Whereas food is another necessity for life, nutrition is another vital aspect of a healthy body. It’s time to pay attention to the numerous foods you consume on the daily basis. Anti-inflammatory foods are recommended for preserving your joint health and overall mobility. Best anti-inflammatory foods include citrus fruits, ginger, tomatoes, turmeric, beans, and Omega-3 fatty acid sources like fish

Numerous studies have confirmed the essential role of these foods in one’s diet when it comes to soothing arthritis symptoms and combating inflammation. It is also recommended to incorporate a variety of fruits into your regular meals such as oranges, cherries, nuts, and strawberries since they facilitate cartilage creation and are excellent anti-oxidants

Similarly, green leafy vegetables are essential antioxidants