Causes and Treatment

When might knee replacement become an appropriate treatment for severe osteoarthritis pain? Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting an estimated 302 million people worldwide. It is a major cause of disability in older adults and often affects the knees, hips, and hands.

Osteoarthritis affects the whole joint. Cartilage wears down, bone surfaces may rub together, bone spurs can develop, and the joint lining may become inflamed. Pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of function can follow. In advanced cases, knee replacement may be considered.

What Is Knee Osteoarthritis?

Cartilage is the smooth tissue covering the ends of bones, allowing the knee to move with less friction. As it wears away, bone can become exposed and rub against bone, causing pain, swelling, and restricted movement. Advanced disease may lead to consideration of joint replacement.

What Symptoms May Lead to Consideration of Knee Replacement?

Common symptoms include:

· Knee pain.

· Joint stiffness after inactivity, such as sleeping or sitting for a long time.

· Knee swelling.

· Clicking or grinding during movement.

· A reduced range of movement.

What Causes Knee Osteoarthritis?

The exact cause is not always clear, but increasing age is a major factor.

Other factors that increase risk include:

· Older age.

· Previous injury to the joint.

· Work involving repeated loading of the knee, such as squatting or lifting.

· Sports involving repeated knee loading, such as jumping or running.

· Excess weight, which increases pressure on the knee.

Treatment Before Knee Replacement

Osteoarthritis develops over many years and has no single definitive medicine that reverses it. Drug and non-drug treatments aim to reduce symptoms, improve function, and limit worsening.

Medicines may include anti-inflammatory treatments when appropriate.

Non-drug options include:

– Exercise: walking, strengthening, and water-based exercise can help. A physiotherapist can tailor activities and progress them towards the patient’s goals. Strengthening the thigh and leg muscles may reduce pain and support joint function. Exercises should complement, rather than replace, an individual treatment plan. Stop and seek advice if an exercise causes pain.

– Weight management: losing 5% or more of body weight can improve symptoms and function, with greater benefits as weight loss increases. Reducing weight also lowers the load on the knee and may help delay the need for surgery.

– A walking aid: a stick or crutch can reduce joint loading, improve stability, and ease pain while walking.

Surgery and Knee Replacement

If pain is severe, arthritis is advanced, and conservative treatments no longer provide enough relief or mobility, an orthopaedic surgeon may recommend replacing the worn joint surfaces with artificial components.

Rehabilitation After Surgery

Physiotherapy often begins on the day of surgery. Following the rehabilitation programme helps patients gradually regain movement and return to everyday activities.

Rehabilitation may start with walking aids, transfers, and range-of-motion exercises, then progress to strengthening, balance, and practice with daily tasks.

Physiotherapy helps reduce complications such as limited knee bending or straightening and muscle weakness that restrict mobility.

Follow the surgeon’s and physiotherapist’s instructions throughout rehabilitation, which may continue for several months.

At Ghayatcom, we support your recovery after knee replacement.

For non-emergency enquiries or to arrange physiotherapy, message Ghayatcom on WhatsApp: http://wa.me/966920022566