Due towear and tear ofthe joint over the years one con develop knee osteoarthritis.
Usually it happens in elderly but it con also happen in younger people due to previous injury or infection to the joint.
What ore the causes of knee pain in elderly?
Knee pain con be dueto arthritis in the knee itself or it con be o referred pain from hip or spine. Your need to be examined by the orthopaedic doctor to make sure whether your pain is actually from the knee or referred from somewhere else.It iscrucial to make the correct diagnosis,otherwise treatment may not be effective.
How to do X rays of knee?
X rays need to be done in standing position to know the extent of cartilage loss and to see whether any deformity has developed dueto knee arthritis.
What are the treatment options available?
Non-surgical treatment modalities ore painkillers, weight reduction, activity modification ,regular exercise,physiotherapy,glucosamine,braces,steroid injection and hyaluronidase injection. Surgical treatment includes arthroscopic debridement, fibrin glue/stem cell and finally Total knee replacement.
Is the knee replacement sole option?
Yes, Knee replacement is a soleoption provided you have tried other treatments first and you ore still in pain.
How effective is knee replacement to relieve pain?
Success of the total knee replacement depends on correct patient selection and surgical technique. Success rate ranges from 85%- 98%.
Is it advisable to delay knee replacement if it is still too painful after other treatments?
No, because knee will develop more deformity and it will be a difficult surgery if you develop more severe deformity.It will be difficult to control your pain and also to do your day today activities.
1
Knee isometric exercise
Lie on your back or sit on the floor.
Place a rolled up towel under your knee.
Straighten your leg against the towel Press knee down and hold for 10 seconds.
This exercise helps to straighten your leg if your knee is stiff, and also strengthens the quadriceps muscle group (at the front of your thigh).
2
Knee extension exercise
Sit down on a high leveled chair or bed so that your legs are free from the floor.
Start by extending your knee till it is fully extended You may hold this position for 5-10setonds, then slowly return to starting position.
