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Suggest Treatment For Knee Pain

Posted on Tue, 23 Sep 2014

Question: This is for a 64 year old female who has knee pain...i took her to rhematologist who has prescribed glucosomine 2 tablets a day. She also offered a shot/injection in her knees in her next visit. She says it is osteoarthritis and not that serious yet and do not need unnecessary x-rays at this time. She also gave Voltaren Gel. So we are lil nervous about putting the gel after reading side effects of developing ulcer or heart conditions. Also lot of people told me that those knee injections are safe and some people told us steroid is no good. I still plan to take her to an orthopedic surgeon even tho rhemotalogist thinks it is not required at this point. But again we are nervous of unnecessary radiation from xray. Her PCP said do an xray...its ok. So we are all confused. She started walking more and her feet got swollen. She is taking therapy but it is not helping. Should we try the knee shots? how about xray of knees? please advice. Thanx

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
She is having knee arthritis

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case and I think your mother is having knee Osteoarthritis. In this disease there is reduction in joint gap and cartilage damage. I have following suggestion to you.
1. X ray of the knee is safe and there is no harm. Get her knee x ray to confirm the diagnosis. It will also tell us in which stage her disease is.
2. Tablet Brufen or ultracet twice daily. it is good for her pain relief.
3. Steroid injections are safe but should be given by a trained orthopaedic surgeon. Injection should not be repeated before 3 months.
4. Voletran ointment does not cause any side effect like skin burn. It is safe and effective.
5. Calcium and vitamin D 3 regularly to make sure her bone is strong.
i hope these steps will help her. Also she should avoid squatting and sitting cross leg. She should also use stairs as less as possible.
Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (2 hours later)

Thanx for your feedback Dr XXXXXXX So should i start taking her to a orthopedic surgeon? or rhematologist? also if ultimately she has to go thru knee replacement surgery, does it cure? i heard in many cases the patients dont cure from knee replacement...so we are nervous...please advise..how can she walk without limping ?

Mr XXXXXXX
New York
USA

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Knee replacement is a very successful surgery

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
you have to show her to orthopaedic surgeon as rheumatologist usually never advise in favour of surgery. If you are ready for surgery as she is having no anaesthetic issue then I would suggest you to go ahead with knee replacement. It is definitive cure and she will live a good quality life after that. There is no point giving her pain killer as they are toxic for her .
thanks

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj