Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
You have not mentioned about your age in the description. Based on your description, I assume that you are of elderly age group. Propably your symptoms could be due to arthritic changes in the knee joint.
An xray of the knee will show up the amount of degeneration. At times, Diagnostic
arthroscopy is also helpful in assessing the intra articular lesions (if any) and for removing any loose bodies from inside.
The conservative management of arthritic knees is as follows -
* ACTIVITY MODIFICATION -It is important to maintain as much activity and joint motion as possible, but impact activities will aggravate
arthritis. Running and jumping will often accelerate
cartilage loss from the joint. The key is to focus on low impact activities, such as swimming or cycling.
*
PHYSICAL THERAPY :Exercise can strengthen your muscles, which can help keep your joints more stable, and the stronger muscles help to absorb energy and protect the joint surface
*
WEIGHT LOSS - Significant weight loss for obese patients can make a
dramatic difference in the pain arising from arthritic joints.
* NON STEROIDAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDs) - This family of medications includes aspirin,
ibuprofen, naprosyn, and other non-narcotic medications to decrease pain and inflammation.
*
GLUCOSAMINE / CHONDROITIN SULFATE - There is compelling evidence that it is relatively safe and works by decreasing pain & inflammation in the joint thereby reducing the need for regular painkiller usage.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day