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Arthritis In Right Knee, Knee Locking, Difficulty Walking. Alternative Options Apart From Surgery?
I am a female, 56 years old. Have pretty severe arthritis in my right knee which is getting worse. Went through PT a couple years ago which resulted in me being pain free until something shifted. Having severe pain now. Knee gives out and locks up. Brace helps. Dr. says I m too young for knee replacement . What other options are available for me? I do need to loose about 40 lbs. but it s getting harder to even get around.
Wed, 5 Dec 2012
Hello and welcome to HCM
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease which can be managed conservatively in early stage.
Conservative management consists of life style management.
They are:
1. Avoiding bending, squating and kneeling positions. These positions cause damage to the knee joint.
2. Weight loss in case you are overweight. Maintaining ideal weight is essential. Excessive weight puts pressure on the joint and hence increases the damage.
3. Light exercise helps however, difficult postures or positions at knee joint can harm.
4. For pain a pain killer can be taken. However if long term use of pain killer causes acidity, an antacid can be taken.
5. Intra-articular injections of steroids and hyaluronic acid provide symptomatic relief.
In cases when the entire articular cartilage is damaged joint replacement surgery is the option. Joint replacement surgery replaces the normal joint by prosthesis.
Hope it helps.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease which can be managed conservatively in early stage.
Conservative management consists of life style management.
They are:
1. Avoiding bending, squating and kneeling positions. These positions cause damage to the knee joint.
2. Weight loss in case you are overweight. Maintaining ideal weight is essential. Excessive weight puts pressure on the joint and hence increases the damage.
3. Light exercise helps however, difficult postures or positions at knee joint can harm.
4. For pain a pain killer can be taken. However if long term use of pain killer causes acidity, an antacid can be taken.
5. Intra-articular injections of steroids and hyaluronic acid provide symptomatic relief.
In cases when the entire articular cartilage is damaged joint replacement surgery is the option. Joint replacement surgery replaces the normal joint by prosthesis.
Hope it helps.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
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