Osteoarthritis is not a disease. It is an aging process that consists of progressive degeneration of cartilage in a joint. The term “osteoarthritis” simply means cartilage wear. Wondering what cartilage looks like? Look at the end of a bone in a chicken leg. Cartilage is the kind of white wax at the end of the bone, and this cartilage forms protection that allows the bones to not rub against each other. With osteoarthritis, as the cartilage decreases, the bone ends up being exposed, causing pain and reducing mobility. The pt benefits are essential there now.
What Are The Symptoms?
Knee pain will be present mainly in prolonged standing, walking and on stairs. At night, if you sleep on your side, you will probably have trouble sleeping if your knees are resting on each other. Stiffness is often present in knee movements, especially in the morning. This phenomenon is called “morning unlock”. Swelling may also be present.
What Is The Cause?
Most risk factors for osteoarthritis such as genes and age cannot be changed. That said, the extra weight is directly linked to a higher incidence of osteoarthritis in the knee. Maintaining a healthy weight helps prevent it.
Trauma to the knee can also speed up the degeneration process. Thus, there is often more osteoarthritis in a knee that has suffered a severe sprain in the past compared to the knee which has not suffered an injury.
When analyzing the time of onset of an osteoarthritis attack, there is often a history of change in the 24 hours preceding the onset of the injury for example, increasing walking distance, walking on uneven terrain, working crouched or climbing more stairs than usual.
Can We Cure Osteoarthritis?
No, at the moment there is nothing that can cure osteoarthritis. On the other hand, there are ways to greatly relieve it, even to make it asymptomatic.
Tips to relieve your osteoarthritis pain:
Stay active, but dose your activities to avoid pain during or after the activity. Discomfort is allowed if it does not persist the next day.
- Cycle regularly at a light to moderate intensity.
- Prefer short walks then gradually increase the distance depending on the symptoms.
- Avoid knee twists and prolonged squatting position.
- Keep a healthy weight. If you are overweight, every ten pounds lost will have a positive effect on your pain.
- If necessary, put on heat or ice for 15 minutes depending on what relieves you the most.
There are also other options to help you with a pain attack:
- Wear a kneepad
- Use a cane temporarily on the side opposite the painful knee.
- Pain reliever or anti-inflammatory medication may help, but you should discuss this with your pharmacist or doctor first.
Glucosamine with chondroitin can be tried for 6 weeks. However, studies on the subject are contradictory. Discuss this with your pharmacist.
Can Consulting In A Physiotherapy Clinic Help Me?
A physiotherapist from one of our physio clinics will offer manual exercises and techniques that will help you regain better mobility of the affected joints, which will relieve your pain. A physiotherapy consultation can also teach you strengthening exercises to better support the affected joint. Your physiotherapist will advise you to choose the activities that suit your state of health.