New Knee Treatment for Arthritis

"Arthritis" is a term that covers more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions. When most people talk about arthritis, however, they usually refer to osteoarthritis. Since this disease often attacks large joints, such as the knee, it causes more disability than any other disease in the United States. According to the Center for Diseases Control, as of May 2005 27 million Americans a year need medical care for this debilitating, painful disease. By 2030, statisticians estimate doctors in the United States will be treating 67 million people a year for arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

• Take an X-ray of the knee to see the joint space.

  Although people of any age can have osteoarthritis, it typically shows up in people over 40. As reported by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, osteoarthritis causes more mobility problems for seniors 65 and over than any other disease. The cartilage in the joint space breaks down with use or over time, creating a degenerative process that cannot be stopped. Medicine Net defines cartilage as the "firm, rubbery tissue that cushions bones at joints." With osteoarthritis in the knee, this means that as the cushion in the joint slowly disintegrates, eventually you end up with bone rubbing against bone when you walk or climb stairs.

Early Treatments

• Exercise in warm water can keep you moving.

  Osteoarthritis has no cure, so treatments concentrate on alleviating pain and trying to slow down the progression of the disease. The American College of Rheumatology recommends a treatment plan that initially might include exercises to strengthen knee muscles and ligaments, thermal therapy and possibly a supportive brace. Rheumatologists usually advise doing the physical therapy in warm water.

Pain Management

• Injections can lubricate the joint.

  Treatment also includes drugs to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Doctors often give prescriptions for oral drugs, such as acetaminophen and NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.). They prescribe topical medications---for example, an NSAID gel, which patients rub directly onto the knee. When needed, doctors write prescriptions for narcotics to combat more serious pain. In addition to prescribing oral and topical drugs, physicians sometimes inject corticosteroids and/or hyaluronic acid (HA, a lubricant) directly into the joint.

Surgical Intervention

• Surgery can restore mobility.

  The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends knee replacement surgery when the physical limitations created by knee arthritis affect your quality of life. With this procedure, physicians repair the damaged bones and insert an artificial prosthesis that replaces the old cartilage. Knee replacements generally last about 10 to 15 years. However, with new materials and techniques, some now last up to 20 years.

New Research

• Research is improving the prognosis.

  Finally, doctors and research scientists are trying to find less invasive ways to repair the knee. Orthopedic surgeons at the University of Washington in Seattle are trying a minimally invasive surgery. They make a smaller incision and bypass cutting through the quadriceps muscle, then implant the traditional prosthesis. In an even more exciting development, researchers at Northwestern University have created a biological material, bioactive nanomaterial, that when injected into the knee will cause stem cells present in the bone marrow to regenerate and grow new cartilage. This breakthrough has the potential to eliminate the need for knee replacement surgery altogether.

Disclaimer

• If you are experiencing chronic pain or suspect that you have osteoarthritis of the knee, consult your doctor. Only your doctor can diagnose and treat arthritis.