Arthritis of the Knee Treatment

Knee arthritis is a common problem affecting the knee joint. Arthritis of the knee results from a breakdown in the articular cartilage covering the ends of the bones that form to create the knee joint. A progressive disorder that can cause significant pain and disability, knee arthritis can be managed and treated in a variety of different ways. What follows is a brief list of the most common types of knee arthritis treatments.

Rest

• Depending on the degree of knee arthritis present, rest is often times an effective treatment for knee arthritis pain and inflammation. Many individuals suffering from mild to moderate degrees of knee arthritis experience painful knee flare-ups related to the overstressing or overtaxing of their knee joints, either through normal work activities or through various types of exercise and/or fitness regimens. An arthritic knee joint that becomes increasingly painful as the result of physical activity normally responds favorably to a brief period of rest and refrainment from physical activity. Resting an arthritic knee allows the painful, irritated soft tissues surrounding the knee joint as well as the bone ends and joint capsule to settle and become less irritated and painful.

Ice

• The application of ice or an ice pack to an arthritic knee is an excellent form of short-term treatment designed to alleviate pain and inflammation. Knee arthritis, especially in more moderate and severe cases, often times produces significant amounts of inflammation and swelling within and around the knee joint. This inflammation and swelling increases pain and reduces mobility. The application of ice to an inflamed, painful arthritic knee results in a reduction in both swelling and inflammation, which in turn reduces pain and increases knee joint mobility.The application of ice to an arthritic knee is a highly effective short-term treatment for knee arthritis pain.

Activity Modifications

• Refraining from certain types of physical activities, especially high-impact and/or jarring types of activities, is an acceptable form of long-term treatment for managing knee arthritis pain and disability. High-impact activities, such as jogging, running, and aerobics, place a tremendous burden on a knee joint, especially a knee joint that has been damaged by arthritis. Knee arthritis results in the gradual breakdown and destruction of the articular cartilage that cushions the knee joint. As the articular cartilage breaks down, the knee joint loses its natural shock absorbing capabilities and becomes less capable of adequately bearing and dispersing excessive weight loading. Eliminating high-impact activities (or limiting them) that irritate and aggravate an arthritic knee is an effective long-term strategy for treating knee arthritis and its symptoms.

Pain Medication

• Many pain medications are available that are very effective at treating the pain and inflammation of an arthritic knee joint. Many over-the-counter anti-inflammatory/analgesic medications work well enough to handle mild to moderate arthritic knee pain and any residual soft tissue irritations. In more advanced stages of knee arthritis, especially cases where significant pain and discomfort exist even during rest, more powerful narcotics-based pain medications may be required and utilized. Although pain medications do nothing to remedy the underlying arthritic process at work within a knee joint, they do provide significant pain relief and increased mobility.

Surgery

• Various types of surgeries are available for the treatment of knee arthritis. One of the most common is knee replacement surgery, whereby the damaged portions of the knee joint are removed and replaced with artificial parts. Knee replacement surgery is a very effective surgery for eliminating arthritic knee pain and restoring joint movement and flexibility. Knee arthroscopy, which involves the insertion of small instruments into the knee joint to visualize and repair minor knee joint abnormalities and dysfunctions, is a common surgical procedure used to help manage and retard the arthritic process within a knee joint. Surgical options are normally reserved for the treatment of knee arthritis that has not responded adequately to less invasive forms of treatment.