By Dr. Shekhar Srivastav, HOD Orthopaedics, Sant Parmanand Hospital, New Delhi
“Joint pain and stiffness” is the definition of arthritis. However, the phrase is frequently used to refer to any of the more than 100 disorders that affect the joints, which are the places where two or more bones link together to allow movement.
Osteoarthritis (sometimes called degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis) is the most frequent type of arthritis. Arthritis is a condition in which the cartilage in the joints gradually breaks down. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, although it most usually affects the knee.
When the cartilage that protects the bones in joints wears away over time, osteoarthritis occurs. The surface layer of cartilage hardens, causing pain. If the cartilage totally disappears, the bone will scrape against bone, causing considerable damage to the ends of the bones and joint pain.
Osteoarthritis has an unknown cause in the majority of cases. Obesity, aging, joint difficulties or stress, inheritance, and muscle weakness, according to researchers, are all contributing causes.
The issue normally arises gradually and worsens with time. The following are some of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis:
- Knee joint pain, either during use or after a period of rest
- Tightness in the joints, which can be felt before you even wake up after a period of silence.
- Loss of mobility might make it difficult to operate a joint.
- When you use the joint, it gives you a grating sensation.
While there is no known cure for osteoarthritis, therapies can help patients manage their pain and maintain joint mobility so they can go about their everyday lives. Although drugs and joint replacement surgery are important parts of the treatment for osteoarthritis, your doctor will probably tell you to explore all other options first. In the future, medications and surgery may be required.
When you have mild osteoarthritis pain that is bothersome but not severe enough to interfere with everyday activities, your doctor may recommend rest. If the patient is feeling pain or irritation, they should rest the joint for 12 to 24 hours. Find activities that do not necessitate the use of the joint on a regular basis. Take a 10-minute break every hour.
With your doctor’s permission, you should engage in routine activities. Knee osteoarthritis can be helped by activities like walking, bicycling, or swimming. Exercise improves the strength and function of the joint, which improves its integrity. Joints that are tender, injured, or swollen should not be exercised.
Knee osteoarthritis is exacerbated by being overweight. Consult your physician about healthy and effective weight-loss choices. The majority of people combine dietary changes with more physical exercise.
Osteoarthritis pain that persists despite first treatment may necessitate the use of medicines in addition to other therapies. Continue exercising when possible and resting when necessary to get the most out of your treatment.
If you’ve tried prior therapies but are still suffering from significant pain and incapacity, talk to your doctor about further options, such as:
- Analgesics with greater potency
- injections of cortisone
- Visco-supplementation is a term used to describe the process of adding more viscosity to
Injections of hyaluronic acid derivatives can help alleviate knee discomfort by increasing the viscosity of the joint.
The surgical procedure is frequently prescribed for severe osteoarthritis that has become resistant to other treatments. If osteoarthritis makes it difficult to carry out daily chores, the patient may want to consider surgery. For end-stage osteoarthritis, total knee replacement is the preferred operation.
The most recent advancement is the Robotic Knee Replacement Technique, which is proven to be ground-breaking. With the use of a CT scan and high-end software, the surgeon can now determine the alignment, size, and type of the knee implant component prior to surgery. The fully automated ROBOT then flawlessly executes the plan during surgery, assuring sub-millimeter precision and precise cutting prior to component placement.
It necessitates smaller incisions, less surgical time, and less equipment, resulting in reduced post-operative pain and a quicker return to normal life. The operated knee closely resembles the original knee in appearance and function, and it performs admirably.
Robotic technology is undoubtedly the future of knee replacement surgery, and we are all equipped with the most recent innovations to ensure our patients’ pain-free lives.
Please keep in mind that not all patients will benefit from robotic knee replacement surgery. For more information, consult your physician.
