Osteoarthritis in any joint can be a painful, aggravating and activity-altering condition. When osteoarthritis affects the weight-bearing joints of the body, however, especially the knee, it can have a potentially serious, life-changing impact on work, recreation and everyday living. There are several treatment options available for knee osteoarthritis, and each option corresponds to the severity of the symptoms.
Over-the-Counter Remedies
In the early or mild stages of knee osteoarthritis, symptoms may present only as mild aches or soreness that are relatively nonrestrictive. Most people at this level of symptoms typically find relief with the use of medications that can be purchased without a prescription, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These medications are typically available in doses lower than those of their prescription-strength counterparts but are strong enough to relieve the mild pain and inflammation that are present at this stage of the arthritic condition.
Activity Modification
Modifying the type and intensity of activity can go a long way in reducing symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. For example, people whose jobs require excessive standing, walking or climbing will benefit from duties that reduce the amount of prolonged weight bearing required on the knees. Occasional job modifications may be necessary to reduce stress on the knee joints adequately. Using elevators and escalators instead of stairs can also greatly reduce impact and stress on the knees.
Narcotic Pain Relievers
As the arthritic condition continues to progress, pain and inflammation also increase and progress. When over-the-counter treatments are no longer effective in controlling a patient's symptoms, he may require a narcotic pain medication. Doctors typically prescribe medications such as codeine, oxycodone and hydrocodone to treat moderate to severe pain from knee osteoarthritis. They may also prescribe narcotics in conjunction with stronger, prescription-strength anti-inflammatory agents to achieve sufficient relief.
Cortisone Injections
When pain, inflammation and mechanical symptoms, such as popping, cracking and occasional catching, of knee arthritis reach a level that requires more concentrated relief, patients may use corticosteroids, commonly known as cortisone, injections. These treatments bring substantial relief for several weeks. The use of cortisone injections is typically reserved until after other, less intensive treatment options are tried without success or are no longer effective in bringing meaningful relief of symptoms.
Physical Therapy
Different types of physical therapy modalities can provide relief from the pain and inflammation of knee osteoarthritis. Hot packs, ice application, assistive range-of-motion exercises and crutches or walkers that limit weight bearing can provide additional relief.
Therapy can be performed on land or in water. Aquatic therapy is rapidly becoming a preferred form of therapy because patients can exercise without the negative effects of gravity, which force them to place pressure on painful joints. The warm temperature and pressure of the surrounding water is also helpful in reducing swelling. Aquatic therapy can be very relaxing while still accomplishing treatment goals.
Surgery
Surgery is typically a last resort for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Surgery is not merely a salvage treatment option, however. For less severe arthritis, procedures such as knee arthroscopy, in which the knee joint can be "cleaned out," removing aggravating conditions such as a torn cartilage, loose bodies and inflamed synovial tissue, can provide substantial relief.
When all else has failed or the arthritis is too severe to treat using other therapies, knee joint replacement is the treatment of choice. Knee replacement surgery has emerged as a treatment option for end-stage arthritis. By replacing the arthritic joint surfaces with artificial components, a surgeon can nearly eliminate the pain of arthritis and restore more normal mobility to the patient. Patients can live, walk, work and even enjoy some sporting activities with knee replacements.
