According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, osteoarthritis, or OA, is the most common form of arthritis, and it causes pain, swelling and decreased joint range of motion. Although OA—which breaks down joint cartilage—can occur in any joint, it often affects the hands, hips, spine and knees. Knee OA may be caused by obesity, muscle imbalances around a joint or joint trauma, and standard knee OA treatments include anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections and physical therapy.
Proper Footwear
Wearing inappropriate footwear can have a significant effect on the development of knee OA and knee joint degeneration. According to a 2006 study by Najia Shakoor and Joel A. Block published in the journal "Arthritis & Rheumatism," wearing shoes may increase loads on lower extremity joints, including the knees. Shakoor and Block note that the habitual wearing of conventional footwear boosts the prevalence and progression of knee OA. According to Daniel Howell, a professor of anatomy and physiology at Liberty University and the author of "The Barefoot Book," heel elevation built into most shoes, including running shoes, is one of the principle causes of knee OA. Dr. Ray McClanahan, a Portland, Ore.-based sports podiatrist, agrees with Howell, adding that other problematic design features in conventional footwear that may contribute to knee OA include tapering toe boxes, toe spring and rigid, inflexible soles. Footwear that may help reduce knee OA includes shoes that are flat or have no heel elevation, are widest in the toe box and possess a flexible sole.
Cold Laser Therapy
Cold laser therapy, also known as low level laser therapy or LLLT, is an alternative treatment method for injuries and pain. Cold laser therapy uses light energy to enhance tissue regeneration, decrease inflammation and reduce pain or discomfort. Many physicians use cold laser therapy to treat musculoskeletal conditions, such as contusions, fractures and OA. Cold laser therapy may help reduce osteoarthritis-related pain or discomfort and improve joint range of motion in the knee. A 2010 study led by Samir W. Aziz published in "The Journal of American Science" concluded that cold laser therapy significantly decreases osteoarthritis-related pain and other symptoms. The researchers also report that, if a person is simultaneously taking medication to combat osteoarthritis and receiving cold laser therapy, the medication's negative side effects will be blunted or reduced.
Diet Supplementation
Certain types of nutritional supplements may help treat knee osteoarthritis. According to a 2009 study by J. Gruenwald and colleagues published in the journal "Advances In Therapy," the combination and synergistic effects of omega-3 fats and glucosamine sulfate helps reduce osteoarthritis-related pain. For knee osteoarthritis, the body needs glucosamine sulfate—which is a precursor for glycosaminoglycans, a principle component of joint cartilage—to help rebuild cartilage and synovial fluid. Gruenwald states that the body also needs omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil or krill oil, for its anti-inflammatory properties. According to a 2007 review article by J. E. Chrubasik and colleagues published in the journal "Phytotherapy Research," other nutritional supplements that may be effective for treating OA-related pain include avocado soybean unsaponifiables—a natural vegetable extract made from avocado and soybean oils—along with Devil's Claw, ginger and rose hip and seed powder.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Osteoarthritis
- "Arthritis and Rheumatism"; Walking Barefoot Decreases Loading on the Lower Extremity Joints; Najia Shakoor, et al.; September 2006
- "The Journal of American Science;" Cold Laser as a Complementary Drug; Samir W. Aziz et al.; 2010
- "Advances In Therapy"; Effect of Glucosamine Sulfate; J. Gruenwald et al.; September 2009
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Herbal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs; J. E. Chrubasik et al.; 2007
