Arthritis of the knee joints may occur as a result of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or post-traumatic arthritis (arthritis due to knee injury). Each of these conditions can cause damage to cartilage and joint alignment, resulting in pain and limited range of movement. There are many nonsurgical, medical, alternative and surgical treatments available to help people looking for relief from pain and impaired flexibility and mobility.
Nonsurgical Treatment
Nonsurgical methods of therapy are typically a first-line approach to treatment, especially in the early stages of arthritis in the knee joint. Initially, heat or ice, liniments or elastic bandages may be used on the affected knee(s). Lifestyle modifications such losing weight, minimizing activities that aggravate the knee, and substituting painful weight-bearing exercises (running or jumping) with other exercises that are easier on the joints (swimming or cycling) are often recommended. Physical therapy and exercises that increase range of motion and flexibility may also prove useful in strengthening the muscles around the knee to take some pressure off of the joint.
Finally, support devices like a cane, knee brace or sleeve or energy-absorbing shoe inserts may also be helpful.
Medical Treatment
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen and naprosyn, along with a class of drugs called Cox-2 inhibitors, may be prescribed for pain relief and to reduce inflammation. In some cases, steroid injections are given, although they are not suitable for long-term use. Another nonsurgical option is viscosupplementation which involves repeated injections of a viscous fluid into the joints to improve mobility and relieve pain. A special treatment called gold salt injections may also be used exclusively for those with rheumatoid arthritis.
Surgical Treatment
Surgical treatment is generally considered only after an individual has not shown progress in response to other less invasive treatments. There are several surgical options available and the most appropriate surgery depends upon the type of arthritis and extent of the joint damage. Those who have limited or contained amounts of cartilage loss may be eligible for cartilage grafting, while others may benefit from arthroscopic surgery that allows a surgeon to clean out debris and repair torn cartilage using fiber optics.
An osteotomy--a surgery in which the tibia (shinbone) or femur (thighbone) is cut--can help to improve alignment of the knee joint. Finally, a total or partial knee arthroplasty can be performed to replace damaged knee cartilage with a prosthetic joint made from durable metal and plastic materials.
Alternative Treatment
Alternative treatments are available for knee joint arthritis; however, their scientific effectiveness has not been evaluated, so it is unclear to what extent they will help alleviate symptoms and for what types of arthritis they may work best. One common alternative treatment is acupuncture, an ancient practice involving the placement of hair-thin needles into pressure points on the skin in an effort to relieve pain. Magnetic pulse therapy--applying a pulse to the knee while it is in an electromagnetic field--is another example. Finally, there is anecdotal evidence that glucosamine and chondroitin supplements improve joint mobility and reduce pain; however, there is currently insufficient scientific evidence to evaluate these claims.
