Knee Joint Osteoarthritis Causes Prevention and Treatment
Causes & risk factors, prevention and treatment options for knee joint Osteoarthritis
Knee Osteoarthritis is defined as inflammation of knee joint, affecting articular cartilage, synovium, margins of bones therefore causing pain on walking, swelling and stiffness of joints.
There can be a number of reasons of this disease for example any trauma, autoimmune diseases, hemochromatosis, increasing age, obesity, previous joint injury, overuse or disuse of the joint, weak thigh muscle, genetic factors, acromegaly and rheumatoid arthritis. Whereas, some of these causes and risk factors are not possible to convert like genetics, age, race etc
Prevention
A variety of confounding factors may place an individual at potential risk for creating OA. However, making modifications may not avoid this condition, but an individual may still be able to decrease their potential risk or stop OA from progression. For instance:
Maintaining your body weight
As extra weight brings undue stress on the knees so with time, it accelerates to wear the cartilage down.
Excess fat can often trigger the body to release cytokines, which is a form of protein. It can contribute to extensive inflammation and can alter the process by which cartilage cells function.
Maintaining blood sugar level
Certainly, High concentrations of glucose can influence cartilage composition and function, and diabetes raises the likelihood of damage & inflammation of cartilage.
Exercising routinely
Truly, moderate workout can assist the joints remain flexible, strengthen the muscles that hold the knees, and decrease the danger of several health problems. Therefore, if one has not exercised for a lengthy interval of time, should consult a physician for guidance on how to do this.
Eliminating the danger of injury
In fact, cartilage that assists to prevent accidental injury is more probable to create arthritis subsequently. Decrease the risk of slipping, carry well-fitting shoes, and use protective equipment when practicing athletics to avoid any accident.
Conducting posture and bone alignment tests
Surprisingly, gait evaluation as well as other examinations can assist doctors to assess bone alignment and posture. Some reports indicate that these may influence a person’s risk of increasing OA.
Knee Joint Osteoarthritis Causes Preventing overuse
Several athletics or tasks require repeated knee joint movements, including running or squatting. Individuals who lift more than 55 pounds frequently can have an exaggerated likelihood of OA. Occupations that place individuals at risk may include the fixing carpets and loading trucks or trains. Changing tasks and having enough breaks between times of job or workout may benefit.
Treatment options
Depending on the stage of disease, we have different treatment options like anti-inflammatory drugs, pain killers, injections like steroid and hyaluronic acid, Physical therapy, TENS, Electrotherapy, hydrotherapy and surgery which is the last option for grade 4 OA.
Knee Joint Osteoarthritis Causes Prevention and Treatment Conclusion
Hence, Osteoarthritis of knee is an inflammation of the joint causing pain, swelling and stiffness of joint. We can prevent it by managing certain risk factors that include, weight maintenance, blood sugar level maintenance, exercising daily and preventing disuse and misuse. As there is various treatment options so one must go to physician to prevent the disease progression.