Treatment of Degenerative Knee Disease - What to Do When Your Knee is Screaming in Pain!

Effective Management and Treatment of Degenerative Knee Disease

Degenerative knee disease or Osteoarthritis of the knee is a progressive, irreversible condition that is typically seen in people over 50 years of age. It is brought on by the loss of cartilage in the knee, which can lead to stiffness, pain and eventual deformity and loss of motion.

Although this condition more commonly affects the inner (medial) aspect of the knee it can also either affect one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) sides of the knee. Symptoms for this condition typically develop slowly over several years.

Primary Causes of Degenerative Knee Disease

Apart from direct causes such as aging, being overweight and direct injury to the knee, the incidence and progression of osteoarthritis is also related to a few other factors. These factors range from high impact stresses at one end to prolonged inactivity at the other.

o Sports : Activities that result in high impact stresses on the knee joint affect the chondrocyte and matrix of the hyaline cartilage. This can lead to initial blistering and, when not properly managed, can lead to joint surface fissuring and erosion, which are precursors to degenerative knee disease.

oRepetitive motion and excessive pressure: When applied to the knee joints can lead to the degeneration of the hyaline cartilage. Although the articular cartilage possesses high tolerance for such overload, severe and prolonged impact can lead to its deterioration.

o On the other end of the spectrum, prolonged inactivity can also lead to degeneration of the articular cartilage. Although it is far less common, management and treatment are important especially in situations that require prolonged immobilization.

Treatment Components of Degenerative Knee Disease

The effective treatment and management program focuses on the pain and mechanical components of the degenerative knee disease.

Pain control and management is done by providing appropriate intervention to treat both local pain and systemic pain. Over the counter pain medication and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications are typically recommended to manage the systemic pain whereas cryotherapy, intra-articular cortisone injections and electrical stimulation can be done to control the local pain. Always speak to your physician regarding the use of any medication.

The mechanical component of the treatment regimen involves a comprehensive weight reducing program. Being overweight puts excessive strain on the knees and even if this was not the direct cause of the condition, it can aggravate the knee and cause it to deteriorate even faster. Contrary to popular misconception, exercising can actually be good if you have degenerative knee disease. Not only does it help keep your weight down, it also helps keep the knee flexible. The recommended activities will typically be low impact such as swimming.

The use of unloader knee braces is particularly essential for effective management and treatment of osteoarthritis. Studies have shown that the device can effectively normalize joint mechanics and relieve pressure on the affected knee allowing for increased mobility and reduced pain in the joint.

If you wish to use a conservative and cost effective treatment style you should consider an unloader knee brace today.