Osteoarthritis is the scourge of the elderly. One area of the body that is prone to developing osteoarthritis in the knees. The elderly use their knees a lot when they move around, and the knees support their entire body weight. Osteoarthritis tends to be genetic. However, bad joints, knee injuries, and strenuous activities are also responsible. The elderly tend to lose muscle and bone mass as they age. These two can also lead to osteoarthritis.
People who are overweight, have a genetic history of knee osteoarthritis, or get hurt in their knees are more likely to get painful arthritis in their knees. The knees have a padding of joint tissue and cartilage, which keeps them from painfully rubbing up against other bones. When these wear down, the knee bones tend to splinter into spurs or harden. People get arthritis in their knees when this occurs.
The problem can worsen if a membrane that naturally produces lubricating fluid becomes inflamed and starts to have much more liquid than needed. It is the Synovus. An overactive Synovus causes ‘water of the knee!’ Sometimes, knee bones and joints experience wear and tear with regular activity as people age. They get deformed, and this results in painful knee osteoarthritis.
Being obese and getting knee arthritis
People who are overweight are more likely to get arthritis in their knees. Many doctors find that this arthritis disappears when these people lose as few as 10 pounds. Even a little extra weight can add several more pounds of stress and pressure on the knees. The statistics speak the truth. 56% of overweight people suffer from knee arthritis. On the other hand, only 15% of people with a normal BMI suffer from this problem.
Overweight women are four times more likely to get knee arthritis than women with normal BMI. Fat men were five times more likely to get this painful condition than their counterparts with weight in the normal range.
Symptoms of Knee Arthritis
- Pain with activities
- Intermittent or steady pain
- Limited range of motion
- Swelling or tenderness
- Stiffness when getting up from sitting or lying down
- Grinding or crunching sounds
- Pain with passive motion
Medicine can help
Knee osteoarthritis is incurable, and implants of knee cartilage have failed so far. Many people rely on over-the-counter painkillers. However, this relief is temporary, and painkillers have many undesirable side effects. These include stomach and digestive issues, headaches, and dizziness.
Painkillers can worsen arthritis over time by keeping the body from developing the new cartilage, which would help insulate the knees. It eventually results in the knees and their joints deteriorating even further.
That said, some doctors are exploring surgical procedures like arthroscopic and knee replacement surgery. However, only a few hospitals like Everest can do this well. Everest is one of these.
People need to make sure that their weight is in their normal BMI ranges. They also need to vary their work routines, do physiotherapy, and do moderate exercises whenever possible. It will lessen the severity of knee arthritis. They can also explore other holistic treatment methods.
Some of these include:
- Acupuncture
- Ointments
- Prescription drugs
- Magnetic pulse therapy
- Vitamins
- Gel and lotion-based pain relievers
Once again, Everest is one of the few hospitals that provide this. Holistic treatment methods tend to be far more effective, and they tend to work better when delivered in a clinical setting. That’s why it’s essential to find hospitals like Everest for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
People who try holistic treatment should remember that these can only provide temporary relief. Prescription-based medicines tend to provide longer-term relief, but people need a doctor’s permission (in the form of a prescription) to get them!
