| Effective Management and Treatment of | | | | Treatment Components of Degenerative Knee |
| Degenerative Knee Disease | | | | Disease |
| Degenerative knee disease or Osteoarthritis of the | | | | The effective treatment and management program |
| knee is a progressive, irreversible condition that is | | | | focuses on the pain and mechanical components of |
| typically seen in people over 50 years of age. It is | | | | the degenerative knee disease. |
| brought on by the loss of cartilage in the knee, which | | | | Pain control and management is done by providing |
| can lead to stiffness, pain and eventual deformity | | | | appropriate intervention to treat both local pain and |
| and loss of motion. | | | | systemic pain. Over the counter pain medication and |
| Although this condition more commonly affects the | | | | non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications are |
| inner (medial) aspect of the knee it can also either | | | | typically recommended to manage the systemic pain |
| affect one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) sides of the | | | | whereas cryotherapy, intra-articular cortisone |
| knee. Symptoms for this condition typically develop | | | | injections and electrical stimulation can be done to |
| slowly over several years. | | | | control the local pain. Always speak to your physician |
| Primary Causes of Degenerative Knee Disease | | | | regarding the use of any medication. |
| Apart from direct causes such as aging, being | | | | The mechanical component of the treatment regimen |
| overweight and direct injury to the knee, the | | | | involves a comprehensive weight reducing program. |
| incidence and progression of osteoarthritis is also | | | | Being overweight puts excessive strain on the knees |
| related to a few other factors. These factors range | | | | and even if this was not the direct cause of the |
| from high impact stresses at one end to prolonged | | | | condition, it can aggravate the knee and cause it to |
| inactivity at the other.o Sports : Activities that result | | | | deteriorate even faster. Contrary to popular |
| in high impact stresses on the knee joint affect the | | | | misconception, exercising can actually be good if you |
| chondrocyte and matrix of the hyaline cartilage. This | | | | have degenerative knee disease. Not only does it |
| can lead to initial blistering and, when not properly | | | | help keep your weight down, it also helps keep the |
| managed, can lead to joint surface fissuring and | | | | knee flexible. The recommended activities will typically |
| erosion, which are precursors to degenerative knee | | | | be low impact such as swimming. |
| disease.oRepetitive motion and excessive pressure: | | | | The use of unloader knee braces is particularly |
| When applied to the knee joints can lead to the | | | | essential for effective management and treatment |
| degeneration of the hyaline cartilage. Although the | | | | of osteoarthritis. Studies have shown that the device |
| articular cartilage possesses high tolerance for such | | | | can effectively normalize joint mechanics and relieve |
| overload, severe and prolonged impact can lead to its | | | | pressure on the affected knee allowing for increased |
| deterioration.o On the other end of the spectrum, | | | | mobility and reduced pain in the joint. |
| prolonged inactivity can also lead to degeneration of | | | | If you wish to use a conservative and cost effective |
| the articular cartilage. Although it is far less common, | | | | treatment style you should consider an unloader knee |
| management and treatment are important especially | | | | brace today. |
| in situations that require prolonged immobilization. | | | | |