Knee pain that makes it impossible to walk is a common symptom of osteoarthritis. This article will take you to know osteoarthritis in detail. From the symptoms to how to take care of the elderly with this disease so that you and your loved ones have a better quality of life.
What is osteoarthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis is a condition in which the cartilage inside the knee joint gradually erodes and is damaged. It causes pain when moving such as walking, running, sitting or standing for a long time. As a result, the patient feels pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the knee joint. The knee joint may become stiff when it starts to move, and there may be a rustling noise when it is moved. In addition, osteoarthritis can cause long-term knee joint deformity.
What causes osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is caused by the wear and tear of the cartilage in the knee joint, causing pain, swelling, and difficulty moving, which greatly affects the quality of life. The causes of osteoarthritis are varied. as follows.
- With age, cartilage naturally deteriorates.
- Changes in estrogen
- Excessive body weight in the knee joint will carry a lot of weight, causing cartilage to wear out faster.
- Standing or sitting for long periods of time or doing activities that put pressure on the knee joint often accelerates the deterioration of the knee joint.
- Disorders of joint structure
- Sports injuries or accidents, such as twisted knees. It can cause chronic inflammation and lead to osteoarthritis.
- various arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis. Gout and knee infections are also the causes of osteoarthritis.
Warning signs of osteoarthritis
1. Occasional knee pain
Many people experience intermittent knee pain, especially as they get older. The pain is often more severe when the knee is active, such as walking up and down stairs, standing for long periods of time, or performing activities that require frequent knee bending, which is a common symptom in osteoarthritis.
2. There is a rustling sound.
If you hear a rustling sound when you move your knee, it may be a sign that your knee joint is having problems, which is caused by friction between components within the knee joint, such as cartilage, which can lead to osteoarthritis. If you have any pain, you should immediately consult a doctor for the correct diagnosis and treatment. Timely treatment will help slow down the degeneration of the knee joint and relieve pain. so don’t just sit idly by the rustling of your knee joints, as it can be a warning sign of a more serious knee problem.
3. Knee joint jams
“The knee joint is stuck. Stiffness or stiffness” is a symptom that indicates that the knee joint is not easy to move, making it difficult to move. Patients often feel it clearly in the morning after waking up or after sitting still for a long time, and when they try to move their knees or stand or walk, they will feel stuck. Stiffness, not as agile as before.
4. Knee joint sensitivity
Patients with osteoarthritis often experience tingling in the knee area during movement, which is caused by structural abnormalities within the knee joint.
5. Swelling Red, hot, and sore pressure points.
In addition to the sensitivity in the knee area. The patient may experience swelling. This symptom is caused by a decrease in the accumulation of water in the knee joint and the formation of osteophyte (bone growth) around the knee joint. In addition, the inflammation causes heat and pain when pressed on the area, which some patients may notice swelling of the knee joint.
6. Knee joint deformity and deformity
In the severe stage of the disease, the knee joint will be deformed, such as bending. This makes walking and movement more difficult. It has a great impact on daily life. As a result, patients may lose the ability to do activities they used to enjoy, or even self-care becomes more difficult.
Who is at risk of osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a common health problem, especially among these people.
- The elderly, especially those aged 50 years and above, due to age-related deterioration of the cartilage in the knee joint.
- Women are more likely to suffer from osteoarthritis than men.
- Obese people Excess body weight will increase the impact on the knee joint, causing the knee joint to deteriorate faster.
- People who use heavy knees, such as people who have to squat regularly or play sports that put a lot of weight on the knee.
- People who have had an accident in the knee area Knee injuries in the past can cause the knee joint to deteriorate faster.
- Arthritis Patients Certain types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout, can cause osteoarthritis.
Stages of osteoarthritis
- Early stage: In the early stages, the knee joint will begin to deteriorate slightly, causing you to feel tight, stiff around the knee joint, or feeling inflexible when moving the knee, especially in the morning after waking up.
- Stage 2: You will feel more pain, especially when you move your knee or there is a loud knocking sound in the knee joint. The pain may be more severe when changing postures, such as standing up, standing for long periods of time, or walking up and down stairs.
- Phase 3 in this phase the pain will be noticeably more intense, especially when moving the knee joint, such as walking, running, or going up and down stairs. In addition, the knee joint may be swollen and inflamed. This can make it more difficult to perform daily routines, and you may feel tired more easily.
- Stage 4: When the disease enters a severe stage, the cartilage in the knee joint will be worn out almost completely, causing the bones to rub against each other directly. Severe and persistent pain occurs, even while resting, the knee joint may be deformed and swollen. This makes it more difficult to move and may require a walking aid.
What kind of knee pain should I see a doctor immediately?
Mild knee pain may not always need to be rushed to the doctor. However, if you have knee pain in the following ways, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible to get the correct diagnosis and treatment.
- Severe knee pain, even when not moving. Even when you are not doing any activity or while resting, it is a warning sign that should not be overlooked, it may indicate a serious knee problem such as inflammation of the knee joint or a more serious injury.
- Knee pain and swelling Bruising when your knee joint is swollen It can be a sign of a knee infection or other conditions that are more serious than general knee degeneration.
- If you feel pain in your knees, including not being able to bend your knee completely, it could be a sign of a tendon injury or other problems related to the knee joint, which can affect your mobility and long-term quality of life.
Medical Treatment Guidelines
Surgical treatment of knee osteoarthritis
Knee surgery will help correct the cause of pain caused by osteoarthritis. It makes the patient feel noticeably better. The knee prosthesis inserted will help the knee joint move better. This allows patients to walk, run, or do other activities more flexibly.
- Joint fixation surgery is suitable for patients with severe knee osteoarthritis and inability to move. Surgery will reduce the movement of the knee joint, thereby reducing pain.
- Knee replacement surgery is the most popular surgery. By replacing the degenerative part of the knee joint with an artificial knee joint. This allows the knee joint to move normally.
- Orthopaedic surgery to align It is used to correct the problem of deformed knee joints by cutting off excess bone to correct the alignment of the knee joint.
PRP Non-Surgical Treatment of Osteoarthritis
PRP is the process of taking your own blood and centrifuge it to extract a part called “platelet concentration”, which contains important nutrients called “growth factors” that stimulate cell regeneration and repair worn or injured tissue.
PRP helps wounds heal faster. Reduce pain and return to normal life because it uses the patient’s own blood. Therefore, there is very little risk.
How to care for the elderly with osteoarthritis
It is very important to take care of the elderly with osteoarthritis. Improve quality of life Behavioural modification and proper health care will effectively relieve pain and slow down the degeneration of the knee joint.
- Weight control because excessive body weight accelerates the deterioration of the knee joint. Losing weight will reduce the strain on the knee joint.
- Avoid inappropriate activities such as squatting or regular activities that exert force on the knee joint, which is a risk factor for faster knee deterioration.
- Exercises to strengthen the thigh muscles and muscles around the knee will reduce the force on the knee joint, making the knee joint stronger and more stable.
- Choosing the right activity, such as brisk walking, swimming, or yoga, is a good exercise option for people with osteoarthritis.
- Using a cane or other brace will reduce the force and support the knee joint, making it easier to move.
- Eat healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, vitamins, and proteins that help maintain healthy bones and joints.
- Adequate rest will allow the body to repair worn parts.
Conclusion
If you start to feel abnormalities in your knee joint, you should not rest still, you should consult a doctor for diagnosis and advice on the correct treatment. Early treatment will reduce the severity of the disease. It reduces pain and helps you or your loved one get back to life effectively.