KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Knee prosthesis is the best alternative to improve quality of life in those who suffer from severe pain and have mobility problems. Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent pathologies that has the most impact on the well-being of adults over the age of 50.

They find it difficult to climb or down stairs, walk or play a sport. The older the symptoms are more severe; pain, creaks and swelling in the knee. Because of this, they lose the ability - to varying degrees - to move freely. On average, at age 65 is when knee braces increase.

For young people, those who play high-impact, rebound sports have increased joint damage, they are also candidates for joint replacement surgery in Delhi due to joint cartilage wear or osteoarthritis.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a disease caused by changes in the structure of cartilage, in which their basic components are lost and this leads to dehydration and thinning of joint cartilage. It can affect all joints, although it is most common in hands, spine, hip, knee and ankle.

It is a disease of unknown cause, associated with genetic factors.

There are other less common causes called secondary osteoarthritis, where there is a common basis origin: overweight, prior trauma, metabolic diseases or rheumatism, such as arthritis. In the case of knee osteoarthritis, this joint is part of the mechanical body weight loading system and, for this reason, is more exposed to cartilage wear.

Cartilage is a layer of tissue, softer than bone, that lines the surface of the joints.

Over time, when worn wear, bone ends deform, leading to bone overgrowth and osteophyte formation (so-called "parrot peaks"), bone bumps that cause the joints to rub, causing pain, swelling and loss of mobility.

Symptoms

"Difficulties putting on socks or shoes, sitting on low furniture, knee pain when climbing stairs or slopes are among the most common complaints of initial osteoarthritis. They also tend to have discomfort at night, at rest, when they move during sleep," says orthopaedic in Delhi Dr. Ashoo Consul, expert on hip and knee.

In the face of any pain that tends to repeat itself, even if it is not constant, an evaluation is recommended, because when it is permanent and more intense it can be late for solutions.

Tests and diagnosis

For the diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis, clinical examination or evaluation by the best knee surgeon in Delhi is critical. Depending on this one, the exams are complementary and range from a simple X-ray to an MRI with contrast.

"Diagnosis involves certain treatments, which depend on the stage of osteoarthritis.

If it's initial, you may have conservative medical management. However, if patients have an important degree of joint destruction, with variable degree disability due to pain and deformity, surgery is recommended, to improve their quality of life", notes the orthopaedic surgeon in Delhi.

Treatment

Before knee replacement in Delhi, there are several medical treatment alternatives. However, osteoarthritis is a progressive chronic disease, which has no cure with medication and is irreversible.

Conservative measures: Prior to the prosthesis, treatments for moderate osteoarthritis are as follows:

• Anti-inflammatory Drugs: These medications help relieve knee pain and decrease inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.
• Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate: are medicines that act by trying to regenerate the cartilage worn by osteoarthritis
• Templates: The use of silicone gel damping insoles is recommended
• Orthosis: It is a special knee brace that is indicated when the knee is deviated, either very close knees or arched. The treatment that is most accommodating varies on a case-by-case basis, so it is advisable to consult the orthopaedic doctor in Delhi.
• Weight management: Overweight and obesity aggravate osteoarthritis symptoms. This is why it is advisable to visit an orthopaedic in Dwarka, nutritionist or nutritionist, who will evaluate the patient's condition to indicate a balanced diet and achieve their ideal weight.
• Kinesiotherapy: The recommended exercises are of flexibility of low or no impact, which improve muscle tone and mobility of the joint; done three times a week and with professional supervision, can improve a person's quality of life by increasing their abilities. Water activities also increase cardiovascular capacity. Improving quality of life is the best way to slow down the needs of a prosthesis.
• Biological surgery: When the damage is not extensive and the patients are younger. Biological surgery is used in areas that have lost cartilage with mechanical and biological stimuli, such as hyaluronic acid, platelet concentrate, and stem cells. "Biological surgery is generally designed for a single opportunity. Try to restore knee function for more vigorous activities. It's for less serious focal injuries and younger patients," explains surgeon at orthopaedic clinic in Delhi.

Surgery

Once the damage to the knee is more advanced and diffuse, especially in older patients, surgery is indicated as treatment. Arthroplasty or prosthetic surgery is aimed at both calming pain and returning the patient's joint mobility and muscle activity.

Thus, prostheses are indicated when the triggering disease has been aggressive enough, when there is a large pain or alteration of the function of this joint.

A prosthesis is an artificial part designed to replace a natural joint that is damaged and cannot be repaired.

This procedure replaces all damaged cartilage with a new artificial surface. "These new surfaces are usually a combination of noble metals and high-strength plastics. There are different types of surgeries: unicompartmental (partial prostheses) and total prostheses," explains orthopaedic in West Delhi.

Recovery

"Knee replacement in West Delhi is for more advanced and diffuse damage in older patients. It is a major surgery, so the hospital stay is between three and five days, but patients go home autovalent, walking with the help of a cane and oral analgesia," says orthopedic in Delhi. Recovery from knee replacement surgery is slow and painful and, in most patients, it takes about two months, improving up to a year after surgery.

Meanwhile, unicompartmental or partial prosthetic surgery has the advantage of being a less invasive intervention and with a much faster functional recovery, than the total. Prosthetic knee surgery is endorsed as one of the most beneficial medical procedures in recovering patients' quality of life.