Six Options for Treatments for Knee Arthritis in Gramercy Park

Don’t Let Knee Arthritis in Gramercy Park Keep You Down and Out

Arthritis is a common disease that affects millions of people around the world. While we generally think about arthritis affecting the elderly, it can be seen in people of all ages. Arthritis can develop in any joint in the body, but as one of the most highly used and load-bearing joints in the body, the knee is particularly susceptible to arthritis.

If you or a loved one are suffering from the pain and discomfort of arthritis, then looking into your treatment options for knee arthritis in Gramercy Park should be a top priority. Arthritis can be disabling, but the orthopaedic experts at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute have treated thousands of arthritis patients with outstanding results. Don’t allow knee arthritis to control your life any longer.

Types of Knee Arthritis

There are a number of different types of arthritis which may affect the knee joint. The most common cause of arthritis in the knee is:

Osteoarthritis: This is the type of arthritis caused by wear and tear over time. The ends of the bones in the joint are covered with cartilage to provide smooth surfaces for motion. Over time, the cartilage wears down, resulting in friction within the joint. This friction causes pain, inflammation, and limited range of motion.

While osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, other types that may affect your knees include:

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease and can affect people of all ages. The body releases enzymes which attack the linings of the joint, resulting in pain, swelling, stiffness, malformation, and limited mobility and function.

Posttraumatic Arthritis: This type of arthritis develops as the result of an injury— sometimes many years after the injury occurred. Fractures, sprains, strains, and tendon or ligament tears can all result in extra wear occurring within the joint and causing arthritis to develop.

Treatments for Knee Arthritis in Gramercy Park

If you have received a diagnosis of knee arthritis in Gramercy Park, then you should pursue treatment options right away. Delaying treatment will only result in the worsening of the condition and further complications when you do pursue treatment. The earlier the condition is addressed, the better the chances of successful nonoperative treatment.

It is always best to pursue non-operative treatments first and only to pursue surgery if those methods are insufficient. There are many highly successful ways to treat and manage arthritis. Talk to your doctor about the options available to you. Treatment options may include:

• Lifestyle Changes:

  • Avoid activities that cause pain and inflammation.

  • Switch from high-impact to low-impact sports and activities. Staying active is actually very important for keeping your joints healthy even with arthritis. Choosing biking or swimming can help maintain joint strength and health without adding extra aggravation.

  • Improving your diet and losing weight can have huge benefits in managing arthritis. Less weight means less stress on joints. Eating well can help manage your weight as well as help reduce inflammation and promote healthy joints— this may be especially important for those with rheumatoid arthritis knee.

• Physical Therapy: There are specific knee arthritis exercises that you can use to help increase your range of motion and flexibility while also strengthening the muscles surrounding the joint. Stronger muscles help to take the stress off of the joint and reduce instability and friction.

• Walking Supports: Using a cane, special shoes or inserts, or a knee brace may help to reduce strain on the joint. Caution should be used when considering a cane or walker as these devices may shift the weight to other joints causing further problems later on.

• Medications: You may be able to manage your arthritis pain through the use of over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs. Talk to your doctor about what medications are best for you.

• Home Remedies: Some other techniques for managing arthritis knee pain treatment at home include applying heat or ice and using pain-relief ointments or creams.

• Surgery: If these nonsurgical treatments don’t reduce your discomfort, then you should talk to your physician about the possibility of surgery. Many patients with arthritis have found drastic improvement through a total knee replacement.

Arthritis has the potential to drastically limit your life, but the experts at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute can help prevent that. Please visit us here or contact us at 1-800-321-9999 to learn more about treating your knee arthritis in Gramercy Park.