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Unable to climb stairs Know about Osteoarthritis

OSTEOARTHRITIS OF KNEE

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of arthritis.It is defined as degeneration  of joint cartilage and underlying bone that worsens over time,often resulting in chronic pain.

Most common cause of Osteoarthritis of knee is

1. Age - Healing of the cartilage decreases as a person gets older
2. Weight - Weight increases pressure on all joints especially knees, which increases chances of Osteoarthritis .
3. Hereditary - This may be due to genetic mutations that predispose abnormalities in the shape of bones that surround knee joins.
4. Gender - Woman are more likely to develop Osteoarthritis  than men.
5. Stress Injuries - Repetitive stress injuries which includes lifting of heavy weight, kneeling,squatting are more likely to develop Osteoarthritis.
6. Athletes - Athletes like tennis players, running are at high risk of developing osteoarthritis. They should take precautions to avoid injuries.
7. Associated disorder- People with rheumatoid  arthritis are more likely to develop Osteoarthritis .

SYMPTOMS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

1. Pain that increases when you are active or walking and gets relieved by taking rest.
2. Swelling and warmth around the joint.
3. Stiffness in the knee in the morning or sitting for a long time.
4. Cracking sound is heard when the knee joint movement occurs.

DIAGNOSIS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

1. Medical history, physical examination,X-ray knee,MRI scans.

TREATMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

1. Exercises - Stretching exercises help to keep the knee joint mobile and flexible.Muscle strengthening around the knee joint makes the joint more stable and decreases pain.
2. Weight loss - Weight reduction decreases knee pain from  Osteoarthritis
3. Analgesics and Anti inflammatory drugs
4. Use these medication according to doctors advice can decrease pain.
5. Steroids - Corticosteroids around knee acts as anti inflammatory drug. Hyaluronic injection also acts as lubricating fluid.
6. Topical analgesic creams can also be used for relief of pain.
7. Platelets with plasma injections to promote healing.
8. Braces - uses of braces can support knee joint.
9. Physical Therapy - A physical therapy includes a therapist, who shows exercises to strengthen muscles around joint.
10. Occupational Therapy - Occupational therapist helps to do work without extra stress on already painful joint.
11. TENS - It uses a low voltage electrical current to relieve pain and provides a short termrelief for people with knee and hip Osteoarthritis.

When medical management fails then surgical treatment is preferred.

1. Arthroscopic surgery - It is  outpatient procedure where repair of damaged joints, removing loose cartilage, repairing cartilage tears and smoothening of bone surfaces.
2. Joint replacement surgery