| |
 |
Knee Pain Caused by Osteoarthritis
- Do you have problems walking or climbing stairs comfortably?
- Is your ability to move limited by knee pain?
- Have you noticed an increase in your knee pain over the past few months?
- Are you not enough pain relief from your current medication or treatment?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, talk to one of our doctors. You may be suffering from osteoarthritis knee pain. We can help!
When it comes to osteoarthritis, you need to be informed. The Arthritis Foundation believes that patients with osteoarthritis who stay in charge of their own health fare better than those who let others pull the strings. To feel more in control, be informed - ask questions, read, and discuss your pain with one of our physicians.
To help you take control of your knee pain, this section provides information about osteoarthritis of the knee, what causes it and how to treat it.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease that affects the joints - the areas where your bones form hinges for movement.
Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease and affects nearly everyone by age 70. About 21 million people in the United States are affected by osteoarthritis.
Signs and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis may cause changes in the knee joint, which may result in knee pain and one or more of the following symptoms:
- Joint pain, especially with motion or movement
- Joint stiffness, especially in the morning and when standing up after sitting
- Limited joint motion or movement in the knee
- Inflammation (for example, redness and swelling around the joint)
- These typically occur after years of accumulated wear and tear on the joint.
What Causes Osteoarthritis?
Normally, smooth cartilage covers and protects the ends of your bones. In addition, fluid in the joint provides lubrication and extra cushioning. When you have osteoarthritis of the knee, the smooth cartilage gradually wears away and becomes softer (less protective), and the shock-absorbing and lubricating abilities of the joint fluid gradually decrease. These changes in the knee joint may cause knee pain.
Factors that may contribute to OA of the knee include:
- Job- or sports-related injuries
- Prior surgery
- Being overweight
- Poor bone positioning
- Family history
How is Osteoarthritis Treated?
Osteoarthritis of the knee cannot be cured, but there are many ways to manage the pain and stiffness that it causes. The type of treatment depends on the individual patient's stage of osteoarthritis and level of pain that he/she is experiencing.
Non-drug treatments
- avoiding activities that cause excess pain in your joints
- exercise
- physical therapy
- weight loss
Over-the-counter drug therapy
- painkillers such as acetaminophen (for example Tylenol®)
- drugs that reduce pain and inflammation such as aspirin, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
- agents (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (for example, Advil®, Motrin®) and naproxen (for example, Aleve®)
Prescription drug therapy
- NSAIDs such as Celebrex® and Mobic®
- Steroid injections
- Pain relievers such as narcotics (Percocet®) and Ultracet®
Some people with osteoarthritis of the knee may even require surgery.
Hyaluronan treatment
Another alternative is to treat the pain of osteoarthritis of the knee with a substance called hyaluronan. Hyaluronan (pronounced hi-al-yur-ON-an) is a natural chemical found in the body and present in particularly high amounts in joints. When injected into the joint, hyaluronan acts like a lubricant and shock absorber.
If you answer yes to any of these questions, you may be a candidate for Hyaluronan therapy.
- Have you tried nonprescription pain medication such as acetaminophen (for example, Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (for example, Advil®) for your osteoarthritis of the knee and not experienced enough pain relief?
YES | NO
- Are you unable to take or have you been told by your doctor to avoid aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen (for example, Aleve®) or ibuprofen, for your pain from osteoarthritis of the knee?
YES | NO
- Are you taking prescription medication for pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee that does not provide you with enough relief?
YES | NO
- Are you taking prescription medication for pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee that is causing side effects?
YES | NO
- Are you taking multiple medications for conditions other than osteoarthritis?
YES | NO
For more information about Hyalgan, click the following link: www.hyalgan.com
Click here to contact us today to find out more information or to schedule an appointment to see if this treatment is right for you.
|
|
|
I had suffered from allergies and clogged sinuses for about 17 years and had tried everything to make them better. Nothing worked very well. After only one treatment I could breathe better than I had in years. I would recommend Dr.Cevene to anyone.
Allen R. |
 View More Testimonials |
|
