Taking Control Of Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)

What is Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)?

 

• A degenerative joint disease or ‘wear and tear’ arthritis that occurs when the protective cartilage within the knee joint wears away. 
• It can affect anyone at any age, but it is most common in people over 50 and affects women more than men.  
• Knee OA is caused by cartilage degeneration (from frank trauma or repetitive mechanical stress). There is also a very strong correlation between knee OA & obesity.

 

How to tell if your knee pain is due to OA?

If you have osteoarthritis of the knee, you might feel that your knee:

• Has pain all around the knee joint, or just in specific part of the knee, such as the front or side.
• Is painful and stiff at times, affecting one or both leg(s).
• Is worse at the end of the day, or when you move/load your knee e.g. going up or down stairs.
• Is better when you rest.
• Might have some stiffness in the morning, but usually lasting not more than half an hour.

 

How to manage Knee OA symptoms?

 

Some simple self-management strategies you can to start with:

1. Balancing rest and activity
   • During the first 24 to 48 hours after your knee problem has started, you could:
     • Rest your knee, but avoid having long periods where you don’t move at all.
     • When you are awake, move your knee gently for 10 to 20 seconds every hour.
   • After 48 hours:
     • Try to progressively use your leg more, as movement can help with long-term pain.
   • Avoid heavy lifting until your pain has gone down and you have good range of movement in your knee.
   • Low-impact exercise, such as pedalling/cycling and swimming may be a gentle way to start.
2. Weight management
   • Carrying extra body weight makes it more likely that you will get joint pain in the first place. If you have joint pain already, being overweight can make it worse. Losing even a small amount of weight can make a big difference to knee pain.
3. Heat/ice packs
   • Heat is an effective and safe treatment for most aches and pains. You could use a wheat bag or gel heat pack.
     • Gentle warmth will be enough – there is a risk of burns if the item is too hot. You should check your skin regularly, and you should try to place a towel between the item and your skin.
     • Heat should not be used on a acute pain or new knee injury. Doing this might increase the inflammatory response and could make the problem worse.
     • For safety, try not to have the heated item on your skin for longer than 10 minutes.
   • Many people find that icing is helpful when used to manage acute knee pain. Ice packs can be made from ice cubes placed in a plastic bag, or you may also buy a gel cold pack from a pharmacy.
     • With use, check the colour of your skin after 5 minutes. If it is bright pink or red, remove the ice bag/cold pack.
     • For safety, try not to leave the cold pack on your skin for longer than 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Suitable footwear, example getting sensible shoes with adequate arch supports if you have flat feet.

 

When to seek help for your OA knee pain?

Sometimes, your knee pain persists despite resting or even after taking over-the-counter painkiller. Perhaps you might even experience knee swelling/giving way problem. Thus it is wise to consult the doctor and physiotherapist to properly address the condition and support its recovery.

The doctor will assess your knee condition and determine prescription medication needed to optimise the management of knee pain. In some instances, medical imaging maybe needed.

The physiotherapist will help to address your movement impairments from the knee pain. You will be assessed and receive an individualised treatment program based on your problem. Based on the physiotherapist’s assessment findings and your goal(s), your treatment plan may include some of the following: 

• Advice on activity modification, walking aid prescription, knee support recommendation & footwear selection

• Gait/movement re-education
• Hands-on treatment e.g. manual therapy & movement facilitation 
• Therapeutic modality use e.g. Ultrasound therapy, Electrical stimulation treatment or SIS therapy
• Individualised exercise program to optimise movement and reduce the knee pain 

Do not hesitate to book your appointment with us today.

Please give us a call at 62882789 or WhatsApp us at 98561438.