Stiff and sore joints are a reality for most of us as we get older. Normally, our body secretes natural lubricants that reduce friction between the joint surfaces. Knee osteoarthritis increases friction in the joint causing the protective layers of cartilage on joint surfaces to slowly break down. Gel injections for knee osteoarthritis contain hyaluronic acid which can provide relief by improving joint lubrication. Treatments aimed at decreasing joint friction are also known as viscosupplementation. According to experts12, if you’ve tried exercising, dietary changes, and other painkilling drugs with no success, this treatment could be for you.
One of the primary effects of knee osteoarthritis is the degeneration of cartilage. Knee cartilage is crucial for normal joint function as it provides protective cushioning for the bony surfaces of the joint and stops them from coming into direct contact with one another. In many cases of moderate or severe osteoarthritis, the pain and disability associated with bone on bonecontact is an important factor in the decision to undergoknee replacement surgery. Stem cell injections for knee arthritis may one day provide patients with a less invasive alternative to the common surgical procedures used today. Not only can stem cells potentially help relieve pain caused by knee osteoarthritis, they may also be able to slow, or even reverse the degeneration of cartilage.
If your knee osteoarthritis has driven you to consider knee replacement surgery, keep reading. For many with moderate or severe knee osteoarthritis, surgery can seem inevitable. While knee replacement surgery is a well established and effective treatment option, reluctance to undergo the procedure is understandable. Knee replacements can be expensive and the recovery can be difficult. Fortunately, recent innovations in osteoarthritis knee brace technology may help you to reduce your consumption of painkillers and avoid or dramatically delay the need for surgery.
PRP (platelet-rich-plasma) therapy has been gaining popularity recently owing to its promise in a number of areas such as hair regeneration, wound healing, skin rejuvenation, and slowing the progression of arthritis. A variety of high-profile athletes have also touted the benefits of PRP for the knee joint. Many claim the shots have helped them during their recovery from sport-related injury. Currently, over 80,000 athletes are treated with PRP every year.1
Knee bracing solutions are increasing in popularity, particularly with the advent of tri-compartment unloading technology. This recent advancement in knee bracing technology now provides all knee osteoarthritis patients the opportunity to relieve their knee pain. There are more product choices than ever before and as a consequence, more diligence is required to ensure you select the product that best fits your situation. Choosing the wrong knee brace for arthritis can lead to frustration and disappointment as it will provide only a slight benefit. Choosing the right brace could afford you with life-changing increases in mobility, reduced pain, and confidence. What brace is right for you? It all depends on the pattern of knee arthritis you have.
We all take our ability to walk for granted until we are set back by crippling pain. The average American walks 7000-13000 steps per day.1 Over your lifetime, that’s a lot of steps! Each one of these strides applies pressure to our lower limbs and it all starts at the foot. The way in which the foot interacts with the ground can have a major influence on the stress applied to upstream joints, especially your knees. Consequently, the type of shoe you wear can influence any nagging knee pain when walking.
Knee pain when squatting has many possible causes. Both joint inflexibility and poor muscle stability are usually contributing factors. You don’t have to be a yogi, but keeping your joints limber may help move stress away from your knees. Fortunately, it is possible to dramatically improve joint mobility in just one short stretching session. The bad news is that these mobility changes will disappear quickly if not maintained through consistent exercise. Getting into a proper routine is essential. Below are the key areas to focus on and simple exercises to try at home!
More than a quarter of adults suffer from regular bouts of knee pain. It’s really no surprise as our knees handle a tremendous amount stress day-to-day.1-2 Scientists have found that for every pound of bodyweight, our knees are subjected to up to seven pounds of pressure when they are bent or in weight-bearing.3 If you’re here, it is because you’ve noticed that your knee hurts when bending it, is painful walking down stairs and feels uncomfortable while squatting. The fix for this really depends on the diagnosis. Below are some common causes of knee pain.
Water on the knee is characterized by the accumulation of fluid and inflammation around the knee joint. When this occurs your knee may appear puffy and larger than usual. You may also find that it feels stiff and painful when you place weight on it and is sore to the touch. All of this can cause discomfort while walking up and down stairs, kneeling, and squatting. If you are experiencing symptoms of water on the knee you should consult your doctor to determine the best course of treatment for you.
Are you considering getting cortisone shots in your knee? Although cortisone (corticosteroid) injections have been used for the past fifty years, some physicians are concerned that they may have adverse long-term side effects. Despite this, many patients experience significant pain relief from corticosteroid shots – depending on your circumstances this treatment may be right for you.
