Hip and knee osteoarthritis, treatment options

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that originates in the deterioration of articular cartilage. Among specialists in Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery there is consensus that self - care and patient education are essential. The practice of aerobic physical activity (walking, cycling), the water exercises, muscle strengthening and weight loss when indicated have been shown to be beneficial to treat the problem.

There are different treatment options available such as pharmacology, infiltrations or as a last resort, surgery prosthetics.

Arthrosis, treatment with drugs

Within drug treatment, painkillers are the first choice. However, anti-inflammatories are more effective in cases of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.

Injections for osteoarthritis

Corticoid infiltrations are effective although there is great variability in the duration of effect and are not recommended in diabetic patients. On the other hand, infiltrations with hyaluronic acid may have a greater effect on knee osteoarthritis. Currently, the infiltration of platelet rich plasma (PRP) is an option that has better results than the previous thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory effect, resulting in pain relief.

Prosthetic surgery in cases of osteoarthritis

The last of the treatments is prosthetic surgery, although regenerative stem cell therapy starts giving favorable experimental results.

Prostheses are currently the most predictable treatment for severe osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. It must take into account that the indication is based on complementary examinations but symptoms. Current prostheses have long enough follow-up to deliver excellent results with expert surgeons.

Whatever treatment is performed, patient involvement from the start with measures such as weight control, physical activity and well muscled encourage the success of any of them.

Edited by Noelia García Pino