Treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee

Written by: Dr. Adolfo Lafuente Cuenca

Published: 26/01/2017

Edited by: Patricia Fernández Ramos

Anatomy of the Knee

The knee joint is constituted by the distal femur, the proximal region of the tibia and patella. The joint capsule, crossed in its central part ligaments and the lateral ligaments on both sides provide the stability.

The knee joint surface is covered with a smooth structure, called cartilage that allows sliding surfaces on other. Between the femur and tibia two cartilaginous structures stand as semicircular rings menisci calls and avoiding friction between bones. Synovial fluid allows the lubrication of the knee joint.

Knee osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis is a result of the breakdown, deterioration and loss of articular cartilage. The patient reports a picture of pain, swelling, limited mobility of the knee and difficulty walking.

Treatment of knee osteoarthritis

In the early stages the treatment prescribed by the orthopedist is conservative and consists of pain medication, anti - inflammatory and physical therapy.

In intermediate stages without serious deterioration of articular cartilage, hyaluronic acid infiltrations and arthroscopy can help maintain joint and pain control function:

Arthroscopy allows washing and cleaning articulate, with brushing of the most damaged areas and cartilaginous resection of meniscal fragments anarchic. Surgery is fast, does not require hospitalization and the patient can walk with crutches from the beginning.

In advanced processes with severe joint deterioration indicated treatment is the prosthetic knee.

Conservative treatment of knee osteoarthritis

Drug treatment for knee osteoarthritis

In the painful processes we recommend starting treatment with:

common analgesics
Celecoxib or COX-2 inhibitors
opiates lower

And postural hygiene measures for knee osteoarthritis

Cryotherapy: local application of cold in acute pain and inflammation
Avoid activities impact on the lower extremities
It is recommended that physical activity such as swimming or cycling

Physiotherapy and rehabilitation for knee osteoarthritis

and anti-inflammatory analgesic electrotherapy
muscle stimulation and muscle strengthening exercises, especially the quadriceps and hamstrings group

Intra - articular injections for knee osteoarthritis

In advanced processes knee osteoarthritis, acute episodes of pain and inflammation, can be performed intra-articular steroid injections.

Hyaluronic acid to treat knee osteoarthritis

In processes of mild to moderate osteoarthritis knee with painful picture, intra - articular infiltration of hyaluronic acid, viscoelastic substance that improves the lubrication of the knee is practiced, reducing friction injury of articular cartilage.

It is also indicated as a preventive treatment to prevent or slow the progression of osteoarthritis of mild to moderate knee in patients who have no pain, but because of their professional or sports activity subject their knees to considerable strain or repeated microtrauma.

Growth factors for knee osteoarthritis

This treatment involves intra-articular application of platelet-derived products in order to reduce degeneration of articular cartilage, although scientific evidence is limited.