~Symptoms, examination, and treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee and support at Ikejiri-Ohashi Sera Clinic ~.
I have pain in my knees when I stand up," "I have trouble going up and down stairs," "I can't sit on my haunches..."
If you have these knee problems, you may have **Osteoarthritis of the Knee**.
This disease is more common in middle-aged and older adults,Progressive joint diseaseIt is. However, if appropriate measures are taken at an early stage, the progression of the disease can be controlled and daily life can be maintained comfortably.
In this issue, we will introduce the symptoms, examination, and treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee, as well as the measures that can be taken at Ikejiri-Ohashi Sera Clinic in an easy-to-understand manner.
*For more information on osteoarthritis of the hip joint, click here*.
What is osteoarthritis of the knee?
Osteoarthritis of the knee is,A disease in which the cartilage in the knee joint wears away, causing the joint to degenerate, resulting in pain and limitation of movementIt is. Many Japanese people have pain, especially on the inside of the knee, which can progress to deformity of the joint (O-leg) and difficulty in walking.
The most likely to develop areWomen in their 50s and olderand the ratio of men to women is approximatelyMale 1 : Female 3。
Causes include aging, obesity, excessive stress on the knee, and trauma, though,Underlying disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, may be in the background。
The prevalence of this disease in Japan (over 40 years of age) is estimated at 42.61 TP3T in men and 62.4% in women*1, making it a disease that affects a very large number of people.
[Main symptoms
- Knee pain at the beginning of movement (especially in the morning or when getting up)
- Pain or discomfort inside the knee
- Swollen or hot joints, joint fluid retention (feeling swollen)
- Limited range of motion (difficulty bending and stretching the knee)
- Progression of O-legs (medial deformity)
- Pain makes walking difficult, and in some cases, pain may be felt even at rest.
These symptoms often develop gradually and are often put down to "old age. However,Early diagnosis and treatment can slow the progression of the disease.
[Examination and evaluation of severity].
At this clinicX-ray examinationThe condition of the knee joint is evaluated by In particular, the narrowing of the joint gap (articular fissure) and the presence or absence of bone deformity are key points in the diagnosis.
The severity is "Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) classificationThe following five levels are based on the criterion of
- Grade 0: Normal
- Grade 1: Very mild changes (suspected osteophytes)
- Grade 2: Mild joint crevice narrowing and osteophyte formation
- Grade 3: Moderate narrowing and distinct osteophytes
- Grade 4: with severe narrowing, bone deformity and loss
In addition, if necessaryUltrasound (Echo) examinationやMRI scan, blood testetc. to differentiate from rheumatoid arthritis and other knee joint diseases.
Treatment: from conservative therapy to surgical therapy
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee,The process will be phased according to the severity of the disease, age, and impact on daily life.
Conservative therapy (start here)
- Lifestyle guidance and weight loss
The load that weight places on the knee is very large,1 kg weight loss reduces the load on the knee by about 3 to 4 times.It is also said to be done. - therapeutic exercise
Strengthening the quadriceps muscle and other muscles that support the knee joint improves joint stability and relieves pain. Aerobic exercise and stretching are also important. - orthotics
Reduce the burden on the knee with knee supporters, plantar plates (insoles), canes, etc. - pharmacotherapy
Pain is controlled with oral anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications and hyaluronic acid joint injections. - regenerative medicine
Injections of PRP preparations using autologous blood, etc., into the knee joints can be used to improve pain and inflammation.
Surgical treatment (when conservative treatment is not effective)
The following are the main surgical techniques, which are selected according to the progression of the disease, age, and activity level:
| art | feature | adaptation |
|---|---|---|
| arthroscopic debridement | Meniscus injuries and intra-articular cleaning | initial |
| High tibial osteotomy (HTO) | Correction of tibial angle and load balance | Moderate/young adults |
| Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA/UKA) | Total or partial knee joint replacement with an artificial joint | Advanced deformation |
Examinations and treatments available at Ikejiri-Ohashi Sera Clinic
We offer the following medical services
- Physical therapist provides guidance on exercise therapy and training around the knee
- Deformity evaluation by x-ray and ultrasonography
- Prescription of painkillers, hyaluronic acid injection
- Suggestion of orthotics and lifestyle guidance as needed
Also, according to each patient's condition and lifestyle,Propose and implement optimal treatment plans and follow up on an ongoing basisThe Company is engaged in the following activities.
Summary
Osteoarthritis of the knee is inevitable with age...or so we are led to believe,With proper treatment and preventive care, pain can be minimized and comfort maintained.
If your knees have been bothering you lately, or if you find it hard to take the stairs, please feel free to contact us.Knowing the condition of your knee is the first step toward your future health.
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[References
1 Yoshimura N et al. Prevalence of knee osteoarthritis, lumbar spondylosis, and osteoporosis in Japanese men and women: the ROAD study. J Bone Miner Metab. 2009;27(5):620-628.