What treatment options are available for osteoarthritis in the knee?
January 13, 2022 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Fanni Helbig
Dear Doctor,
My name is Karl Weiss and I have been suffering from osteoarthritis in my right knee for some time now. I am 56 years old and work as a craftsman, which means I need a lot of movement daily and my knee is under a lot of strain. However, in the past few months, I have noticed strong pain and stiffness in my knee, making it difficult for me to perform my job and causing limitations in my daily life.
I am worried about the future of my knee health and wonder what treatment options are available for my osteoarthritis. So far, I have tried to alleviate the symptoms with pain medication and physiotherapy, but I realize that these measures are not sufficient to combat the pain in the long term.
Therefore, I would like to know from you what other treatment options exist for osteoarthritis in the knee. Are there alternative therapies such as acupuncture or naturopathy that could help me? Or would a surgery like joint replacement be a viable option to alleviate my symptoms in the long term?
I would greatly appreciate your expert opinion and recommendations on how to best treat my osteoarthritis in the knee and improve my quality of life. Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Karl Weiss
Dear Mr. Weiss,
Thank you for your message and your trust. I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from osteoarthritis in your right knee, leading to limitations in your work and daily life. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage tissue in the joint, resulting in pain, stiffness, and restricted movement.
In your case, as a tradesman who requires a lot of daily movement and puts a lot of strain on your knee, it is particularly important to find the right treatment to alleviate your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Firstly, it is good to hear that you have already tried pain medication and physiotherapy to manage your symptoms. These measures are often the first steps in treating osteoarthritis and can help reduce pain and improve mobility.
If these measures are not sufficient, there are other treatment options that can be considered. One option is the injection of hyaluronic acid into the affected joint to improve joint lubrication and relieve pain. Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally found in the joint that can be lost in osteoarthritis.
Additionally, acupuncture can also be an effective treatment method for osteoarthritis. By inserting thin needles at specific points on the body, acupuncture can alleviate pain, improve circulation, and stimulate the body's natural healing processes.
In some cases, surgery, such as joint replacement surgery, may be a viable option to achieve long-term pain relief and improved mobility. Joint replacement surgery involves replacing the damaged joint with a prosthesis that restores normal joint function.
It is important that you seek comprehensive advice from an orthopedic specialist to find the best treatment for your knee osteoarthritis. Every case is individual, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Your orthopedic specialist will take into account your symptoms, lifestyle, and personal needs to develop a treatment plan that is best suited to you.
I hope that my information has been helpful to you and wish you all the best for your ongoing treatment. If you have any further questions or need additional support, I am happy to help.
Best regards,
Fanni Helbig
