Arthritis Knee Pain: Top Ways To Treat The Condition
Do you have arthritis knee pain? Many people suffering from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis are dealing with the pain, deformity and loss of motion that arthritis can cause in the knees. Although many people end up requiring knee replacement surgery as a way of healing the damage, this can be a massive procedure that can take a long time to recover from.
The knee is made up of three bones. It is located where the bottom of the femur and the top of the tibia meet. It is protected in the front by a bone known as the patella, or kneecap. There are a number of tendons and ligaments which hold the bones in the proper alignment and allow the bones to hinge properly. There is also cartilage which is located on the bones and under the kneecap that cushions the joint and prevents damage to the leg bones. A tissue pad called the meniscus also helps cushion the joint.
There are two main types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is more common in older people. This is because over time, repeated use of the joint can cause cartilage to wear away. The ends of the bones can become jagged and uneven, increasing pain and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis causes the meniscus and the cartilage to become inflamed and this leads to pain and stiffness.
One of the best ways to treat arthritic knee pain is through the use of anti-inflammatories. NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and they include naproxyn, aspirin and ibuprofen. They treat the pain and inflammation, but not the underlying cause. Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers may require DMARDs, disease modifying antirheumatic drugs to treat the disease and keep joint damage from getting worse. These include methotrexate, azathioprine and others. They are serious medications that may have significant side effects and should be used carefully.
You may find that if your knees are the only joints affected, the pain may be a result of a knee injury that was improperly diagnosed or treated. If you speak with your doctor, they can perform tests such as x-rays in order to check the state of the knee. If damaged cartilage is suspected, the doctor may perform a scope to check the cartilage in the knees. It can be repaired or removed if it is damaged. You want to make sure that full joint replacement is a treatment of last resort because of the length of time it takes to recover.
You can also try some of the topical products that are on the market. There are a number of effective creams and lotions available. They have different active ingredients and some work by cooling the joint. Others work by heating the joint gently. Your doctor can tell you which products are better for your particular situation. It may be tempting to stop using the joint but you need to make sure that you don’t do this. It will only make the joint stiff and unusable. You may want to consider exercises such as swimming that use the joint but do not put weight on them. Physiotherapy is also a good alternative for you to explore.
Knee pain can be one of the most difficult aspects of arthritis to deal with. You use your knees for so much in your life that having pain can cause problems in your every day routines. Knowing what your treatment options are can help you get on with your life and stay as normal as possible.
Looking for treatment to end your Knee Joint Pain? Shop here for a comprehensive range of treatments for joint pain relief, arthritis cure, arthritis knee pain, hip joint pain, sciatica pain relief, tendonitis treatment and all joint health solutions. Live life and you too can Relief Joint Pain now.