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Having Pain From Knees To Hips. Overweight. Medication?
Question: I AM 65 AND I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN HAVING PAIN FROM MY KNEES UP TO MY HIPS TO THE POINT THAT I STOOP OVER I HAVE NEVER TAKEN CARE OF MYSELF I AM OVER WEIGHT
Hi, thanks for writing to XXXXXXX
Taking into consideration your age and presenting symptoms, I am of the opinion that you could be suffering from OSTEOARTHRITIS of HIP & KNEE JOINTS.
The pain arising out of an arthritic knee is confined to the knee joint proper whereas pain of the arthritic hip may radiate and can be felt in the knee joint.
An Xray of your hip & knee joint will provide the diagnosis and they show up the amount of degeneration in the joint.
The general guidelines of treatment are as follows -
* PHYSICAL THERAPY : The mainstay of treatment in the early case is physical therapy, which should be directed at maintaining joint mobility and improving muscle strength. Other measures, such as massage and the application of warmth, may reduce pain.
* LOAD REDUCTION : Protecting the joint from excessive load may slow down the rate of cartilage loss. It is also effective in relieving pain. Weight reduction for obese patients, wearing shock-absorbing shoes, avoiding activities like climbing stairs and using a walking stick are worthwhile.
* ANALGESIC MEDICATION : Simple over the counter medications like acetaminophen is sufficient in most cases. If this fails to control pain, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug may be better.
* VISCOSUPPLEMENTATION: Hyaluronic acid injections given into the joint in prescribed dosages will give good short term relief in selected cases and helps in postponing total joint replacement surgery atleast for a year or two.
Hope the above measures will provide improvement in your symptoms.
Happy to answer any more clarifications.
Regards
Taking into consideration your age and presenting symptoms, I am of the opinion that you could be suffering from OSTEOARTHRITIS of HIP & KNEE JOINTS.
The pain arising out of an arthritic knee is confined to the knee joint proper whereas pain of the arthritic hip may radiate and can be felt in the knee joint.
An Xray of your hip & knee joint will provide the diagnosis and they show up the amount of degeneration in the joint.
The general guidelines of treatment are as follows -
* PHYSICAL THERAPY : The mainstay of treatment in the early case is physical therapy, which should be directed at maintaining joint mobility and improving muscle strength. Other measures, such as massage and the application of warmth, may reduce pain.
* LOAD REDUCTION : Protecting the joint from excessive load may slow down the rate of cartilage loss. It is also effective in relieving pain. Weight reduction for obese patients, wearing shock-absorbing shoes, avoiding activities like climbing stairs and using a walking stick are worthwhile.
* ANALGESIC MEDICATION : Simple over the counter medications like acetaminophen is sufficient in most cases. If this fails to control pain, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug may be better.
* VISCOSUPPLEMENTATION: Hyaluronic acid injections given into the joint in prescribed dosages will give good short term relief in selected cases and helps in postponing total joint replacement surgery atleast for a year or two.
Hope the above measures will provide improvement in your symptoms.
Happy to answer any more clarifications.
Regards
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :1996
Answered : 2148 Questions
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