Suggest Treatment For Cartilage Loss In Knees

Posted on Wed, 9 Jul 2014

Question: What is the best madicine, etc for cartilage loss in the knees?

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Life style modification and Glucosamine helps

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting
After going through your query, the most commonly used medicine which has their role in cartilage regeneration especially in early arthritis are-
1. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate
2. Collgen peptide
3. Injection of sodium hyaluronate (Hyalgan/synvisc)-to be given inside the joint.
You may discuss the above medicine with your doctor to decide what is best for you.
The recommended dose of glucosamine sulphate is 1500mg and chondroitin sulphate is 800-1200mg daily in divides doses. Glucosamine by nutralite is a good brand and with balanced composition. This is usually given for 3 months and then 6 months off after there is symptomatic improvement.
For prevention of cartilage degeneration, weight reduction is the main treatment. Life style modifications like avoiding sitting cross legged; squatting will decrease the rate of progression of osteoarthritis. Exercises like quadriceps strengthening, swimming; straight leg rising will help in improving the muscle strength around the knee.

In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (1 hour later)

Will stem cells regenerate cartlage in the kneesand in which country is it best done?

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Role of stem cell therapy is controversial

Detailed Answer:
Hello
It's good to see you
I have gone through your reply,stem cell therapy and it's role in cartilage regeneration is controversial at present.It may help in early arthritis that is without loss of joint space and deformed legs. Since,most of the research and trial are going on in XXXXXXX I would suggest you to look for reputed institute in XXXXXXX
Hope this helps.
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (5 hours later)

I have bone-on-bone on the inner and slight joint space on the outer of the knees. What other options are available except knee replacement?

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
High tibial osteotomy and hinged knee brace help

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for posting
After going through the whole discussion, you have few options like-
1. Intraarticular sodium hyluronate injection that is given inside the joint as discussed earlier. You may give a trial.
2. To Increase the joint space on the inner side or to create a gap at bone to bone contact, we have two options. By these we gain pain free time till we decide further. These are-
A. Hinged knee brace
B.Surgical(high tibial osteotomy)-In this the bow legs are made straight by cutting bone near the knee joint and allowed to heal at better aligned position. By this we have our natural joint saved in comparison to joint replacement.
You may discuss these options with the orthopaedic surgeon/treating doctor.
What is the range of movement at knee? If you like you may send the x-ray picture in your reply.

Hope this information suffices.
Take care

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