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Suggest Treatment For Knee Osteoarthritis

Posted on Mon, 11 May 2015

Question: My mother is having difficulty up and down stairs. She was diagnosed with OA in her knees a year ago. Is there something I can help her with her pain?

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Management of Osteoarthritis of knees

Detailed Answer:
Good evening

Thank you for writing on health care magic

Well knee osteoarthritis is a difficult thing to handle. There are not many medications which can help control the disease pain. Long term use of pain killers are usually not recommended considering the side effect profile of the disease. I would like to ask you a few queries before i can guide you further with her treatment:

1. When is her pain more, on walking or at rest as well?

2. Is there any swelling of the joints?

3. Does she experience night pains or morning stiffness??

4. ANy medication she is currently taking?

5. If you could attach an X ray that would be helpful.

6. How is her general condition? Like the weight and BMI?

For now you can try Tyelnol and see if she gets some relief with it. Do let me know these queries. Would be happy to help you out

Regards
Dr Naval

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Naval Mendiratta (2 days later)

Hi there.

Thanks for the response. Regarding your questions. We've been told she has arthritis in both knees, but more on the left.

1) walking
2) no swelling that I can see
3) morning stiffness for sure... not sure about night pains.....
4) tylenol arthritis
5) do not have an xray
6) She has diabetes and some glaucoma, but generally in good health from what I can tell. Don't know her BMI.

Thanks. What I notice the most is that she feels like there's some "cracking" when she goes down stairs. The pain usually lasts while she coming down the stairs --- but she says that it goes away after awhile.

Is there anything we can do so she doesn't have to start each day in pain??? She calls us all the time about what to do....

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Management of Osteoarthritis

Detailed Answer:
Good evening

Well the symptoms are typical of Osteoarthritis, that is the degeneration of cartilage. Considering the symptoms are present only on walking and not at rest or in the nights, it looks like early stages of the disease. But the treatment options in this type of arthritis are very limited. However, I am gonna advise you few things which you need to incorporate into the lifestyle. It will help slow down the progression of the disease and prevent it from getting operated:

1. Avoid sitting on the floor or cross legged position

2. She needs to learn Quadriceps exericses from the physiotherapist and incorporate it into her daily routine( Morning and evening)

3. Daily morning walk for few minutes would help

4. Use of Local Analgesics Gels/Sprays along with knee caps on going out provides stability to the joint

5. Use of good footwear with an extra sole( Lateral Wedge Sole) helps as well

As for medications:

1. You can try with Glucosamine or Orcerin supplements. It helps lubricate the joint and provides some relief.

2. Tylenol is safe for her. If it doesnt work she can try Ultracet. Strong Pain killers are to be avoided.

3. If the pain is still bad and X Ray shoes good joint space, we can plan for Intra articular injection of Hyaluronic acid . Although a temproary measure, some patients do get benefit for 6-7 months.

I hope the information is useful

Do let me know for more queries

REgards
Dr Naval

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj