Osteoarthritis is a common arthritis form that affects the protective cartilage. A cartilage cushions the bone’s edges and over time it wears down. This can damage joints in the knees, spine, hips, and hands. The symptoms can be managed but joint damages cannot be reversed.
If you are struggling with knee pain then the Podiatrist in Irvine Orange County checks your knee joints for swelling and tenderness. Discuss your medical history and ask questions about your symptoms.
- Did you injure your legs in the past and if yes then how was it treated?
- Where does it exactly pain?
- When does the pain occur and is it consistent or random?
- Does the pain worsen while walking or during the day or night?
The podiatrist even performs gait analysis. Pain and stiffness in the joint change your walking style. Blood tests and X-rays are recommended to determine a plan of dos and don’ts for osteoarthritis knee pain management. Arthritis is manageable, follow the dos and don’ts.
Dos
Choose aerobic exercises
Choose joint-friendly and low-impact exercises like swimming, walking, and cycling. It will help to strengthen the affected joints as well as keep them synchronized and active.
Incorporate leg muscles strength training
Include strength and flexibility workouts along with aerobics. Strengthening the muscles around knee joints enhances the support, while stretching maintains or enhances flexibility around the knees.
Maintain healthy weight
Excess weight can stress your damaged knees. Therefore, losing weight helps to slow the cartilage degeneration and even knee pain intensity.
Wear knee joint-friendly footwear
Shoe choice plays a huge role in the foot, knee, or ankle pain. For osteoarthritis flexible shoes resembling the natural mobility of your foot are recommended. It decreases the force applied on the knees every day.
Take prescribed medications
Over the counter, NSAIDs are popular for osteoarthritis treatment of the knees. They are effective, but have their share of drawback. There are prescribed medicines and corticosteroid injections but research associated with their long-term efficiency is still ongoing. Heat and cold therapy even help to relieve the symptoms.
Currently, stem cell for knee is also effective treatment patients opt for rather than the knee replacement surgery. Work with your physician to develop an appropriate treatment suitable to your symptoms.
Don’ts
Shy away from using assistive devices
Knee braces and canes help to decrease knee pain as well as enhance functioning. Knee pain can be disabling, but at times surgery is also not possible. Assistive device use can make a huge difference.
Overlook new symptom
In knee osteoarthritis, the pain is chronic and can get more severe. It can wake you from sleep rather than after some activities around the house. It means the condition is worsening. Other symptoms like locked knee, swelling, or giving way are concerning, so talk it with your doctor. There may be a need to change your treatment plan.
Non-surgical treatments may not work in knee pain management, so you may be recommended surgery. If you fear invasive surgery then check for stem cell for arthritis at a certified podiatry clinic in Irvine.
