Is Knee Replacement the Best Solution to Knee Pain
Pain in the knee joints can affect daily routine and disturb simple activities like walking, sitting, climbing stairs, and even when lying down. Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) is the condition in which a person feels pain in their knee joint. There are several methods to get rid of knee pain. Knee replacement surgery is one such method, but doctors often prescribe other treatment methods first.
Various Treatment Methods for Knee Pain
Doctors try to resolve knee pain using several methods. The intensity of pain in the knee determines which way of treatment to perform at the initial phase. Some of these methods are as follows:
Medication (Pills): It is the first phase of treatment. A person suffering from knee pain when initially visits the doctor, they prescribe some medicines that the patient has to consume to relieve pain. These medicines may include pain killers, acid-regulating tablets, nutritional supplements, and some anti-inflammatory drugs to fight inflammation.
Creams or Ointments: Many pain relief ointments are available in the market, and you can buy them from chemists. However, these ointments should not be without the prescription of a doctor. The composition of ointments is different, and its method of resolving pain may also differ. You can get an appropriate ointment for your pain with a prescription.
Injections: Many medications are injected into the joint to relieve knee pain. Corticosteroid injections fight inflammation of the joints and relieve pain faster than creams and pills. Injections can eradicate pain for several months. They consist of hyaluronic acid that increases the natural secretion of joint fluids to keep the smooth movement of the joints.
Physiotherapy: Exercises and physical therapies can help knee muscles to strengthen. Muscles that support the movement of the joints (ligament) stretches that also results in knee pain. Physical therapy can help in resolving such problems. A physical therapist recommends some exercises that may or may not require braces, canes, or splints. Diet and exercise can help in reducing shed some weight that may build pressure on your joints.
Weight Loss: Your excess body weight can increase the pressure on your joints and result in knee joint pain. There is a high chance of success in knee replacement surgery if you keep a check on your weight.
These methods may help to relieve pain and keep you moving at ease. In some cases, the patient is intolerable of pain, and the above ways are less effective. In such situations, a doctor may advise surgery.
Knee Replacement Surgery
If you have tried all methods of treating arthritis and still experience pain in your knee, then the doctor may advise a knee replacement surgery. A knee replacement comprises steps in which all parts of your knee joint is removed and replaced with an artificial joint made up of metals and plastics. It can help in improving your mobility with knee movements.
A patient who has undergone a knee replacement surgery can take a few months for complete recovery. It can relieve pain for several years or a lifetime. A knee replacement surgery may take place considering several conditions:
- The patient experiences severe knee pain while performing daily activities.
- Pain during day or night while resting
- Long-term swelling in the knee that does not get better with rest.
- No anti-inflammatory tablets or pain killers can relieve your pain.
Knee Pain can be painful and intolerable. If you are undergoing severe knee pain, consult Santosh hospital, which is the best orthopedic hospital in NCR Delhi. Recognized as the best knee replacement hospital in Ghaziabad, Santosh Hospital has highly qualified staff and impeccable hospitality services to serve you to their best.