Management of Knee Pain

There are around 150 joints in our body and the Knee joint is most afflicted by disease or injury. The knee joint bears the brunt of our body weight and pain in this joint affects our mobility. Knee injury, immunological disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and gouty arthritis in addition to age related bone disorders may complicate the problem. Early management of pain and care of knee joints could be helpful to prevent any deformity and disability. Knee pain may be at front, back or at inner or outer side of knee joint. Our body weight exerts pressure on our knee joints during we walk, run or climb stairs. Pressure force on knee joint is almost 5 to 6 times more when we climb stairs as compared to when we walk on leveled ground or road. The size of our hips also affects pressure on our knee joints. Individuals with broader hips are at more risk to develop knee pain. Both the young and old people can be inflicted by knee pain but site of pain may vary person to person.

Tips to manage knee pain:

• Consult your family doctor or bone & joint expert for an early diagnosis.
• At home, early treatment involves wrapping with crepe bandage and elevation of knees to prevent swelling.
• Obesity is the major factor for the knee problem, so body weight control should be your first priority.
• Avoid climbing stairs and do non-impact exercise like walking or stationary cycling.
• Use sports shoes as these would help to reduce impact shock while walking.
• Warm oil or pain relieving liniment, spray or gel can be applied to knee joint and injured muscles.
• Try to keep your knees straight while sitting in a chair.
• Join rehabilitation exercise program to strengthen the muscles involved in injury and to regain power & coordination of the knee joint movement.
• Keep in touch with your physician for proper medication to avoid osteoarthritis.

Arthritis is Curable irrespective of Causes

There is nothing to panic with a diagnosis of arthritis. If diagnosed in first two years, arthritis can be treated completely and one can lead a perfectly normal life. However, dietary restrictions are must for those suffering from gouty arthritis. There are a variety of forms of arthritis and it can affect anybody at any age. There are two major forms of arthritis: (1)Inflammatory: Which causes inflammation of joints and may effect any person at any age. Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus arthritis and gouty arthritis fall in this category.(2) Non-inflammatory: Age related degenerative changes causing stiffening of joints are termed as non-inflammatory arthritis. Osteoarthritis falls under this category. Most of the inflammatory forms of arthritis, especially rheumatoid, psoriatic and gouty arthritis are becoming increasingly common in the age group of 20 to 45. Gouty arthritis is caused by increased level of uric acid in blood, is more common in men than women. Regular intake of alcohol, red meat and high protein diet could be the cause of high incidence of gouty arthritis in young men than women. In women, gouty arthritis could be diagnosed during
postmenopausal age.

Symptoms of Arthritis: Swelling with stiffness, pain and redness of joints could be associated with arthritis. In the beginning ankles, wrists or small joints of fingers could be involved. Lupus arthritis represents with fever, skin rash, skin lesions and hair loss, and is more common among women. Skin lesions are also associated with psoriatic arthritis.

Important Note: Accurate diagnosis is a key to the management and cure of arthritis. Disease itself may have more adverse effects on our health than the drugs. Patients should continue the treatment without caring for the side effects of drugs if the treatment is effective and one feels normal.