Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment for knee osteoarthritis improve quality of life

Wear and tear and deformations that occur in the knee joint are among the health problems that directly affect daily life. Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Op. Dr. Onur Gök of Özel Ümit Batıkent Hospital drew attention to the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment for knee osteoarthritis, which is common in society.

Gök stated that knee osteoarthritis develops as a result of the structures on the joint surfaces deteriorating and undergoing deformation over time. Expressing that osteoarthritis is seen more frequently, especially in older ages, Gök emphasized that the disease is not solely dependent on aging.

Stating that different factors play a role in the emergence of osteoarthritis, Gök said, "While the age factor is one of the important reasons, genetic predisposition, metabolic diseases, rheumatic disorders, and micro-traumas caused by overuse in daily life can also lead to knee osteoarthritis."

Conveying that the treatment process is determined according to the patient's age, complaints, degree of osteoarthritis, and lifestyle, Gök noted that non-surgical methods are mostly preferred in the first stage. In addition to painkillers and anti-edema drugs, physical therapy applications and muscle strengthening exercises also hold an important place in treatment.

Gök said that strengthening the muscles helps patients perform their daily activities more comfortably by reducing the load on the knee joint. For this reason, he stated that exercise and physical therapy programs are one of the fundamental parts of the treatment.

Stating that intra-articular treatments can also be considered in suitable patients, Gök reported that joint fluid applications containing hyaluronic acid, PRP injections, stem cell treatments derived from adipose tissue or bone marrow, and exosome treatments are among the options.

Stating that knee replacement surgeries are widely performed in the world in advanced cases, Gök said that people experiencing knee pain, restricted movement, difficulty climbing stairs, a feeling of stiffness in the knee, and difficulty in daily life activities should consult a specialist physician without losing time.

News Source: 12punto