Cartilage is a rubbery tissue that provides cushioning to your bones so that they don’t rub against each other. But the cartilage breaks down over time. When this happens, the bones collide, resulting in joint pain and inflammation.
You will notice that your knees are not working smoothly like before. They start aching whenever you want to stand up or sit down. This condition is called knee osteoarthritis.
Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis symptoms don’t usually develop overnight. They take time to show their true colors. This is because the cartilage takes time to wear down. You may notice knee pain initially, but soon the symptoms spread their wings to your hips, elbows, and fingers. It becomes a challenge to stand and work for long. Here are some of the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis that you should keep in mind. Make sure you consult a doctor as soon as you notice these symptoms.
- Stiffness and swelling
- Limited movement
- Warm feeling in your knee joints
- Unbearable pain in your knees
The quicker you respond to these symptoms, the quicker your doctor can treat the condition.
Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment Options
Your doctor will physically examine your knees, ask you to do some imaging tests and blood tests to rule out any other condition that may cause the pain. Once he confirms that it’s knee osteoarthritis, he can proceed with the following treatment options:
1. Medication
Most doctors first prescribe medications that relieve your knee osteoarthritis symptoms like pain and swelling. Your doctor may provide non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antidepressants to keep the pain under control. Make sure you follow the dosage instructions carefully.
2. Therapy
There are two types of therapies that can treat knee osteoarthritis: physical therapy and occupational therapy.
Physical therapy involves exercises that can strengthen the muscles around your joints. They increase your flexibility and significantly reduce pain around your knees over time. Light walking and swimming can keep those muscles flexible, thus reducing the pain.
Occupational therapy means doing everyday tasks without putting too much pressure on your knees. The therapist will tell you what activities to engage in, depending on what you do throughout the day.
How Can Physical Therapy Help?
Physical therapy is not just helpful for your knees but also for your entire body. Doctors say that obese people have a higher risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. Physical therapy can help in weight reduction and diminish pain at the same time.
This type of therapy doesn’t include too much exercise. Your therapist will recommend a few low-impact exercises to strengthen your knee muscles and endurance. Water aerobics, cycling, and walking are something that you can do even without the guidance of your therapist. A therapist only focuses on exercises that increase your knees’ endurance.
Custom Rehab is one of the best physical therapy centers that offers easy exercises to manage your knee osteoarthritis. We have friendly and experienced staff who can take a look at your knees, diagnose the severity of your osteoarthritis, and accordingly suggest exercises that can reduce the pain and symptoms. Call us today at (208) 417-0011 or visit our clinic to talk to one of our doctors right away.