Arthritis in the knee joint—particularly knee osteoarthritis—is a widespread problem among older adults. It’s characterized by the wearing away of cartilage that cushions the joint and allows for fluid, comfortable motion. Knee pain develops when this cartilage begins to deteriorate and tends to worsen over time, potentially leading to poor mobility and a reduced quality of life.
While knee arthritis is a degenerative and irreversible disease, people with this condition don’t have to settle for a life filled with frustrating knee pain. There are several steps that can be taken to slow the progression of arthritis, ease knee pain, and help preserve joint health.
Managing Knee Arthritis Pain
The most important step in managing pain from knee arthritis and staying mobile is to find an orthopedic physician you trust. This professional can provide you with detailed guidance that will be individualized to your specific diagnosis, health needs, and lifestyle goals. Generally speaking, though, most orthopedic physicians offer the following advice for patients who want to stop knee arthritis pain from getting worse:
- Lose excess pounds and maintain a healthy weight.
- Wear properly fitting shoes that are comfortable and have shock-absorbing properties.
- Regularly engage in low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, water aerobics, and stationary cycling (shoot for around 20 minutes of exercise per day).
- Avoid high-impact activities like running, hiking, climbing, jumping, and lifting heavy weights.
- Wear a knee brace or use a cane or another walking aid, if appropriate.
Your physician may also recommend medications to help relieve pain or reduce inflammation in the knee joint, as well as nonsurgical treatments like platelet-rich plasma therapy and viscosupplementation (knee gel shots). At-home approaches such as taking warm baths, regularly icing the knee, and performing gentle stretches can also be helpful.
When to Consider Knee Replacement Surgery
There’s no “cure” for knee arthritis, but knee replacement (arthroplasty) surgery can significantly improve quality of life for patients with debilitating knee pain that doesn’t improve with conservative treatments. The procedure involves removing damaged areas of bone and cartilage and replacing them with special implants (prostheses) to restore healthy joint function. The success rate of knee replacement surgery is very high, but you should still weigh your options and carefully consider the risks prior to committing to surgery.
In general, you may be a candidate for knee replacement surgery if:
- Your pain is severe and does not respond to medication
- You’ve sustained an injury that has impacted the stability of your knee
- Your knee hurts while at rest
- Your knee is notably swollen and stiff
- Your pain interferes with your quality of life
Find Meaningful Relief From Knee Arthritis Pain
Tampa Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Group is pleased to offer a complete spectrum of treatment options for knee arthritis pain and other musculoskeletal concerns at our center in South Tampa. A division of Florida Medical Clinic, our practice is led by board-certified physicians who provide viscosupplementation, platelet-rich plasma therapy, anti-inflammatory injections, knee replacement surgery, and other advanced treatments.
Take the first step toward knee pain relief by calling Tampa Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Group today at (813) 253-2406. We’ll be glad to schedule you an appointment and answer any questions you may have.
