Management of Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that develops as one gets older. Currently, there is not permanent or guaranteed cure for the condition. However, different research studies and patient’s response to the management courses have proved that the condition can be stopped from getting worse. A lot of people just lose hope when they find that the decreasing mobility, pains, and inflammation is due to hip or knee osteoarthritis and do not care for any betterment as they know there is no cure. Instead of making your condition work, you can look for osteopaths near me who will help you feel better by step by step management according to your current state

Exercises

Whether you are old or in your middle ages, exercise is considered the most important element to ease your pain and increase mobility. Most of the patients are not in the favour of doing exercises because they think the stiffness in their body will become more serious. However, regular exercising will ease the pains, and you will feel more active. Once your body adapts to the exercise sessions, you can build muscles, boost your energy, and the stiffness will also start loosening.

Weight Loss Sessions

A very common reason for osteoarthritis is obesity. A very huge population in the country suffer from obesity whether young or old. As you grow older, you don’t have enough energy to work and continue your routines as you do before. This is why older people get more obese. Exercise is also necessary for controlling and losing weight. Your GP or nutritionist can guide you about how much your weight should be and how to lose weight if you are obese. You will be asked to increase activities and walk more often than before.

Medicines

Pain is a major inconvenience when you suffer from osteoarthritis. Sometimes the pain is so severe that you feel like your bones will break. Along with several therapies to reduce the pain, different pain killers are also prescribed to manage the untimely pains. Paracetamol is available at any market or medical stores. Your doctor may suggest you take Paracetamol to check if it eases your pain. NSAIDs are given only when Paracetamol falls to relax you and the pain is still there. These are anti-inflammatory drugs that also work to lessen down the swelling around the joints. Opioids and Capsaicin cream are also suggested for muscle soreness, pain, nausea, and drowsiness.

Steroid Injections

If nothing is working for you, and you cannot take the pain any longer, you can go for steroid injections that will help you ease the pain for several months. These are types of the hormone cortisol that are injected in the hip, knee or the area where osteoarthritis happens to be. These injections are used only when the patient isn’t responding well to other medical treatments.

Surgery

Surgery or joint replacement is the last resort for the worst conditions of osteoarthritis. Osteopaths do not recommend surgery unless the hip and knee joint is fully dysfunctional and the mobility is at risk of a complete loss.

Must Read: How often should you visit an osteopath?