When we talk about osteoarthritis, osteoporosis or arthritis, we almost always associate them with old age. It is not entirely wrong. Many patients suffering from these three musculoskeletal conditions belong to the elderly. However, it is crucial to understand that osteoarthritis can happen to anyone.
Children and young adults can develop osteoarthritis knee in Singapore, just like in my case. For this reason, I decided to share some facts about osteoarthritis knee that I have learned through my medication in this blog.
What is Osteoarthritis Knee?
The most prevalent chronic joint disease in the world is osteoarthritis. It can affect practically any joint in the human body and affects people of all ages, including children and young adults. As for me, osteoarthritis developed in my knees as early as teenage years.
The bones in our body are connected by joints and the tissue that protects the ends of the bones which is called cartilage. Osteoarthritis results from the breakdown of this cartilage, which rubs the bones in the joint. Due to the thinning and roughening of the joint surfaces brought on by osteoarthritis knee, the knee does not move as freely as it should. This results in discomfort and stiffness which I often feel after a few walks or when resting my lower limbs in a certain position for some time.
Risk Factors of Osteoarthritis Knee
Even though a huge number of people may experience osteoarthritis once in their lives, the exact reason is unknown. The chance of developing osteoarthritis knee is, however, increased by several risk factors such as:
Age
Age raises the risk of developing osteoarthritis knee. The cartilage in the knees weakens and loses flexibility over time, leaving it more vulnerable to thinning and damage.
Obesity
Being overweight doubles the risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knees, which are weight-bearing joints.
Genetics
Genetics can affect a person’s risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. Although the precise amount of genetic influences is unknown, researchers believe that genetics may play a role in up to 40% of instances of osteoarthritis knee. Physicians said that mine is most likely hereditary as osteoarthritis has been a condition common to women in our family.
Possible Treatments
The sooner osteoarthritis knee is diagnosed, the more probable it is that the pain will be reduced and will not worsen. As far as my consultations went, there are various options today that can be done to treat or alleviate the pain caused by osteoarthritis knee. The following are some of the procedures that orthopaedic specialists typically advise:
Physical Exercise
The majority of physical therapy regimens incorporate stretching, strengthening, and aerobic training. Physical treatment for osteoarthritis knee aims to strengthen the muscles around the knee as well as those in the hip.
Joint surgery
Most people with osteoarthritis never require knee surgery. However, replacement knee surgery may be an option if symptoms are prevalent and other treatments are unsuccessful.
Prescribed Diet
If the osteoarthritis knee is associated with obesity, your doctor may prescribe a diet to lose weight. This must be accompanied by a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise.
Conclusion
While some people are born with higher risk factors to developing musculoskeletal conditions, we can live normal lives through proper medication. Do you need knee or hip replacement surgery in Singapore? Or are you looking for a clinic to work on your shoulder rotator cuff repair surgery after a sports injury? Visit Advanced Orthopaedic and Sports Centre today!