Knee arthritis, which occurs when the cartilage protecting the knee joint is worn or damaged, manifests itself with symptoms such as pain, swelling, stiffness and limitation of movement in the knee. In advanced cases, patients may become homebound due to pain. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serda Duman gave important information about the treatment methods of knee arthritis.
Dr. Serda Duman from the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology at Medicana Zincirlikuyu Hospital stated that knee arthritis usually develops due to reasons such as aging, overweight, joint trauma, genetic factors and some metabolic diseases. With the decrease in cartilage fluid, cartilages begin to rub against each other and this negatively affects joint health. Over time, the cartilage becomes thinner, cracks appear on the surface and bone spurs develop on the edges of the joint. Listing the symptoms of knee arthritis as pain, swelling, stiffness and limitation of movement, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duman stated that these symptoms negatively affect the quality of life and said, “Walking distance decreases, patients do not want to go out of the house, they cannot get quality sleep due to pain and inactivity leads to weight gain. The diagnosis is best made by examination, tests such as X-ray imaging and MRI help. Knee arthritis diagnosed in the early stages provides an advantage for a more effective treatment.”
There are various treatment options depending on the stage of arthritis
Stating that non-surgical methods stand out as the first option in the treatment of knee arthritis, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serda Duman said, “Medication to reduce pain, weight control, physical therapy and special exercise programs can improve the quality of life of patients. Physical therapy can facilitate the return of patients to their daily activities by increasing joint mobility and strengthening the surrounding muscles.” In addition, stem cell therapies such as hyaluronic acid, PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), PRGF (Plasma Rich Growth Factors) and SVF (Stromal Vascular Fraction) are among the treatments applied with injections into the knee joint. These treatments can slow the progression of the disease and provide relief, especially in early stage arthritis. Stating that knee replacement surgery is considered in advanced stages of arthritis and in cases where other treatment methods are insufficient, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duman said, “Knee replacement surgery can reduce pain and restore mobility by replacing the damaged joint surface with a prosthesis. The results are quite successful and significantly improve the quality of life.”
Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serda Duman emphasized that with the early diagnosis of knee arthritis and the application of appropriate treatment methods; it is possible for patients to reduce their pain, maintain their mobility and improve their quality of life. However, since each patient's condition is different, she emphasized the importance of consulting a specialist orthopedic doctor to determine the best treatment plan.
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