October 12 is World Arthritis Day. Since 1996, World Arthritis Day on October 12 has unified people of all ages, races, and genders to raise awareness of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). On this day, we strive to raise awareness and share information and support with RMD patients and their caregivers.
Osteoarthritis is presently most common cause of disability among adults, it frequently affects knee joints.
This is typically a degenerative condition which affects the knee as age advances. With advancing age the joint suffers certain irreversible damage, Thus prevention is always advised.
Who is affected?: It affects usually elderly between 55-65 years the number of people affected is steadily increasing in recent decades probably due to growing rates of obesity and an aging population. Athletes who have sustained injuries in the past are also affected.
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?
Your knees may hurt while you walk or even move them. Your knees may feel stiff if you have been inactive for some time. You may feel a grating sensation when you move your knees.
Do’s and Dont’s
Do’s: Exercise: Strengthen the muscles that support the knee by doing light weight training and stretches. Do play with temperature: Ice pack application for 15- 20 mins.3-4 times a day Wrap the ice pack in a thin towel to be gentle to your skin. You need to lose weight if you are overweight. Weight gain puts tremendous load on your knee cartilage which increases the knee pain
Dont’s: Avoid high impact sports such as jumping and running. A painful and unstable knee can make a fall more likely. Hence exercise regularly to strengthen your muscles. Yoga to strengthen your core is essential. Whenever required use a Walking Aid. Medications like cartilage rebuilding substances along with exercises do help in early arthritis patients. In advanced arthritis you may experience severe pain in the knees with deformities along with pain at night.It may restrict your movement.
And day to day activities: Such cases will require to undergo procedures like key hole surgeries to relieve any mechanical problem like tear of meniscus or in severe osteoarthritis, Procedures like Total Knee Replacement.
Total knee Replacement is a surgery with high success rates worldwide. The surgery involves replacing the worn out joint with a new implant to relieve pain. Typically patient starts walking immediately either on same day or next day after surgery. With advanced technology and training the patient can even go home on 3rd or 4th day of surgery.
I advise everyone to follow a simple exercise programme at home. I wish you all happy knees and a happy life.
