Osteoarthritis of the knee involves the gradual reduction of cartilage in the knee joint. A degenerative condition, osteoarthritis of the knee can affect any age group, though typically affects the older patients where more wear and tear has been experienced on the joint. The reduction on cartilage causes bone on bone contact and the root cause of pain for sufferers.
What is osteoarthritis of the knee?
As osteoarthritis of the knee is a degenerative condition there is no chance of it healing and the cartilage growing back, therefore there are only remedies to slow the degeneration down and reduce the pain, with replacement knee surgery being the end option. The condition can be as serious as stopping a patient from walking to the shops or moving freely around their home or begin as a mild discomfort when moving and resting with inflammation of the joint following extended periods of exercise.
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee is pain in the knee joint following movement or exercise. In the event that this pain continues then you should consult a clinician who will be able to offer diagnosis, as early treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee is beneficial to help slow down the loss of cartilage.
Non-surgical remedies to osteoarthritis of the knee
In addressing the non-surgical remedies, the objective is to have the patient increase their mobility as natural endorphins released during exercise act as painkillers, though the pain can be felt both during movement and when resting which can be very uncomfortable. Another method to be used in conjunction or instead of medication is that of a knee brace, though with so many available it can be difficult to define which what the best knee support is for your stage of the condition.
The use of painkillers and anti-inflammatories can help to improve mobility by taking the pain away, though they fail to address the pivotal issue of osteoarthritis of the knee, as the pain will only hide the continued degeneration of the cartilage within the knee joint. Based on this the continued use of medication is not a long term resolution, not to mention that there can be side effects and in time the body will get used to the dosage so that it will become less effective.
The best knee support for osteoarthritis of the knee
Another route taken by patients not wishing to undergo surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee is the use of a knee brace, though a common question of suffers is what is best knee support for managing the condition. Typically your clinician will be able to recommend their opinion on the best knee support available but reviewing clinical evidence can allow you to make your own informed decision.
Braces such as the Unloader One are specifically designed to manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee by reducing bone on bone contact and with it the pain felt by the patient. This type of brace is the best knee support as they work to off load the pressure from the affected side of the knee, which can offer significant improvements to mobility from reduced pain as well as delaying the need for surgery.
By reducing the pain and slowing down the degeneration, surgery can be delayed for a number of years, as improved levels of exercise help to keep the individual fit and the release of endorphins help to act as natural painkillers.
The Unloader One is considered to be the best knee support for use in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee and is clinically proven to benefit the patient, with increased mobility and improved quality of life. As the alternative of surgery is a very serious operation, the use of the Unloader One can help the patient stay on their feet and continue everyday life, from walking to the shops to riding a bike to going for a run.
Surgical remedies of osteoarthritis of the knee
The alternative to the use of an Unloader One or similar knee brace is surgery, either through a partial of full knee replacement. If you're unsure as to which option to take then opting for the best knee support in the first instance can show how beneficial it is and whether or not surgery can actually be delayed. Whilst either option does tackle the root cause of osteoarthritis of the knee, it is not a small operation and can take up to six months before a patient is able to walk unaided. The replacement knee itself will last for up to 15 years but extensive physiotherapy and recuperation is required before getting anywhere near the activity levels experienced prior to the onset of osteoarthritis of the knee.