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Talking About Diagnostic Tests For Medical Care
Have Arthritis In Your Knee? What You Can Do
Nanja Bongers
When you have been experiencing knee pain, stiffness, and discomfort, you may find yourself facing a diagnosis of arthritis. Arthritis of the knee is a very common condition but can also be quite debilitating and frustrating to deal with. Luckily, there are treatment options available to help you deal with your knee arthritis. Get to know some of these treatment options so you can be sure you are getting the help and care you need to cope with your knee condition.
Over-the-Counter Medications
One of the most common treatment options for arthritis of the knee is over-the-counter pain medications. From acetaminophen to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen, these medications can help reduce mild to moderate arthritis pain in the knee.
However, if the pain and stiffness are severe or the person is using these medications in excess (having to take them multiple times a day, every day, and still experiencing pain), then over-the-counter medications may not be the best option. NSAIDs as well as acetaminophen can cause side effects including liver or kidney damage if taken too often.
Corticosteroid Injections
If over-the-counter medications are not able to help you with your knee arthritis pain and stiffness, then corticosteroid injections may be an option. These steroid medications are anti-inflammatory so they will reduce swelling and inflammation in the knee joint. This, in turn, will reduce pain in the knee.
When you get corticosteroid injections, you will get the injection directly into the knee joint. These treatments will be repeated as needed every three to four months. Some people with knee arthritis experience enough pain or discomfort that they need the injections every few months, while others only need to go once or twice a year. It all depends on how much pain they can tolerate and how advanced the arthritis is.
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy is another treatment option available when you have arthritis of the knee. This is another form of injection treatment for your knee issues. However, it does not involve injecting drugs into the knee. Instead, stem cells are injected into the knee.
The stem cell therapy process starts with the harvesting of stem cells from the patient's own bone marrow, blood, or even fat tissue. These stem cells will be processed in the lab and then re-injected into the knee joint. Because the stem cells are from the person's own body, there is virtually no risk of rejection. The stem cells will then develop into healthy knee joint cells, which can help to repair the joint and partially reverse the progress of the arthritis.
Knowing these treatment options, you can be sure you contact a doctor and talk to them about which knee arthritis treatment is right for you.
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