knee treatment
If you have pain in your knees for a long time, then it could be arthritis or osteoarthritis. In this disease, medicines usually do not work for long. In such a situation, doctors advise patients suffering from knee pain to undergo knee replacement. But does every patient need knee replacement? Can injection or changing cartilage also help? Which patients can get relief from what and when what should be done. In this regard, we have talked to well-known orthopedic specialists and surgeons of the country.
In conversation with TV9 Digital Dr. Gagan Chadha, Co-Chairman of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Sir Gangaram Hospital It is said that the condition of every patient is different. It remains to be seen what level his problem is. knees Patients suffering from knee pain have options ranging from medicines to total knee replacement. Now even robotic surgery has come, through which knees can be replaced in a short time.
Why do knees hurt?
Dr. Gagan explains that the main cause of knee problems is osteoarthritis. This is a type of arthritis. Apart from this, wear of cartilage with age, excessive pressure on joints due to excess weight, old injury or fracture and deficiency of calcium and vitamin D cause deterioration of knees. This happens due to wearing of the cartilage present between the knee bones.
Dr. Gagan says that if this problem is detected in the beginning itself and the patient consults the doctor only after mild pain, then the disease can be stopped from progressing only through physiotherapy, knee strengthening exercises, medicines like calcium and vitamin D supplements, but if the pain is not taken care of in the beginning, then the problem starts increasing. In such a situation, other methods of treatment have to be resorted to. In this everything from injection to surgery is considered.
knee injection
When can injections work?
Dr. Gagan explains that when the grease in the knee joint reduces, hyaluronic acid injection is done for it. This injection reduces friction between the bones and provides relief from pain and stiffness, but the injection is suitable only for those patients whose cartilage is not completely destroyed. After one injection, its effect lasts for 4 to 6 months. After this you can get another injection. If the cartilage is not worn out, surgery can be avoided with the help of injections and proper lifestyle. Therefore, first get it checked as to the condition of the cartilage. If it is only slightly worn then you can manage with the help of injection.
Is it right to get the cartilage replaced?
Dr. Gagan says that many patients come to him with this question, but the truth is that it is not possible to replace the entire cartilage. Its repair or grafting is done. However, it is not successful in people above 50 years of age. This treatment is successful only in young patients and with limited damage. If much of the knee has been damaged, cartilage treatment is not effective. Therefore, it is important for people to know the truth that the cartilage of a patient suffering from knee pain is not completely replaced, nor is it possible for every patient.
knee replacement
When is there a need for knee replacement?
Dr. Akhilesh Yadav, Director of Joint Replacement and Arthroscopy Department at Max Hospital. It is said that when a patient says that medicines are not working on him or even injections are not providing relief, then the doctor recommends knee replacement surgery. It is also seen what is the condition of the cartilage. If it is completely worn out then surgery is required.
Dr. Yadav says that knee replacement is safe today. It works for many years and nowadays even surgery is done in less time. The patient is discharged from the hospital on the same day of surgery.