Dr. Soham Dinda, Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon in Tamluk, Purba Medinipur (MBBS Hons, NRSMCH; MS Orthopaedics, RG Kar MC&H), explains knee pain, osteoarthritis: symptoms, causes, tests and treatment options.
What is knee osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the gradual wearing of the smooth cartilage that cushions the knee joint. As cartilage thins, bones rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness, swelling and a creaking sound. It is the commonest cause of knee pain after 45 to 50 years of age, and is more frequent in women and in people who are overweight or have had an earlier knee injury.
Symptoms of knee arthritis
- Pain when walking, climbing stairs or getting up from a chair or the floor
- Morning stiffness that eases within about half an hour
- Swelling or a feeling of water in the knee
- Creaking or grinding sound on movement
- Pain that is worse at the end of the day or in cold weather
- Knee bending inwards or outwards (bow legs or knock knees) in later stages
Other causes of knee pain
Not all knee pain is arthritis. Your doctor will also look for meniscus or ligament injury, patellar (kneecap) pain, bursitis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, infection and referred pain from the hip or back. Getting the right diagnosis is the first step to the right treatment.
How we diagnose the cause
Dr. Dinda examines your walking, knee movements, swelling and alignment, and advises a standing X-ray to see the joint space. Blood tests or an MRI are added only when needed, for example to rule out rheumatoid arthritis, gout or a soft-tissue injury.
Treatment of knee arthritis, step by step
1. Lifestyle and exercise
Weight loss is one of the most powerful treatments, because every extra kilogram adds several kilograms of load to the knee. Quadriceps and hip strengthening exercises, low-impact activity such as walking, cycling or swimming, and heat packs can reduce pain and improve function.
2. Medicines
Pain-relief tablets and gels are used in the lowest effective dose for the shortest time and under medical advice, as long-term painkiller use has side effects on the stomach and kidney.
3. Injections
In suitable patients, injections into the joint may give temporary relief when other measures are not enough. Whether they are right for you depends on your X-ray and overall health.
4. Supports and walking aids
A knee cap or brace, a cane in the opposite hand and proper footwear can lessen the load on a painful knee.
5. Surgery when truly needed
If severe arthritis causes constant pain and stops you from daily activities despite the above, knee replacement can restore comfortable walking.
Home tips for knee pain
- Avoid sitting cross-legged on the floor or squatting for long if it hurts
- Use a western-style commode or a raised toilet seat if squatting is painful
- Climb stairs slowly and use the railing
- Keep walking daily within your comfort level
- Do not rely on unadvised painkillers or oil massage that delays proper diagnosis
When to see a knee doctor
- Pain lasting more than 2 weeks or getting worse
- Knee swelling, redness or warmth, especially with fever
- Pain that wakes you at night
- Knee locking, giving way or deformity
- Difficulty walking even short distances
Knee pain treatment in Tamluk
For knee pain and arthritis, patients from Tamluk, Mahishadal, Nandakumar, Egra and nearby areas can consult Dr. Soham Dinda, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. The first aim is to ease pain without surgery, and an operation is advised only if it will truly help.
সংক্ষেপে বাংলায়
হাঁটুর কার্টিলেজ ক্ষয়ে গেলে হাঁটুতে ব্যথা, শক্ত হয়ে যাওয়া, সিঁড়ি ওঠানামায় কষ্ট বা কটকট শব্দ হয়, একে অস্টিওআর্থ্রাইটিস বলে। ওজন কমানো, ব্যায়াম, ওষুধ ও প্রয়োজনে ইনজেকশনে অনেক রোগী আরাম পান। ব্যথা খুব বেশি হলে তবেই হাঁটু রিপ্লেসমেন্টের কথা ভাবা হয়। তমলুকে হাঁটু ব্যথার চিকিৎসায় ডা. সোহম দিন্দাকে ফোন করুন ৮৯১০০৫১০৭২।
This page is for general awareness and does not replace a consultation. Please see a qualified doctor for diagnosis and treatment.