Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease that causes the cartilage in the knee joint to wear down. This can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement.
Main causes:
- Age – cartilage naturally wears down over time.
- Excess weight – increases the load on the knee joints.
- Previous injuries – for example, ligament tears or meniscus damage.
- Excessive strain on the joints – heavy physical work or intense sports activities.
- Heredity – a genetic predisposition to joint problems.
- Incorrect biomechanics of the position of the legs' axes – for example, X- or O-shaped legs.
Possible solutions:
Lifestyle change:
- Weight loss – reduces pressure on the knees.
- Physical activities – special exercises that strengthen the thigh muscles (for example, physiotherapy exercises).
- Walking with support – for example, Nordic walking, pushing with your hands to relieve the pressure on the knee.
Orthopedic aids:
- Knee braces – provide stability and reduce pain (e.g. Bauerfeind GenuTrain or GenuTrain OA ). View all orthoses for knee osteoarthritis
- Insoles – to correct the axis of the foot and relieve pressure on certain areas of the knee. Orthopedic insoles
Drug therapy:
- Painkillers – such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – both orally and in the form of gels or creams.
- Injections of hyaluronic acid or PRP into the joint – to "lubricate" the joint and reduce inflammation.
Procedures and therapies:
- Physiotherapy – to improve range of motion and muscle strength.
- Cold or heat therapy – depending on the complaints.
- Ultrasound, laser therapy and other physiotherapy procedures.
Surgery (in more severe cases):
- Arthroscopy – cleaning of damaged tissue.
- Partial or total knee replacement.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing severe or persistent knee pain , swelling, redness , or limited mobility, you should definitely consult a doctor or orthopedist . Only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis and determine the most appropriate treatment.
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