Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that progresses gradually but may carry many serious risks. What are the complications of knee osteoarthritis, and how should they be treated? The article below will provide the answers.
What is knee osteoarthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis, also known as degeneration of the knee cartilage, is a condition in which the cushioning layer between the joints becomes worn down and degenerates. When this occurs, the bones within the joint rub against each other more forcefully due to the loss of cushioning, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, reduced mobility, and the formation of bone spurs around the knee.
Causes of knee osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is mainly caused by age related factors. As people get older, the cartilage’s ability to repair itself gradually decreases, which is why knee osteoarthritis is common among older adults.
In addition, several other factors may contribute to knee osteoarthritis, including:
Genetic factors
If a family member has knee osteoarthritis, other family members may also have a higher risk of developing the condition. This is also one reason why some people may develop knee osteoarthritis at a young age. In these cases, the bones surrounding the knee joint may also have an abnormal shape.
Body weight
Overweight and obesity increase the risk of osteoarthritis. This is because excess body weight places greater pressure on the joints, especially the knees. Studies have shown that every 0.45 kg of weight gain can add approximately 1.35 to 1.8 kg of pressure on the knees.
Sex
Many studies have shown that women over the age of 55 have a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis than men.
High levels of physical activity
People who are physically active on a regular basis, particularly athletes in sports such as football, athletics, and tennis, frequently place stress on the knee joints and may have a higher risk of developing knee osteoarthritis, even at a younger age.
This risk is even higher if athletes sustain injuries during training.
Musculoskeletal disease
People with rheumatoid arthritis have a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis. In addition, certain metabolic disorders, such as excess iron or excess growth hormone, may also increase the risk of this condition.
Is knee osteoarthritis dangerous? What are the complications of knee osteoarthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis is common among older adults. However, this condition is increasingly affecting younger people and has become a growing concern for many.
Knee osteoarthritis not only causes pain and affects mobility and daily activities, but may also lead to serious complications if it is not treated early and properly.
Over time, knee osteoarthritis may cause complications such as:
Bone loss
In severe cases of knee osteoarthritis, cartilage may gradually wear away and lead to bone loss. In addition, bone cell death is a serious complication that may require surgery to remove the affected bone tissue.
Increased risk of knee injury
People with knee osteoarthritis often have difficulty moving or performing daily activities. In addition, when severe pain occurs, mobility and balance may decline, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.
Joint instability
Rupture of the tendons and ligaments around the joint can affect joint stability and flexibility.
Development of other medical conditions
If knee osteoarthritis is not treated early, patients may become less physically active. Over time, this can lead to rapid weight gain and increase the risk of conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Increased risk of gout
People with knee osteoarthritis may have elevated uric acid levels in the blood, increasing their risk of developing gout, another form of arthritis.
Formation of a cyst behind the knee
These cysts, known as Baker’s cysts, form behind the knee in people with knee osteoarthritis. The cyst may place pressure on blood vessels, reducing blood flow and causing swelling and pain in the leg.
In addition, knee osteoarthritis may cause joint instability, leading to compression of the nerves around the bone or cartilage and resulting in pain and tingling.
Sleep disorders
Osteoarthritis can cause pain and swelling that affect sleep quality, making it difficult for patients to sleep well. Persistent insomnia may lead to fatigue, lethargy, reduced overall health, and lower work productivity.
Anxiety and depression
Pain caused by osteoarthritis can negatively affect patients’ mental health, making them more prone to anxiety and increasing their risk of depression compared with others.
In addition to the complications mentioned above, osteoarthritis may also lead to:
- Osteonecrosis.
- Joint bleeding and infection.
- Fractures.
- Damage to the tendons and ligaments around the joint.
Treatment methods for knee osteoarthritis
The following treatment methods may be used to manage knee osteoarthritis:
Weight loss
Excess body weight places significant pressure on the knee joints, which may worsen pain and make movement more difficult. Weight loss can help reduce knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.
Pain medication
Pain relievers can help reduce pain caused by knee osteoarthritis. These medications must be prescribed by a doctor, and patients should strictly follow the doctor’s instructions regarding dosage and duration of use to achieve the best treatment outcomes.
Physical therapy
Knee osteoarthritis can cause pain and affect mobility. Physical therapy exercises may be effective for patients with osteoarthritis.
Specialists will guide patients through exercises designed to strengthen muscles and improve joint flexibility, helping reduce pain and support a return to normal daily activities and movement.
Conservative treatment with biologic preparations
Two conservative biologic based treatment methods commonly used for knee osteoarthritis today are intra articular injection of artificial synovial fluid with hyaluronic acid and platelet rich plasma, or PRP, injection. Hong Ngoc Hospital currently provides both methods, depending on each patient’s condition.
In particular, at Hong Ngoc Hospital, patients with knee osteoarthritis are directly treated by experienced doctors who have received advanced training in China, Japan, and other countries in joint injection techniques, intra articular hyaluronic acid injection, carpal tunnel injection, epidural injection, and related procedures.
Surgery
For severe cases of knee osteoarthritis in which the above treatment methods are ineffective, doctors may recommend surgery for definitive treatment.
Surgical options may include knee arthroscopy, osteotomy, joint replacement, or arthroplasty.
Preventive measures against knee osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis does not only occur in older adults. In recent years, it has increasingly affected younger people. Therefore, preventive measures should be adopted early to reduce the risk of developing the disease and prevent serious complications of knee osteoarthritis.
Preventive measures include:
- Maintaining a nutritious diet and increasing the intake of foods rich in calcium and minerals.
- Limiting high fat foods and avoiding alcohol and stimulants, as they may contribute to muscle stiffness.
- Exercising every day with activities suitable for a wide range of people, such as walking, cycling, and swimming.
- Maintaining good weight control.
- Massaging the knee joints every morning and evening to help relax the muscles and improve blood circulation.
- Having regular health checkups to monitor overall health and detect and manage osteoarthritis early if it occurs.
Office workers should avoid sitting in one position for long periods and should occasionally stand up and walk gently to change posture and prevent muscle and joint fatigue.
If symptoms such as joint pain, joint stiffness, or reduced mobility occur, patients should visit a musculoskeletal specialist as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause and an appropriate, effective treatment plan.
When undergoing examination and treatment for knee osteoarthritis at the Musculoskeletal Department of Hong Ngoc General Hospital, patients can access high quality medical care in Hanoi, including:
- A team of experienced and highly qualified doctors who have worked at leading hospitals in Vietnam and abroad, including Bach Mai Hospital, Viet Duc University Hospital, and Royal North Shore Hospital in Australia.
- A modern medical equipment system imported from the United States, including the SIGNA Prime MRI system, a 128 slice CT scanner, the Hologic bone densitometry system, and the Logiq P7 musculoskeletal ultrasound system. These technologies provide high resolution images and help accurately detect tumors, bone and joint injuries, and other abnormalities at an early stage.
- A coordinated treatment approach with the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Department, using German therapy equipment and advanced Austrian manual therapy techniques to help patients restore mobility more quickly and reduce pain caused by osteoarthritis.
- A specific follow up schedule, with proactive appointment reminders for each patient.
- A clean hospital environment with modern amenities, including free Wi Fi, a coffee shop, and a restaurant.
- Services available on Saturdays and Sundays with no additional charges.
- Fast and convenient direct billing procedures, helping ensure maximum insurance benefits for patients.
Note: The information provided in this article by Hong Ngoc General Hospital is for reference purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical diagnosis or treatment. Patients should not purchase or use medications on their own for treatment. To accurately determine their medical condition, patients should visit a hospital or reputable healthcare facility for direct examination, diagnosis, and consultation with a physician on an appropriate treatment plan.
Follow the official fanpage of Hong Ngoc General Hospital for more useful health information:https://www.facebook.com/BenhvienHongNgoc
