Spring is definitely upon us and for you
avid runners that means the track is calling your name! So lace up those
sneakers and make a dash for the start-line - unless, of course, you suffer
from osteoarthritis of the knee. Those
grounded by osteoarthritis of the knee know all about dealing with this painful
condition. But, good news! We've got
some options to help you cope.
Firstly, osteoarthritis is a degenerative
disease that most commonly affects athletes over 40, but does strike at any
age. No one is immune. That being said, surgery isn’t the only answer to
managing your symptoms. Here are some of the most common and most effective
treatment options that can help you manage the pain and restrictions of osteoarthritis of the knee.
Viscosupplementation: Viscosupplementation
is a fast and effective treatment for osteoarthritis. This treatment involves
the injection of hyaluronic acid into the knee joint. Hyaluronic acid is a
naturally occurring substance found in the body, designed to act as a lubricant
to help joints and bones function without pain. It has also been shown to have
anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. Another benefit to this type
of treatment is that it is quick with an almost immediate recovery time of
usually within 2 days. This is liberating in that it removes the burden of
having to stay off of your knees for weeks.
Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy is another
common, non-surgical treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. By measuring the
mobility of the joint and the strength of your supporting muscles, a
physiotherapist can determine the progress of the disease, developing an
individualized exercise program that maintains or increases mobility, restoring
muscle balance and flexibility, and improving strength and stability.
Custom Knee Brace: Yet another non-surgical
form of treatment, a custom knee brace can help achieve stability in the knee
joint. A knee brace custom-made to your exact specifications (rather than a
generic one), gives you optimum support, preventing your knee from jostling
around, thereby reducing the pain and increasing your range of motion and
ability.
Depending on your own individual
assessment, your doctor may choose to administer one of these treatments or a
combination of them to achieve the best relief.
Osteoarthritis of the knee can be very
painful, if not debilitating, so relief should be a top priority. Contact
Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today to find out more about non-surgical
treatments by calling 1-416-800-0800.
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