{"id":7221,"date":"2024-12-19T09:02:56","date_gmt":"2024-12-19T09:02:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vannistrigelli.com\/en\/?p=7221"},"modified":"2024-12-19T09:09:43","modified_gmt":"2024-12-19T09:09:43","slug":"knee-osteoarthritis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vannistrigelli.com\/en\/blog\/2024\/12\/19\/knee-osteoarthritis\/","title":{"rendered":"Knee pain: from osteoarthritis diagnosis to definitive treatment\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The knee can be affected by osteoarthritis, a very common chronic condition. It is crucial to diagnose it, alleviate discomfort and restore the knee’s functionality.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The knee is one of the largest joints in our body and also one of the most prone to osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It comprises various components \u2013 bones, ligaments, tendons and cartilage \u2013 that together create a perfect mechanism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its fundamental task is to support our entire weight and allow free and stable movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When something stops functioning correctly, the knee can suffer from inflammation and wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over time it can be affected by osteoarthritis, a widespread chronic condition characterized by a combination of pain and difficulty moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore it is essential to alleviate discomfort and restore full functionality to the knee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article we will detail:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 \u2013 What is the best treatment for knee osteoarthritis?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 \u2013 Are there exercises to avoid if you have osteoarthritis?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 \u2013 What causes swelling after surgery?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 \u2013 Is knee replacement surgery covered by health insurance?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>1 \u2013 What is the best treatment for knee osteoarthritis?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The choice of therapy is a decision made during a consultation between the patient and the doctor, evaluating all possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knee osteoarthritis is a disease of the cartilage, which gradually deteriorates and wears away, becoming thinner and fragmented. In advanced stages the bones can no longer glide over each other and the joint becomes rigid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is one of the most common diseases, affecting about 16% of the population. The numbers increase with age: about 68% of women and 48% of men over 75 report suffering from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The disease can worsen with significant overweight and strenuous work and pain can occur even at rest. It is potentially disabling and, if not adequately treated, it can lead to total disability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the early stages conservative treatment \u2013 pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs, supplements, physiotherapy, cryotherapy \u2013 is usually applied to help reduce pain and swelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A healthy, balanced diet also helps reduce the load on the joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physiotherapy is one of the most commonly used remedies to alleviate the problem; light and controlled exercise can also help strengthen the leg muscles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For severe cases of osteoarthritis these treatments cannot eliminate the symptoms and above all the pain definitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It then becomes necessary to proceed with replacement for a definitive cure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prosthetic surgery is a highly successful procedure that provides excellent results in terms of pain relief, patient autonomy and recovery speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With surgery you have a solution that guarantees an improved quality of life, allowing you to start moving without pain immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to learn more about the surgery, read this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>2 \u2013 Are there exercises to avoid if you have osteoarthritis?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If, after a thorough examination, you have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, it is helpful to know which exercises and sports to avoid to prevent worsening the pain caused by inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two exercises that can worsen the condition if you haven’t yet undergone prosthetic surgery:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Squats and Lunges<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These put a lot of strain on the knees, potentially worsening the pain;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Leg Extensions \u2013 Leg Press<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common gym equipment, but not ideal for those with knee osteoarthritis, as the weight can exert excessive pressure on the knees and worsen the symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These movements can also increase joint wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also some sports to be cautious about if you have knee pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sports that involve running can endanger the joint’s health: basketball, volleyball, American football, rugby, weightlifting and tennis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High-impact activities such as jumping can also increase pain and further damage the joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sports like soccer, with frequent contacts and changes of direction, that stress the cruciate ligaments or menisci, can promote the onset of osteoarthritis over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to know which sports are suitable for your condition?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover them in this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>3 \u2013 What causes knee swelling after surgery?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many patients experience swelling around the knee after surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a common consequence caused by the accumulation of fluids and blood in the tissues around the joint, thigh or calf, even when the surgery is performed perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is entirely normal for several reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surgery causes trauma to the involved tissues, which react with edema and swelling, as well as bruising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blood vessels around the area can also be damaged, causing fluid to leak into the tissues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To reduce swelling you can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n