The treatment of osteoarthritis should be progressive and cannot resort to "strong medicine" from the very beginning. More attention should be paid to self-health care during treatment.
Knee osteoarthritis is a common disease among middle-aged and elderly people, causing great pain to patients. Injection of sodium hyaluronate can alleviate pain and inhibit the condition, but it is not a "panacea", nor is it a one-time solution for knee osteoarthritis. Doctors remind that the treatment of knee osteoarthritis should be progressive and cannot start with "strong medicine". More attention should be paid to self-health care during treatment.
Treatment generally follows a "three-step process"
Knee osteoarthritis must be treated, and the condition cannot be allowed to develop freely. The role of sodium hyaluronate in treating knee osteoarthritis is worthy of affirmation. It can change the rheological state of synovial fluid in the joint cavity, increase lubrication of the joint, protect articular cartilage, blunt the sensitivity of receptors to stimuli, relieve pain, induce the production of endogenous sodium hyaluronate, and inhibit the further development of the condition. But does injecting a few shots of sodium hyaluronate solve the problem? It's not that simple! Treating knee osteoarthritis should be progressive, and it is not recommended to use "strong medicine" from the beginning. Generally, the following stages should be experienced:
Step one: Drug therapy
Firstly, drug therapy is the foundation. Any pain requires immediate relief. First, give patients some anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs to reduce aseptic inflammation within the joint and reduce patient pain. Additionally, patients should take drugs like "glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate", which can enhance the metabolism of cartilage, improve cartilage function, and are suitable for long-term use.
Step two: Herbal fumigation and needle knife
In the muscle strain points around the knee joint, generally, Chinese herbal fumigation of the knee, silver needles, small needle knives for release, ozone injection, etc., are used to improve muscle elasticity, enhance muscle toughness, and reduce the burden on the joint.
Step three: Joint injection
For intra-articular injection, we believe that blocking, i.e., injecting hormones into the joint, indeed works quickly, but it easily accelerates joint degeneration and exacerbates osteoporosis. Therefore, for patients with joint swelling and effusion, especially purulent effusion, medical ozone should first be injected into the joint cavity multiple times. It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects without the side effects of hormones. After two to three ozone injections, when the effusion and inflammation in the joint are basically cleared, then consider injecting sodium hyaluronate.
Key to treating knee osteoarthritis lies in oneself
In terms of treatment, doctors help by reducing pain and improving knee joint function for patients. However, if patients do not pay attention to self-protection, all efforts will be wasted, resulting in increasingly painful joints and more expenses.
How exactly should one protect their joints? Mainly, the following points should be followed:
1. Pay attention to keeping warm;
2. Mobility support: mainly reduce the load on affected joints. Canes, crutches, walking aids, etc., can be used. Change the force angle line according to deformities, using corresponding orthopedic supports or corrective shoes;
3. Functional training: such as flexion and extension exercises of the knee joint under non-weight-bearing conditions to maintain maximum joint mobility;
4. Aerobic exercise: such as swimming, cycling, etc.;
5. Weight loss;
6. Self-protection: avoid frequently squatting or kneeling to pick up objects, sitting on low stools, sleeping on low beds, increasing friction and load on the joints;
7. Reduce unreasonable movements: such as knee osteoarthritis patients who like Tai Chi (repeated squatting and standing) or climbing mountains to exercise joints. These only increase joint torque or overload the joint surface, leading to more severe joint wear. Moderate activity, avoid bad posture, avoid running, jumping, or squatting for a long time, reduce or avoid climbing stairs.
Ten misconceptions about the treatment of knee osteoarthritis
Misconception One
Equating knee osteoarthritis with osteoporosis
Knee osteoarthritis is mainly due to cartilage degeneration and wear; osteoporosis is caused by a reduction in organic components and minerals in bones, often triggered by calcium deficiency or vitamin D deficiency.
Misconception Two
Not receiving or undergoing standardized treatment
Many middle-aged and elderly people suffer from knee osteoarthritis year after year, like an unremovable "tight-fitting curse." In fact, one of the main reasons why the condition persists is the lack of standardized treatment.
Misconception Three
Failing to detect and seek medical attention early
When certain joints begin to move less smoothly, often feeling stiffness in hands and feet, or suddenly finding some joints locked after sitting for a long time, many people don't think they might have knee osteoarthritis and fail to seek timely medical attention.
Misconception Four
Young people won't get knee osteoarthritis
Secondary knee osteoarthritis caused by joint injury or excessive joint use is often age-independent. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in cases of knee osteoarthritis among middle-aged and young car owners and sports enthusiasts.
Misconception Five
Knee osteoarthritis is a minor illness
Many patients think knee osteoarthritis is a minor illness and do not receive effective treatment. Joint damage inevitably becomes more serious, eventually leading to disability.
Misconception Six
Relying on oral medication while ignoring side effects
Since most patients are older, these medications cause significant side effects, such as gastrointestinal reactions, nephrotoxicity, changes in blood profile, etc. Currently, no drug can reverse the pathological changes in knee osteoarthritis patients.
Misconception Seven
No pain means "cure"
Many knee osteoarthritis patients, after treatment, especially after joint injections, feel "no pain" and assume they've reached the goal of treatment. However, this does not mean the condition is cured. As long as the joint cartilage hasn't returned to normal, pain can reappear at any time. Repeated episodes will further worsen the condition.
Misconception Eight
Underestimating minimally invasive and auxiliary treatments
For earlier-stage knee osteoarthritis patients, conservative treatments such as traction, acupuncture, medication, massage, etc., can be implemented; for mid-to-late stage patients or those ineffective with conservative treatments, minimally invasive treatments or cartilage protective agents can be considered to improve the condition. Only a very small number truly need surgery to replace joints.
Misconception Nine
Ignoring the impact of weight on knee osteoarthritis
Overweight individuals are more prone to knee osteoarthritis because excess weight increases the load on weight-bearing joints, promoting cartilage destruction. Obesity can also induce knee osteoarthritis through metabolic intermediate products.
Misconception Ten
Lack of joint protection
Not paying attention to self-protection in daily life, such as frequently squatting or kneeling to pick up objects, sitting on low stools, sleeping on low beds, etc., increases friction and load on the joints. Incorrect exercise can also exacerbate arthritis, such as knee osteoarthritis patients who like Tai Chi or mountain climbing to exercise joints, which makes joint wear even worse.