Knee Arthritis in Brisbane

Knee arthritis, medically known as degenerative joint disease, is generally the result of injury to the knee or surrounding joints, resulting in inflammation. The pain associated with this disorder can severely disrupt one's quality of life, and is the second most common cause of chronic musculoskeletal pain after arthritis of the spine. The disorder can be painful and cause significant limitations in daily activities.

Many treatments are available for arthritis of the knee, but they must be tailored to meet the needs of each individual. The treatment program must be individualized in order for it to be most effective. Patients must be sure to ask questions when evaluating their condition. Questions regarding the severity of their knee arthritis Brisbane, the type of arthritis and any other issues that may be confusing or unclear to the doctor should all be answered before treatment begins.

Many of the standard treatments for arthritis of the knee focus on relieving pain and reducing swelling. These include ice packs, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), cortisone injections and physiotherapy. Patients should seek a thorough medical evaluation before starting any type of therapy or exercise program. A thorough evaluation will determine which treatments will be the most effective. It will also help to determine which treatments will have the least harmful effects on the knees.

When there is no pain and the spine has mobility within normal limits, physical therapy may be recommended by the doctor to develop the range of motion and strength in the knee. If there is more than just mild pain, an exercise regime to build strength and range of motion may be beneficial. These exercises are specific to the treatment of arthritis of the knee.

Anytime the condition worsens, it is important to consult with a specialist in knee arthritis Brisbane in Australia. Often the doctor will prescribe medication for pain relief. This can be beneficial, but it can come with some serious side effects. There are some medications that act as a steroid and this can have negative side effects. Others are not steroidal and therefore do not have side effects.

Many physical therapists use heat and cold therapy to treat knee arthritis. Heat treatment can increase blood flow to the knee, which provides pain relief. Cold therapy can provide inflammation relief and decrease swelling. These treatments can be combined with other forms of therapy to treat arthritis of the knee. Physical therapists are the best resource for finding the combination of treatments that will work best for the patient.

Anti-inflammatory medications can also be used in conjunction with physiotherapy for arthritis of the knee. This is not a substitute for proper exercise and stretching. Anti-inflammatory medications can be very effective when taken before and after physical activity. The problem is that many people take them before their have any pain, and then they never see any improvement. This is why it is so important to seek medical care when you feel knee pain or swelling.

In terms of medication, there are many options. You should consult your doctor to find out what your choices are. In some cases, cortisone shots may be prescribed. Surgery is another option if your knee arthritis is severe. Your medical professional will be able to give you more advice about your treatment options.

It is natural for you to be concerned with how the pain in your knee arthritis may affect your ability to perform your daily tasks. You may find yourself having difficulty standing or sitting for long periods. Resting often can help alleviate some of your pain. If you have less pain, you may want to increase your activity level instead of resting.

One of the challenges of knee arthritis is that it sometimes feels like the knee is locking or becoming stiff. This can make walking or climbing stairs difficult. This can be helped with the assistance of a physical therapist. The physical therapist may use exercises and stretches to strengthen weak muscles and joints. They may also recommend shoes and orthotics to relieve the pressure on your knees. Using a brace to support your knee can also help.

Many times, the most important thing about knee arthritis is to simply get on with your life. Being immobile might cause more problems than the pain in your knee. This can be true even of those people who have found a great treatment to take care of their knee pain. When you are immobile, you are at the mercy of whatever the weather brings. Fortunately, there are plenty of medical and pain relief treatments available to you in Brisbane in Australia.

Queensland Orthopaedic Clinic is a group of like-minded, sub-specialist trained medical professionals providing personalised patient care.