How is Osteoarthritis of the knee diagnosed and treated?
How is Osteoarthritis of the Knee Diagnosed?
At La Jolla Vein & Vascular we diagnose and treat patients with Osteoarthritis.
Besides collecting the information and performing a physical examination, your doctor may also request additional testing such as x-rays and MRI scans. The X-ray imaging shows the extent of the cartilage damage and any presence of bone spurs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are more precise and detailed and help the doctor see the bones, cartilage, and other joint tissue damage. The doctor may also request blood tests that will help him to rule out other conditions that may be causing the knee pain.
Treatments for Osteoarthritis (OA)
Like most other diseases, addressing the symptoms of knee OA from early stages helps prevent the condition from worsening. Various treatments are available for knee arthritis. As mentioned, this treatment’s primary aim is to stop the condition’s progression since damaged joints are not reversible. The main types of knee osteoarthritis include medications, non-surgical treatments, surgeries, and injections.
Your doctor will choose the right approach depending on your general wellbeing and the condition progression level. Like other arthritic conditions, lifestyle modifications can help protect your knee health and slow the progression of knee arthritis. Your physician may recommend following the following lifestyle changes.
- Minimizing the activities that aggravate the condition. Avoiding activities such as heavy lifting or climbing stairs can help in slowing OA progression.
- Losing weight. Maintaining the proper weight will reduce the stress on your knee joint.
- Switch from intense activities such as tennis or jogging to low-impact activities like cycling or swimming. Low impact activities will help you stay in shape while protecting your knees
Options for Osteoarthritis include:
-Medications and Injections
-Physical Therapy
-Surgery
So, if this is you and you’ve been experiencing pain, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330.
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