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There are five main ways to treat degenerative arthritis.
The first is non-pharmacological treatment. Exercises to strengthen the muscles around the joints and education about the pathophysiology and protection of arthritis are very important. Losing weight to fit your weight, doing yoga, or tai chi can also help improve joint pain.
The second is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug called an anti-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory drug. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used both topically and orally.
The third is adjuvant therapy. Tramadol and duloxetine are two examples. Tramadol is a very mild narcotic painkiller. Duloxetine is a drug that suppresses joint pain by increasing neurotransmitters such as serotonin or norepinephrine in the central nervous system.
The fourth is injection therapy. Steroids or hyaluronic acid preparations may be injected into the joint cavity to relieve pain.
The last one is surgery. There are surgeries such as artificial joint replacement surgery, which changes the joint to an artificial joint.
(1) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the first recommended treatment for arthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are divided into topical and oral medications, such as patches and gels. The combination of the two is more effective, but topical formulations are usually recommended before oral formulations. This is because topical formulations have fewer gastrointestinal and cardiovascular side effects than oral countervails, and their effects appear faster than when smaller doses are absorbed throughout the body. However, you should be careful not to use topical medications as they can also cause inflammation or rashes on the skin.
The American College of Rheumatology, the European College of Rheumatology, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the International Osteoarthritis Society generally recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the control of arthritis pain.
(2) Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, is the second most recommended arthritis medication. It is less effective than NSAIDs, but it is safer for patients who cannot use NSAIDs. It is also used in combination with the mild narcotic analgesic tramadol.
The society tends to recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are more effective than acetaminophen, but they are recommended to be used conditionally.
(3) Intraarticular injection of steroids
Intra-articular injections of steroids are used when anti-inflammatory drugs are unavailable or ineffective. The injection is given in the knee or hip joint, and the effect is seen within a few weeks and lasts for 3~4 weeks. It is recommended to have a minimum interval of 3 months.
The American College of Rheumatology and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommend steroid injections based on data showing that arthritis improves by about 1.66 times after 2 weeks of treatment and 2 times after 4 to 6 months. The International Society of Osteoarthritis recommends steroid injections conditionally.
(4) Hyaluronic acid intra-articular injection
Hyaluronic acid is a component of cartilage and joint fluid that helps the body move joints and acts as a lubricant to protect the joints. Likewise, it is an injectable formulation that may be considered for patients who cannot or do not take anti-inflammatory drugs. It is known that 3-5 injections with an interval of 1 week will last for about 3 months.
Hyaluronic acid injections are not recommended by the American College of Rheumatology and the European College of Rheumatology, but the International Society of Osteoarthritis states that they can be given conditionally to the knee.
(5) PRP intraarticular injection
PRP is a concentrate of growth factors from platelets. It is said to stimulate the assimilation of cartilage in the joint, while reducing the catabolism, thereby activating the joint. The specific protocol for PRP injections has not yet been established, and most are administered in three doses at intervals of one per week.
Although the effectiveness of PRP injections compared to hyaluronic acid injections has been confirmed, it has not yet been proven effective for degenerative arthritis, which is a progression of structural changes in the joint.
Joints are an area that is strained when bending and unfolding, so you should be careful about squatting on a regular basis. In Korea, we live a sedentary lifestyle, so we tend to have more joint problems than Westerners. It is also important to do exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knees from time to time.
If you are going to take medication, it is best to choose the minimum dose of the drug that will give you the maximum effect and account for the long-term side effects.
Yes, it is possible that it is degenerative arthritis. We recommend that you go to the hospital for a detailed diagnosis.
The cause varies depending on the sound. A thin sound is caused by cartilage worn down and damaged, while a dull and thick sound is caused by friction between the ligaments and muscles around it.
When the temperature drops, the pain intensifies, which is a common tendency. However, in the spring, you may feel that your knees are sore due to increased activity compared to winter.
Swelling in the joints can be considered a step beyond simple pain. It would be better not to leave it alone and go to a specialist.
Immediately after walking, if the pain or stiffness persists for more than 30 minutes, it is considered to be an excessive exercise. In this case, it would be better to reduce the amount of time you walk.
Putting a lot of weight on your joints means putting a lot of strain on your joints. Maintaining a healthy weight is a fundamental principle in the treatment of arthritis.
Of course, it's not easy to overexercise when you have arthritis. If possible, you should lose weight through the kind of exercise that is not your joints. For example, it is recommended to exercise on a bicycle that can strengthen the surrounding joints with less damage to the knees.
Surgery using a scalpel, such as joint replacement surgery, can be performed at an orthopedic clinic. In internal medicine, injection therapy is performed, such as draining the joint or injecting it into the joint.
It would be a good idea to have a check-up once every 3 months or 1 every 6 months.
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