Login | November 22, 2024
Dealing with knew osteoarthritis
PETE GLADDEN
Pete’s World
Published: November 11, 2024
Pop quiz…Do you believe there’s any proven non-operative protocols/diets/supplements out there to reverse knee osteoarthritis?
I ask this because nearly anyone dealing with knee osteoarthritis has more than likely asked their docs that very question.
And 9.999 times out of 10 your medical professional is going to answer no, because presently there just aren’t any ways to reverse this malady.
But all is not lost because there are some non-surgical methods with which to slow down that cartilage degenerative and aid in pain relief.
So when we talk about cartilage in the knee, we’re actually talking about two different types.
The first type is called articular, which is a glasslike, frictionless substance that covers the ends of the bones, while second type is called meniscal, which is a courser, shock-absorber-like substance between the junction of two bones.
And the wearing down and degeneration of these two varieties of cartilage is collectively known as osteoarthritis.
Now as many of us already know, knee osteoarthritis can be characterized by pain, stiffness and swelling.
In severe cases one’s articular and meniscal cartilage can get so degraded that the bones end up rubbing together, thereby causing mobility issues, which could possibly require surgical intervention.
Now for the purposes of this column we’ll be focusing on the less severe cases of knee osteoarthritis and several non-operative ways to help slow down that degenerative process, and maybe even aid in pain relief.
1. Anti-inflammatories.
Seek a physician’s consult on the use of anti-inflammatory meds. Your physician might prescribe a prescription strength med, or conversely recommend any of a variety of non-steroidal over-the-counter meds like ibuprofen, aspirin or Tylenol. Also in this category are topical anti-inflammatories like Voltaren gel.
2. Physical therapy.
This protocol resides in the “Use it or loose it” category, because doing nothing will only worsen the pain, stiffness and degeneration associated with knee osteoarthritis. Specific stretches and movement patterns as prescribed by a physical therapist can most definitely help to reduce pain, improve joint mobility and enhance flexibility - all of which can help to slow down the degenerative process.
3. Regular exercise program.
Hand in hand with physical therapy is regular exercise. Now regardless of whether or not you have knee osteoarthritis, maintaining a healthy weight and possessing a modest level muscular fitness is just plain smart. And if you do have knee arthritic issues there’s plenty of solid evidence to support the thesis that strengthening those muscles in and around the knee joint can decrease pain, lessen stiffness and joint dysfunction, and improve muscular weaknesses. Strong and supple muscles in and around the knee joint can have a huge impact on knee health.
4. Healthy diet.
Incorporating a healthy diet that prioritizes the inclusion of anti-inflammatory foods is another evidence based method to assist in lessening the effects of knee osteoarthritis. Indeed, what you eat can impact your knee osteoarthritis. So when we eat certain foods - high glycemic index foods, processed foods, specific fats and oils and cooked meats - our bodies produce free radicals, and when too many free radicals build up the resultant oxidative stress can contribute to cartilage damage. A antioxidant rich diet (vegetables, fruits, olive oil and various low-fat dairy products) can help protect our tissues from these free radicals.
5. Injections.
Sometimes the injection of corticosteroids (cortisone) into the knee joint can help to lessen inflammation and reduce pain. This method is termed an intra-articular injection. Also available are hyaluronic acid injections which can improve mobility and help to reduce pain.
6. Supplementation.
Now first of all understand that currently there are no products out there that have conclusively proven - in non-industry funded studies - to be curative and/or pain relieving with respect to osteoarthritis.
And you don’t have to take it from a schmuck like me, take it from the American College of Rheumatology’s January 15, 2021 paper, “Osteoarthritis Management: Updated Guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation,” in which they’ve stated, “No effective disease-modifying medications have been identified for OA.”
Now currently there are a handful of supplements which MAY help relieve knee osteoarthritis symptoms, but remember: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate these supplements, so it’s tough to precisely know what these products actually contain.
Several of these supplements include: omega-free fatty acids, collagen, curcumin, resveratrol and glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.
Finally, consulting with your physician is always the most prudent first move if you want to address your knee osteoarthritis.