Ready, Set, Run…Wait! Treating Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Spring is definitely upon us and for you avid runners that means the track is calling your name! So lace up those sneakers and make a dash for the start-line – unless, of course, you suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee.  Those grounded by osteoarthritis of the knee know all about dealing with this painful condition.  But, good news! We’ve got some options to help you cope.

Firstly, osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that most commonly affects athletes over 40, but does strike at any age. No one is immune. That being said, surgery isn’t the only answer to managing your symptoms. Here are some of the most common and most effective treatment options that can help you manage the pain and restrictions of osteoarthritis of the knee.

Viscosupplementation: Viscosupplementation is a fast and effective treatment for osteoarthritis. This treatment involves the injection of hyaluronic acid into the knee joint. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in the body, designed to act as a lubricant to help joints and bones function without pain. It has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. Another benefit to this type of treatment is that it is quick with an almost immediate recovery time of usually within 2 days. This is liberating in that it removes the burden of having to stay off of your knees for weeks.

Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy is another common, non-surgical treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. By measuring the mobility of the joint and the strength of your supporting muscles, a physiotherapist can determine the progress of the disease, developing an individualized exercise program that maintains or increases mobility, restoring muscle balance and flexibility, and improving strength and stability.

Custom Knee Brace: Yet another non-surgical form of treatment, a custom knee brace can help achieve stability in the knee joint. A knee brace custom-made to your exact specifications (rather than a generic one), gives you optimum support, preventing your knee from jostling around, thereby reducing the pain and increasing your range of motion and ability.

Depending on your own individual assessment, your doctor may choose to administer one of these treatments or a combination of them to achieve the best relief.

Osteoarthritis of the knee can be very painful, if not debilitating, so relief should be a top priority. Contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today to find out more about non-surgical treatments by calling 1-416-800-0800.