Knee Pain Treatment - Procedure, Cost And Side Effects

The treatment for knee pain will depend on the underlying cause of the pain. Knee pain could be caused by a fracture, an injury or due to the condition of arthritis. The symptoms that you might experience with knee pain are swelling, difficulty walking or standing, inability to bend the knees and severe pain.

Conditions of the knee that cause knee pain can be treated with medications, physiotherapy or surgery. Medicines can be used to treat both the symptoms as well as the root cause of knee pain. Oral corticosteroids are used to treat inflammation of the knee joints in arthritis. Corticosteroids are also injected directly into the knee to relieve knee inflammation. Analgesics are used to relieve the severe pain that is caused by the inflammation of the joints in the knee in the condition of arthritis.

Physiotherapy is another method that is used in the treatment of knee pain. It is effective in treating knee pain caused by arthritis, injury, strained muscles, ligament tear or gout.

If knee pain persists after treatment with injections, tablets, and physiotherapy then surgery might be the last resort. Total knee replacement surgery is the most common type of surgery to treat the underlying cause of knee pain. Osteotomy is a knee surgery that involves removal of a section or a part of the knee that is damaged. Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery that involves partial knee replacement.

A general physician might prescribe that you follow a course of certain medications for the treatment of knee pain. Tylenol or Paracetamol are some of the analgesic medications used to alleviate knee pain in arthritis. There are some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like paracetamol and ibuprofen that can be used to treat both the symptoms as well as the underlying condition of inflammation of the knees.

The procedure for surgery for total knee replacement includes removing the damaged bones of the knee and replacing with an artificial one. Before the procedure begins the surgeon will administer general anesthesia so that you will be unconscious during the surgery. An incision will be made above the kneecap. The diseased parts of the bones and cartilage in the femur, as well as the tibia, are removed. Then an artificial femur and tibia, which are made from metal or ceramic, are positioned with precision to replace what has been removed. It is cemented with bone cement and a plastic portion is inserted which allows flexibility to the knee.

In an Osteotomy the damaged bones and cartilage is removed. The knee bone is then reshaped and repositioned in order to shift the weight from the damaged knee part. While an arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery in which the surgeon makes a small incision in the skin above the knee. Thin instruments are then used to fix a torn ligament or an inflamed joint.

Minor knee discomfort can be relieved with 1 or 2 days of rest, while serious injuries may keep you off your feet for longer. Alongside the duration, there are certain things that need to be considered while resting during knee pain treatment. Some of them are:

• Do not keep your knee stagnant for too long.
• Exercise under a doctor’s prescription. Do not over or under-do your exercise.
• Stay away from any form of physical injury or pressure on the site of injury.
• Use a cold or hot compress.
• Keep your knee in the right position during the day and the nighttime.

Summary: Depending on the severity of the case, one can determine the resting period of a knee injury. While minor injuries can be healed within 1-2 days, serious injuries can take up to a week or two to get completely healed.

The physician will recommend which form of treatment is required according to the need of each patient. The patients who are eligible for surgery or medications to treat knee pain are as follows:

• People who suffer from osteoarthritis, gout or due to an injury to the knee can be treated with surgery.
• For those who have an inflammation of the knee or other joints due to arthritis, the doctor can prescribe corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers or analgesics.
• People who experience symptoms such as severe knee pain, inability to walk, difficulty flexing their knees and swelling of the knees.

The people who are not eligible for knee pain treatment are:

• People with an allergy to steroids or certain drugs like paracetamol are not eligible for this treatment. Those who have fungal infections or any other type of infection are not eligible for treatment with steroidal drugs.
• Those with diabetes, conditions of the heart, liver or kidneys might be at a risk with knee pain treatments.
• Older people and those who are on blood thinner are at an increased risk during knee replacement surgery. Patients who suffer from diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis are also at a higher risk of complication with surgeries.

If the knee discomfort is significant, especially if it's accompanied by weakness and a limited range of motion, see a doctor right away. Other than that here are some of the things that need to be considered to diagnose the seriousness of knee pain treatment without surgery:

• Intense pain.
• Deformation of the joint.
• Sounds of popping and cracking.
• Unusual and sudden swelling and tenderness.

Summary: See a doctor immediately if your knee pain is severe, especially if it's accompanied by weakness and a limited range of motion.

Physical therapy is recommended by doctors to improve thigh and leg muscle strength and flexibility, as well as to restore full range of motion to the knee. After the edema has subsided and the patient is able to stand and walk without pain. This commonly occurs two or three weeks after receiving therapy for severe knee pain.

The period of physical therapy depends on the type and severity of the knee injury. For a strain, sprain, or mild tear, a doctor may recommend physical therapy for four to eight weeks.

Physical therapy for a more serious tear could span eight weeks or longer. Every four weeks, your doctor assesses your progress to see if additional therapy is required.

Summary: After one is recovered from a long-term injury with no signs of tear or swelling, only then your doctor will recommend you to start with physical therapy.

Side effects of the medications for knee pain include; constipation, diarrhea, headaches, drowsiness, fatigue, bloody stools, muscle weakness, stomach ulcers, hypertension and weight gain.

The side effects from surgery to treat knee pain include the following:

• Swelling and knee pain
• Nerve damage, blood clots and infections
• Stroke, hypertension or even heart attack
• The artificial knee can get worn out, damaged or break. This leads to difficulties in walking and inability to flex the knees.

The post treatment guidelines after knee surgery are as follows:

• Use a pillow to elevate the knee and apply an ice pack for pain relief.
• Take the medications that the doctor has prescribed and follow the instructions regarding changes in diet and lifestyle.
• Take rest from any strenuous activity until the recovery period is over.
• Go for a follow-up to your doctor in the following week. Then regular check-ups after 3 to 6 months are recommended.
• Make use of crutches or a walker so that you do not strain the knee.
• Exercise for half an hour or more daily and go for physiotherapy as prescribed by the doctor.

For a knee replacement surgery, it can take around six to eight weeks to recover. After this period of recovery, you can resume day to day activities, gradually.

The price of knee replacement surgery in India ranges from Rs 40,000 to Rs 2,00,000.

With a knee replacement surgery, the symptoms of knee pain are alleviated and it can improve the quality of life. For almost 80% of patients, the results of the surgery are effective and last for up to 10 years. But the results of knee pain treatment are not effective in some cases.

The alternatives to surgery and medications for the treatment of knee pain are acupuncture and physiotherapy.

You can also consult with ayurveda doctors. They can suggest perfect ayurvedic treatment for knee pain and prescribe ayurvedic remedies and can also give lifestyle advice in order to restore the health and well-being of the patient

Over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium may be prescribed under severe knee pain treatment. These medicines help in relieving the pain and discomfort caused by knee pain.

Furthermore, some people find comfort by putting numbing medication, such as lidocaine, or capsaicin, the ingredient that makes chili peppers hot, on the affected knee.

Summary: OTC therapeutics like oral pills and ointments are recommended to decrease the pain and boost the recovery period for the patient during knee pain treatment.

Summary Knee pain is one of the most common yet discomforting forms of joint pain. This is because the knee helps the person with the locomotion of the legs. Acute or chronic forms of pain can restrict movement. They also cause inflation, swelling, and/or cracking sounds. There are many treatment plans available like therapeutics, surgery, physical therapy, and home care methods. Treatment will be suggested as per the type, cause, and symptoms of the knee injury.