Knee Pain Specialist in Nashik
The knee is a joint that has three bones. The thigh bone (femur) meets the large shin bone (tibia) forming the main knee joint. The kneecap (patella) joins the femur to form the patellofemoral joint.
The knee joint is surrounded by a joint capsule with ligaments strapping the inner side and outer side of the joint, ‘medical & lateral collateral ligaments’. It also have ligaments crossing within the joint ‘cruciate ligaments’ which provide stability and strength to the knee joint.
The knee joint have a thickened cartilage pad between the femur and tibia,called as ‘meniscus’. It provides smooth surface for motion and absorbs the load of the body above the knee when standing.
The knee joint is surrounded by fluid-filled sacs called ‘bursae’, which reduces friction of the tendons on bones.
Knee pain causes:
Treatments
I) Non-pharmacological therapy: Reduction of obesity, Quadriceps strengthening exercises, Deformity stabilization in which use of proper shoes transfers the load to the other
compartment and retards the disease process.
II) Pharmacological therapy: pain medications, agents which help in cartilage regeneration like chondroitin sulphate and gulcosamine sulphate.
III) Interventions/injections:
1. Injection of cortisone directly into the joint may temporarily help to relieve pain and
swelling.
2. Viscosupplementation with artificial lubricant may increase the production of lubricant.
3. Pulsed radiofrequency stimulation and ablation of painful nerves may be helpful for
some OA knees for longer term pain control. It uses electro-motive forces to encourage increased nutrient transport and recovery of the sensitized nerves. Once accurate placement of the RF needle on the nerve, it allows for obliteration of pain and surrounding supporting structures (muscles) to recover. Once the pain cycle is broken, the original painful joint is rehabilitated under active physiotherapy.
4. Prolotherapy and Prolozone Therapy. It is a helpful adjunct to therapy by strengthening ligaments/tendons and tightening the loosened or distorted joints. Injection of tissue proliferants (like ozone, phenol, glycerin, dextrose etc.) inside the joint and around the joint reduces pain and it strengthen ligaments. It is also supposed to promote cartilage growth.
5. PRP (Platelet Reach Plasma) or Stem cell therapy- Like its usefulness in other
degenarative diseases, it is useful in osteoarthritis of knee also.