A New Treatment for Knee Pain!

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of degenerative arthritis; it is a widespread, slowly developing disease, with a high prevalence that increases with age. The most commonly affected large weight-bearing joints are the knees, where the disease is particularly disabling, since it causes difficulty in rising from a chair, climbing stairs, standing and most importantly, walking. Osteoarthritis of the knee is an active disease process involving cartilage destruction, subchondral bone thickening, and new bone formation. It is the second most common diagnosis made in older people consulting their general practitioner and the commonest cause of disability at older ages.

Pain is the main reason for OA patients to seek clinical services. The management of early-stage OA is fundamental for effective symptom relief, management of the resulting functional limitations, and enhancing the health-related quality of life.

The treatment methods for knee OA are diverse. Biomechanical interventions, intra-articular corticosteroids, exercise (land-based and water-based), self-management and education, strength training, weight management, mobility aids, oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and topical NSAIDs are all common forms of treatment. However, the results of these treatments are not consistent, and patients with OA continue to experience pain. Therefore, what else can be done?

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) was first used to break kidney stones. In recent years, ESWT has been widely used for pain relief and the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, such as epicondylitis, plantar fasciitis and calcific tendinitis. The procedure is non-invasive, has a low instance of complication and does not require hospitalization. In recent years, studies have investigated the efficacy of ESWT in human knee OA. They determined that ESWT is effective in reducing pain and improving knee function. In fact, studies have found that there is as much as 95% success in reducing pain, improving function and stopping further degeneration after using ESWT compared to traditional non-surgical interventions.

So if you suffer knee pain and wish to avoid the knife, call us at Podiatry First on (02) 9387 1545, or alternatively CLICK HERE to book an appointment today with one of our friendly podiatrists and start getting back into the activities you love.

Nerida Reavell

Podiatrist at Podiatry First

 

Leave a reply