Knee Osteoarthritis

What is

When a knee is healthy, it allows the flexion of the leg, its extension and daily situations such as bending and squatting. This is possible thanks to the good function of the elements that are part of it such as the meniscus, ligaments and cartilage among others. This last one is a tissue with ideal characteristics to allow the protection function of the knee, however, unlike other types of tissues such as muscles, tendons and bones, it cannot be cured and that is why we must try to take care of it and provide the conditions for it to last for many years.

 

Maintaining an adequate weight, proper nutrition, performing daily activities with consistency, and maintaining an adequate physical condition will help preserve the structure of this cartilage. When the cartilage deteriorates, the bones that form part of the knee suffer impacts and wear and tear that over time generate symptoms such as pain, functional disability and diminished faculties.

Causes

Several factors increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee. Below, we will review the most important ones:

  • Age: the cartilage’s low capacity for repair decreases every year, to which we have to add the wear and tear that occurs.
  • Obesity: given its key location in the legs, this joint is directly overloaded in situations involving excessive weight.
  • Hereditary factors: the shape of our legs, of our pelvis conditions a direct overload of this joint.
  • Injuries: meniscus and ligament injuries directly lead to increased wear and tear of the joint.

Symptoms

The symptoms accompanying osteoarthritis generally do not appear suddenly, but develop over the years. The most frequent are:

  • Pain in the area that is no longer protected due to cartilage wear.
  • The crunching sounds that occur when the joint wears out.
  • The effusion that produces inflammation that is triggered in an unprotected joint.
  • The daily and continuous shock of bones devoid of cartilage.
  • Decreased mobility.

Approach protocol

Diagnosis and assessment

A correct medical evaluation by means of a good anamnesis and physical examination will be necessary. The multidisciplinary vision is essential for a comprehensive, personalized approach, focused on achieving a prolonged relief of pain depending on the phase in which it is found.

Complementary tests

X-ray and/or MRI may be performed.

Treatment

The treatment of this pathology will depend to a large extent on the patient’s condition, age and symptoms, the condition of the cartilage, the degree of osteoarthritis in the joint and how much of the total joint is affected by osteoarthritis will determine the approach to be followed. Below, we outline some of the possible treatments:

  • Pharmacological treatments such as dietary supplements to improve cartilage condition and/or drugs to relieve pain.
  • Hyaluronic Acid Blocks
  • Corticosteroid blockades
  • Regenerative medicine
    • Platelet-rich plasma: the compound extracted from the patient’s own blood has a concentrate of anti-inflammatory factors and cytokines that make it very useful for this pathology.
    • Cytokine-rich serum: this is a different process to platelet-rich plasma in which a compound rich in anti-inflammatory cytokines is also obtained from the blood.
    • Stem cells: originating from the patient’s bone or fat, they have a regenerative and anti-inflammatory power that makes them a unique treatment for pain relief.
  • Radiofrequency
  • Physiotherapy: methodology based on knowledge and clinical reasoning in which we combine a series of techniques and treatments both manual therapy and invasive techniques, always associated or complementing them with cutting-edge technology that allows us to accelerate the recovery process. Among other high-tech devices include Magnetolith, SIS, focal shock waves, Indiba, among others. This therapeutic combination allows us to activate the patient early to begin with a routine and a process of specific therapeutic exercises that allow us to enhance and strengthen the lost functional patterns.

Here begins your life without pain

Our customers say

Estic molt contenta per la radiofrecuencia i sobre tot la organización de tots/tes
Response from the owner:Gracias Ángeles por las 5 estrellas. En MIVI Salud estamos para ayudar a nuestros pacientes de la mejor forma posible. Un saludo!
Response from the owner:Muchas gracias por su reseña, Valentina ! Nos alegra saber que su experiencia en MIVI Salud fue excelente. Esperamos poder servirle nuevamente en el futuro siempre que lo necesite. Saludos
Son muy profesionales ,súper cariñosas y amables. ( Todo el grupo de físicos)
Gracias a la profesionalidad de Andrea estoy recuperando la movilididad de mi brazo cuando me dijo el doctor que había probabilidades de tener que pasar por el quirofano. Infinitamente agradecida.
Solicitaría un plus en sus sueldos por sus ganas y buenas energias
Response from the owner:Muchas gracias Inma por por las cinco estrellas y confiar en MIVI Salud Saludos
Muy buena persona y muy amable con los pacientes encantadora
Llegué con una pierna rota y lo que más me alivió fue el buen trato de la administrativa. Gran clínica en general
Response from the owner:Gracias por tu comentario Silvia y por confiar en MIVI Salud. Saludos
Excelente trato y beneficios de un 100% con los tratamientos en la clínica del dolor. AGRADECER AL Dr Duca por su trato amable y cercano. DESDE LUEGO LO RECOMIENDO
Response from the owner:Gracias Fátima por compartir tu experiencia en MIVI Salud . Nos alegra saber que tuvo una excelente visita con el Dr.Ducca Saludos
Response from the owner:Muchas gracias por tu valoración Ruth! Saludos

Insurance companies

Ask your MIVI centre for information on the agreements with insurance companies.