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

Response from the owner:Muchas gracias por tu valoración Ruth!
Saludos
Buenas tardes estoy muy agradecida con las atenciones de el dr Manuel García de la unidad del dolor gracias a sus infiltraciones mi dolor lumbar a ido mejorando soy una persona con fibromialgia y los dolores son insoportables pero gracias a dios y al el dr al día de hoy me siento mucho mejor y también gracias a Montse q es una persona muy amable y atenta sois un gran equipo muchas gracias por sus atenciones
Response from the owner:Muchas gracias Lorena por tu reseña y por confiar en MIVI Salud. Esperamos seguir siendo tu primera opción a la hora de cuidarte
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Tengo que agradecer al Doctor Francisco Duca por haber encontrado la causa de mi dolor después de 8 días de ingreso con muchísimo dolor.
Trato cercano y excelente.
Eternamente agradecida!
Response from the owner:Gracias Estefania por las 5 estrellas y por confiar en nuestros servicios y en el doctor Duca. En MIVI Salud estamos para ayudar a nuestros pacientes de la mejor forma posible. Un saludo.
Trato exquisito del doctor, muy humano. Ha tenido en todas las visitas una gran empatía y tiene la voluntad de quitar el dolor , no dudando en hacer cualquier procedimiento para conseguirlo. Muy profesional. Esta unidad, la del tratamiento del dolor, es absolutamente imprescindible y ayuda mucho a los pacientes
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Un saludo
EXCELENTE Y PROFESIONAL SERVICIO.
Desde el primer momento, la cita con el Dr., el seguimiento para las citas, el seguimiento después del tratamiento y toda la atención recibida ha sido muy profesional, amable y atenta, desde los y las enfermeras, al doctor y auxiliares. Da gusto encontrarse un servicio así hoy en día. Gracias, recomiendo este servicio. FELICIDADES.
Response from the owner:Muchas gracias por tu valoración Alfonso!
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Excelentes profesionales.
Ambiente agradable, entre ellos y con los pacientes.
Apoyando siempre para q podamos soportar y superar las lesiones.
Atención de 10, tanto en la recepción, la chica es super amable, como en atención con el doctor y enfermeras.
Recomendable al 100%.
Gran profesional Dr Garcia, enpatico con el dolor humano, trato inmejorable. Mi dolor de artrosis cervical desapareció. Unidad necesaria, muchas gracias a todo el equipo
Response from the owner:Gracias Montserrat por compartir su experiencia en MIVI Salud. Nos alegra saber que tuvo una excelente visita con el Dr./Dra. García y nuestro equipo.
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Trato estupendo. Indoloro y rápido y ahora a la espera de resultados. Muchas gracias!!
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