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

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Carmen Díaz Bonilla
La atención por parte de Paula que está en el mostrador es encantadora y el médico que me atiende, Nicolás Sarria es una maravilla de persona y te atiende y te escucha dando soluciones a mi problema, sin duda todo un acierto haber venido a Vithas.
Response from the owner:Nos alegra mucho saber tu opinión Paula! En MIVI Salud, nos esforzamos por ofrecer siempre el mejor cuidado para nuestros pacientes. Estamos aquí para cuidar de ti. ¡Gracias por tu confianza y fidelidad!
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Buenos días! Hoy quiero dar mi agradecimiento al equipo de fisioterapeuta de la mañana ALICIA, ANDREA Y ESTRELLA. Me llevo tratando con ellas 1 mes y medio y no puedo estar más contenta. Llegas y te atienden siempre con mucho ánimo, cariño y te hacen sentir cómoda, q pesar de su volumen de trabajo. Son unas profesionales, y empatízan con el paciente motivándolo siempre. Las recomendaría 100% . Aún sigo tratándome con Alicia y Andrea y veo mi evolución dia tras días gracias a su trabajo. muchísimas Gracias chicas por ser tanprofesional.
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Son un equipazo, buenas personas y profesionales.
Persian StarLord
Me parece genial como funciona la clinica, el personal es amable y profesional, gunciona muy bien respecto a otras y especial mención a Rosa que es un amor, esa mujer tiene el cielo ganado, mis dieses :)
Antonio Contreras
Magníficos/as profesionales y exquisitez en el trato.
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Sonia Sobrino
Mi experiencia no puede ser mejor, vivir sin dolor, me ha devuelto la alegría y las ganas de vivir,muchas gracias Dc.Manuel David García.
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Contentísima! Atención trato excelente.

Muchas gracias! Dr.Néstor y secretaria Andrea,por vuestra sensibilidad, cercanía, amabilidad. Me ha mejorado la vida 🧬
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Sóc Neus Hernández i voldria mostrar el meu agraïment al Dr Ducca i el seu equip, m he sentit molt ben tractada per tots ells, fent tot el possible per treure,m el dolor. Moltes gràcies també al personal de recepcio.
Response from the owner:Muchas gracias Neus por tu comentario y por confiar en nuestros profesionales de MIVI Salud. Cuenta con nosotros siempre que necesites Un slaudo

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