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

Una vez más muy agradecidos por la atención recibida por todo el personal que ha intervenido en la atención a nuestro familiar. Muchas gracias a todos.
Muy buen tratamiento
Response from the owner:Gracias José Luis! encantados de poder atenderte satisfactoriamente. Un saludo
Todo excelente. Estoy muy contenta con el trato tanto profesional como humano, sobre todo de mi fisioterapeuta Alicia.
Response from the owner:Muchas gracias por tu valoración tan positiva Antonio! Saludos
Response from the owner:Muchas gracias Aicha ! Nos alegra saber que su experiencia en MIVI Salud fue excelente. Esperamos poder servirle nuevamente en el futuro. Saludos
Magnífico equipo de fisioterapeutas!!!! En especial mi fisioterapeuta Andrea, profesional, empática y encanto de persona. Fui recomendada por una compañera mía por un dolor inespecífico en la zona inguinal, y gracias a ella, a su valoración con ecógrafo y tratamiento, a día de hoy por fin he podido retomar mis clases de pádel. Gracias Andrea!!!!
Excelentes profesionales.
Ambiente agradable, entre ellos y con los pacientes.
Apoyando siempre para q podamos soportar y superar las lesiones.
Response from the owner:Muchas gracias Cristina por tu valoracion! Un saludo
De las mejores clinicas de fisioterapia que he ido. Las chicas son un encanto y los trabajadores super profesionales . Ya no voy a otra y mira que he probado clinicas y fisios .
Response from the owner:• En MIVI Salud nos esforzamos por brindar un servicio integral y de calidad, desde la recepción hasta nuestros especialistas. Nos alegra saber que has tenido una experiencia satisfactoria con nosotros y que estás viendo resultados positivos en tu tratamiento. Siempre estamos aquí para cuidar de ti. Saludos
Trato excelente al paciente de la unidad del dolor de clínica Quirón Vallès. El doctor (se llama David) como la secretaria Montse excelentes profesionales. El doctor tiene unas manos expertas y las infiltraciones las hace con mucho cuidado y profesionalidad.

Insurance companies

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