Your physician has diagnosed you with arthritis in your knee. Your neighbour tells you that it hurts her knee. Your friend tells you that they had a similar problem and had to get a knee replacement. It's confusing — and it doesn't have to be.
A lot of patients think that any pain in the knee is arthritis. Some people think that if you have arthritis, you need surgery. Both are not necessarily the case.
It's important to know the difference between knee pain and knee arthritis because the treatment depends on the cause of the pain. Fortunately, many knee problems can be successfully treated without surgery if they are diagnosed in time.
This article will help you to understand what is going on inside your knee and what are the treatment options that you can use if you are looking for knee pain treatment in Chennai.
Knee Pain vs Knee Arthritis — Are they the same?
No, that's the short answer.
Knee pain is a symptom. Knee arthritis is a form of arthritis which can lead to knee pain.
Knee pain is a warning sign. This can be caused by arthritis, ligament damage, tendon inflammation, cartilage damage, muscle strain and other joint issues.
However, knee arthritis is a degeneration and wear of the knee joint. This is one of the most frequent causes of subacute knee pain in adults over the age of 45.
This is significant because not all knee pain patients are the same and do not necessarily need the same treatment. An experienced knee pain specialist in Chennai can accurately diagnose the problem and create a treatment strategy that will lead to the best possible outcome.
Knee Arthritis Definition. (OA Explained Simply)
The most prevalent type of knee arthritis is called osteoarthritis (OA).
Cartilage serves as a buffer between the bones within a normal knee. This cartilage may gradually deteriorate with time. At that time, there is pain, stiffness, swelling and diminished mobility caused by the rubbing of the bones.
Common symptoms of knee arthritis include:
Knee pain that gets worse when walking or going up stairs.
Morning stiffness
Swelling around the knee
Grinding/cricking sensations
Limited knee movement, both bending and straightening.
A throbbing pain that slowly begins to happen more often.
One thing many patients who come in to treat arthritis at the knee are shocked by is that arthritis develops gradually over the course of years and can often be effectively treated early.
So, what causes knee pain without arthritis?
Not every knee pain is due to arthritis.
Knee pain can occur with normal cartilage, due to a variety of conditions.
Ligament Injuries
The ligaments that hold the knee in place can be injured by sports-related activities, falls or an abrupt twist of the knee.
Tendon Inflammation
The tendons in the area around the knee can be irritated by overuse, repetitive movement or extended standing.
Meniscus Injuries
The meniscus is a shock absorber within the knee. Tears can lead to pain, locking or clicking.
Muscle Imbalances
Muscle weakness around the knee can make it more susceptible to stress and a cause of chronic pain.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
It is a condition that results in pain around the kneecap and is common in active adults and those who often climb stairs.
If these causes can be diagnosed early, it can stop long term joint damage and lessen the need for more effective treatments in the future for many patients.
Knee Pain vs Knee Arthritis: 2 in 1 comparison.
Maintaining a healthy knee is essential for reducing the risk of knee pain and knee arthritis.
It is important to recognize that knee pain is not the same as knee arthritis so that patients can make an informed decision about treatment and not fear the condition.
The question every patient asks — Do I need a knee replacement?
One of the initial issues that patients are likely to visit the clinic for is this.
The good news is that many people with knee arthritis do NOT require knee replacement – particularly in the early and middle phase.
In the last 10 years, there have been many improvements in modern pain management treatments. For all those who had been advised to "wait until the arthritis resolves" there are now effective non-surgical treatments available.
Injections such as PRP therapy are advanced pain management options that can help alleviate pain and restore function, helping people avoid surgery altogether or at least postpone it.
Many people who seek knee OA treatment without surgery in Chennai are surprised at the extent of relief that can be obtained via focused treatment and rehabilitation.
The important thing is to intervene at an early stage, before the joint damage becomes extensive.
Knee pain is a common condition that affects many people, especially as they age.
A relatively new and effective non-surgical treatment is called PRP therapy or platelet rich plasma.
PRP therapy involves obtaining growth factors from your own blood that can repair damaged knee cartilage and minimize inflammation.
A small quantity of the patient's blood is taken and then concentrated to provide healing components. PRP is then injected into the knee that is affected using precise image guided techniques.
It only takes about an hour to complete at Dr. RRB Pain Care and most people feel better within 4–6 weeks of this procedure.
The patients who might benefit from PRP therapy for knee pain chennai are:
Patients with early and early to moderate arthritis in their knees.
Patients who want something other than surgery
People who have persistent pain in their knees.
Patients who did not respond sufficiently to medicine and physiotherapy
It is a common question among patients that PRP injection can prevent knee replacement surgery in Chennai.
Although each patient case is unique, PRP may be an effective way of slowing or minimizing the necessity of surgery in patients who are an appropriate match.
Dr. RajaRajan Balasubramanian is a DABRM certified and FIPP qualified and is one of the best interventional pain specialists in India. He has performed hundreds of PRP and advanced interventional procedures with knee arthritis patients.
Knee pain patients are treated by all Dr RRB Pain Care in Maraimalai Nagar of Tambaram, Kattankulathur, Guduvancheri, Oragadam and throughout South Chennai.
FAQ
What are the differences between knee pain and knee arthritis?
The pain in the knee may be due to a number of problems. Knee arthritis is actually a condition of the knee joint cartilage deterioration which frequently results in knee pains and stiffness.
Is there any knee arthritis treatment without surgery in Chennai?
Yes. There are numerous patients who can be treated with non-surgical treatments that include PRP therapy, rehabilitation, lifestyle changes, and advanced interventional pain management procedures.
In how many PRP injections is the knee pain cured?
The treatment involves a number of PRP injections depending on the severity of the condition. A few patients get better with one treatment, and others may need more, depending on an assessment of the case.
Is PRP better than steroid injection for knee arthritis?
PRP and steroid injections are used for different things. The difference between the two is that the steroids are primarily to treat inflammation and provide a temporary relief whereas PRP is meant for healing the tissue and offering long term improvement. Depending on the patient's condition, the most appropriate is the one.
When should surgery be considered for your knee arthritis?
However, surgery is generally reserved for when conservative treatments are not providing enough pain relief, and when the arthritis is causing significant loss of function or severe pain.
Schedule a Consultation Today.
You don't need to suffer from knee pain — and you don't need to opt for knee surgery.
Dr. RRB Pain Care is a knee arthritis doctor in Maraimalai Nagar, Chennai, providing high-quality non surgical knee arthritis treatment.
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Dr.Rajarajan Balasubaramanian, MBBS,MD,DNB,FNB (WIP,USA,DABRM(USA)
India’s first National Board and America Board Certified interventional pain specialist. Pain Management specialist at Dr RRB Pain Care , Maraimalai Nagar, Chennai.
