- A little know fact is, that there are actually three different types of arthritis, which can be a possibility, when you start to experience joint pain in the knee area. Arthritis of the knee is a common complaint and in order to treat it properly your doctor will need to diagnosis what kind of arthritis you have.
- The most common one is osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis usually progresses very slowly over time. This disease is a progressive and degenerative disease, that wears away the cartilage in the knee area. It’s rarely seen in young people and is common amount people who are middle age or older. More severe is rheumatoid arthritis, which is more of an inflammatory arthritis, that can eventually cause the destruction of the cartilage in the knee area. Rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age and is a very debilitating condition. Post traumatic arthritis is much rarer since it usually only develops after an injury occurs.
What if I have Arthritis of the Knee?
- If you suspect that you have arthritis of the knee, see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. It will usually involve simple x-rays, blood tests as well as some imaging tests. These may include an MRI, in order to determine the correct arthritis you have. Once it has been determined what type of arthritis you have, there are a number of different treatment options available to you. The first issue that will be addressed is the one of pain. You doctor will likely put you on aspirin or NSAID’s for short term relief. These medications should not be used for long term relief, due to the many serious side effects that they can cause.
- You doctor will also probably suggest a change in your lifestyle which can include weight loss, cycling or swimming for exercise, instead of running or high impact aerobics and gentle flat surface walking. You may also be given a set of exercises that will help to improve your range of motion and keep the affected area as flexible as possible. Losing weight can make a significant difference for those suffering with arthritis of the knee. The less weight the knee has to support the better it is for for the knee. Some people also find relief by using supportive devices like a cane or a knee brace.
What About Supplements for Knee Arthritis?
- Your doctor may also suggest looking at alternative treatments such as glucosamine and chondroitin. One product, known as Flexcin CM8, has glucosamine and chondroitin as part of its formula, but it also has the added benefit of cetyl myristoleate. Together, all of these ingredients help in reducing inflammation in the affected area, which helps to reduce the level of pain that people experience. It also helps to keep the joints lubricated, as well as the surrounding tissue and muscles. It will work as an anti-inflammatory, and the reduction in inflammation will help with pain levels. Doctors are very willing to add this as part of an overall program, due to the fact that it is 100% natural and has absolutely no side effects.
- One of the biggest treatment problems for people who have arthritis of the knee, is side effects from the number of medications they take. Whether over the counter or prescribed medications, they can have serious side effects and doctors will not recommend them for long term use. The person suffering with arthritis will need to find other long term solutions to help relieve their discomfort. This has most definitely led to a surge in natural treatments, since the side effects of medications can end up causing more problems than they cure. Discuss natural treatments with your doctor in order to have the most effective treatment plan for you and your condition.
