Understanding Knee & Hip Osteoarthritis:
The Back & Body Clinic’s Treatment Approach
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a very common condition that affects over 595 million people worldwide. While it can affect various joints in the body, knee and hip OA are among the most prevalent. The symptoms of knee and hip OA can be similar, which often leads to confusion. In this blog, we will explore how to distinguish between knee and hip OA, discuss what you can do about it, and explain how the Back and Body Medical team can help manage your OA symptoms effectively.
Knee Osteoarthritis:
Knee OA primarily affects the knee joint. Some common symptoms include:
- Pain in the knee, often aggravated by physical activity
- Swelling and stiffness in the knee joint
- Reduced range of motion
- A sensation of grating or crunching when moving the knee
- The knee joint may appear enlarged or deformed in severe cases
Hip Osteoarthritis:
Hip OA, on the other hand, affects the hip joint and can cause:
- Pain in the groin, outer thigh, or buttocks, which can radiate down to the knee
- Stiffness and decreased range of motion
- Difficulty walking, especially with severe hip OA
- A feeling of weakness in the hip
It is important to note that both knee and hip OA symptoms tend to worsen over time, making it crucial to seek medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosing Knee and Hip OA
Proper diagnosis of knee or hip OA is essential to develop an effective treatment plan. Here is how you can find out if you have OA in these joints:
- 1) Consult a healthcare professional: If you are experiencing persistent joint pain, it is crucial to see a health care professional. They will conduct a physical examination, review your medical history, and may recommend imaging tests such as X-rays or MRI scans to confirm the diagnosis.
- 2) Distinguishing between knee and hip OA: Your doctor/therapist will also help you determine if your symptoms are more indicative of knee or hip OA. This distinction is important because treatment approaches can vary.
Treatment Options
Once you have been diagnosed with knee or hip OA, there are several treatment options to consider:
Medications:
- Topical or oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Injectables:
Physical therapy:
- A physiotherapist or osteopath can provide expert hands on treatment, administer acupuncture or dry needling, and design an exercise program to strengthen the muscles around the affected joint, improve range of motion and mobility around the joint, and reduce pain.
- We can also recommend surgical interventions: In severe cases where conservative treatments are ineffective, surgical options like knee or hip replacement surgery may need to be considered. We can signpost you into the right hands for this.
Lifestyle modifications:
- Regular strengthening exercises and physical activity,
- Maintaining a healthy weight,
- Using assistive devices like braces, crutches/walking sticks or orthotics can help reduce pain and improve mobility.
Surgical interventions:
Surgery is generally considered when conservative treatments are no longer
effective, and the individual experiences significant pain and disability. Surgical
options for osteoarthritis include
– Arthroscopy – A minimally invasive procedure to remove or repair damaged
cartilage.
– Joint replacement – in severe, joint replacement surgery may be
recommended, where the osteoarthritic joint is replaced with an artificial one
The decision for surgery depends on factors such as the severity of your symptoms, the impact on your daily life, and how well you respond to non- surgical treatments. It is crucial to have a thorough discussion with our medical consultants, who can evaluate your condition and guide you in making an informed decision based on your specific circumstances.
How The Back and Body Team Can Help
The Back and Body team is a multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals dedicated to managing musculoskeletal pain, including knee and hip OA. Here is how they can assist you:
- Comprehensive evaluation: The team will conduct a thorough assessment of your condition, including a detailed medical history and physical examination, and using diagnostic tests where appropriate to determine the extent of your OA.
- Personalised treatment plans: They will create a customised treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, which may include a combination of physical therapy, osteopathy, injections and other interventions.
- Pain management: The team can provide various pain management techniques including various guided and unguided injectables to help you relieve pain and improve your quality of life.
- Ongoing support: The Back and Body team will work with you to monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed, ensuring that you get the best results.
Conclusion:
Knee and hip osteoarthritis can be a challenging conditions to manage, but with the right diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan, it is possible to live a more comfortable and active life. The Back and Body team is committed to helping you manage your OA symptoms effectively, providing comprehensive care and support throughout your journey to better your joint health. Don’t let OA hold you back; seek professional help, and take the first step towards a pain-free future.Comprehensive evaluation: The team will conduct a thorough assessment of your condition, including a detailed medical history and physical examination, and using diagnostic tests where appropriate to determine the extent of your OA. Personalised treatment plans: They will create a customised treatment plan
tailored to your specific needs, which may include a combination of physical
therapy, osteopathy and other interventions.
Pain management: The team can provide various pain management
techniques including various guided and unguided injectables to help you
relieve pain and improve your quality of life.
For more information visit our website page, focusing on all things Osteoarthritis.
Written by Dr Lisa Hyland