Knee osteoarthritis in Barranquilla, Colombia

What is knee osteoarthritis?

It is progressive wear of the knee cartilage. It is the most common form of osteoarthritis and increases with age, excess weight, previous meniscus or ligament injuries, leg misalignment and family history.

What symptoms does it cause?

Pain when walking, climbing or descending stairs and rising from a chair, stiffness when starting to move that eases within minutes, cracking, swelling, loss of motion and, over time, leg deformity.

Which treatments work?

The cornerstones are strengthening exercises for the thigh and hip muscles and weight loss: losing even a few kilos greatly reduces knee load. These are complemented by physical therapy, short courses of pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, aids such as a cane or knee brace, and corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections as appropriate.

When is surgery considered?

When pain greatly limits daily life and does not respond to conservative care. In younger people with wear on one side, an osteotomy can correct alignment. In advanced arthritis, partial or total knee replacement gives very good results in pain and function. Arthroscopic cleanup is not recommended for osteoarthritis.

Find knee osteoarthritis specialists

On MedicosDoc you can find knee orthopedists, physiatrists, rheumatologists and physical therapists. Compare profiles and book your appointment.