Have Knee Pain?
Did you know that there are many options for managing and reducing your pain? Before you put up with discomfort and limited mobility any longer, take a moment to learn the facts about knee pain from your local Reno, Sparks, and Carson City knee experts. We’ll also provide information on how knee pain can be treated both non-surgically and surgically.
What is Osteoarthritis?
One of the most common causes of chronic knee pain is arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis (OA). OA occurs when there is a breakdown in the cushioning cartilage between joints. When this cartilage wears down, bones begin to rub against each other, causing pain, swelling, stiffness and damage to other parts of the knee.
While the exact cause is unknown, there are several factors that may increase risk of developing OA:
Age: The strongest risk factor for OA is age5. Typically seen in patients over 45, it may also start in young adulthood often due to injury.3
Gender: Women are not only more likely to have OA than men, they may also have more severe OA.6
Joint Injury: Traumatic injury to a joint increases the risk of developing OA.7
Obesity: There is consistent evidence that obesity increases the risk of symptomatic hip OA.8
Joint Alignment: People with joints that are not aligned correctly, like bowlegs or dislocated hips, are more likely to develop OA in those joints.9
Prevalence
There is a lifetime risk developing symptomatic knee OA of around 40% for men and 47% in women. This risk increases to 60% in people with a BMI of 30 or higher.2
Diagnosis
OA generally presents itself with pain that has developed gradually, with stiffness or swelling of the joint – mostly associated with activity. A doctor performs a physical examination that focuses on the patient’s walk, range of motion in the joint and swelling or tenderness. Cartilage loss can be generally confirmed with x-rays that show a loss of cartilage in the affected knee.
Nonsurgical Treatment Options
OA can be treated either non-surgically, or with a variety of surgical treatment options. Nonsurgical options generally begin with lifestyle modification – losing weight, switching from running to lower-impact exercises and minimizing activities that may aggravate the patient’s condition. Certain drugs are available for the treatment of OA, such as anti-inflammatory and pain management medications. Physical therapy can also help increase the range of motion and flexibility in affected joints, and supportive devices like braces, canes and specialized shoes can assist with pain and weight-bearing issues. 10 Swift Institute offers physical therapy in Reno, Carson City, and Sparks.
Surgical Treatment Options
Total knee replacement with Lantern
When all non-invasive treatment has been exhausted and/or the damage is extensive, Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is one of the most successful of all surgical procedures, with a 90-95% success rate for pain relief.11 It involves replacing the bones of the knee with a combination of metal and plastic.
TKR performed with Lantern demonstrate several benefits over traditional total knee surgery, including:
- Studies demonstrate patients experience less blood loss17
- A more accurate and aligned knee implant15
- Surgeon has 100% control of the Lantern technology throughout surgery, based on real-time data
We understand that the decision to undergo a joint replacement procedure is a significant one and we go to great lengths to make the entire process as smooth as possible for our patients. If you are a candidate to have knee replacement surgery performed at Swift Institute, we will:
- Educate you on the current condition of your knee
- Explain your long-term prognosis should you choose to have knee replacement surgery or to put it off
- Provide you with a clear post-surgical treatment plan to help increase the likelihood of a successful operation
- Answer any questions that you have in the days leading up to and following your knee replacement procedure
Our orthopedic physicians are recognized as being among the most highly trained and skilled in their area of expertise, and we have a proven track record of providing successful treatment in even the most highly advanced cases. Plus, we have existing relationships with many fully licensed and accredited surgical centers in the community, ensuring you won’t have to travel far to receive the world-class care you require.
To learn more about the numerous knee replacement treatments that we offer in the Reno, Sparks, and Carson City area, contact the orthopedic specialists at Swift Institute today.
