 Diagnosis & Therapy |
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 Arthritis in the Knee Joint |
What is arthritis? What causes it? What are the symptoms?
Arthritis is characterised by excessive and premature wear-and-tear of the cartilage that "cushions" the bone surfaces in a joint. It can be caused by a number of things: such as putting excessive strain on the joint (e.g. from jogging), being over-weight or hormonal imbalance. It can also be hereditary. People with so-called "knock-knees" or "bow-legs" are also prone to arthritis in the knee. The characteristic symptoms of arthritis are: the joint cannot handle as high a load as before, difficulty in flexing or straightening the joint fully, irritation/pain and "heating up". It is also common that the joint seems to get better for a while before the symptoms simply reappear later.
How can arthritis in the knee be treated?
Irritation can be reduced by taking out stray bodies such as fragments of cartilage that are found in an arthritic joint. In the case of chronic arthritis, where not just the cartilage but also the bone surfaces have begun to wear down, it is possible to stimulate the growth of new cartilage with a technique known as abrasion. Abrasion stimulates the blood supply to the bone surface, which in turn stimulates the growth of new cartilage. Abrasion is also an excellent - and more desirable - alternative to knee joint replacement, especially for younger patients. Alpha's Dr. Toft has performed this technique successfully on over 4000 patients since 1982. |
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How long will I be off work?
Office workers who were treated with the abrasion technique can usually go back to work after two or three weeks. although you will have to stay on crutches for eight to twelve weeks: if it is not possible to do your job on crutches, you will have to stay off work this long.
Can I play sports again?
This depends on the quality of the new cartilage that forms after abrasion - which you need to have checked. Some patients have even been able to play tennis/ski again. However, sport of any kind in the first year after the operation is not a good idea, as the new cartilage is still forming. |
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