Older people are most likely to develop osteoarthritis. Earlier, it was limited to elderly people, now many younger people are also suffering from orthopedic problems. The hips and knees are two of the joints that are most frequently impacted. 

It is estimated that around 240 million people worldwide have osteoarthritis. In India, approximately 62 million people are affected by osteoarthritis. 

Knowing the diagnosis and available treatments are important because sometimes managing hip or knee pain can be very difficult. In this article, we will discuss in detail how it can be carefully diagnosed and successfully treated.

Understanding Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis mainly affects the hip and knee joints, respectively. Let’s understand the signs of osteoarthritis. The slow degeneration of joint cartilage is the main sign of osteoarthritis. In a joint, cartilage serves as a cushion for protection at the ends of the bones. 

Pain, stiffness, and a reduction in the function of the joint can result from the degeneration of this cartilage. Because these joints are necessary for basic daily movements including walking, standing, sitting, and climbing stairs, osteoarthritis that affects the hips and knees can be extremely painful.

Osteoarthritis of the Hip and Knee: Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis:

Osteoarthritis of the hip and knee must be properly diagnosed before the right treatment can be started. Medical history, physical examination, imaging, and sometimes blood testing is all used in the diagnostic process:

Medical History: A detailed examination of your medical history is the first step in identifying hip or knee osteoarthritis. Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms when they first developed, and any previous joint-related accidents or surgeries. 

Physical Examination: The most important next step is a physical examination. Your doctor will evaluate the joint’s flexibility, stability, and general functionality. 

The presence of inflammation or joint swelling may be a symptom of osteoarthritis, so they will be looking for these signs. 

Imaging: X-ray imaging is frequently used to figure out the severity of joint damage. They are a good way to demonstrate osteoarthritis’ typical signs such as the narrowing of the joint area and the appearance of bone spurs. 

In challenging situations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans could be advised for a more in-depth look at the joint. 

Blood Tests: Blood tests are not required for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis itself, but they can be used to find other illnesses presenting with similar symptoms, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis Treatment

Once the cause of osteoarthritis has been identified by the doctor, he/she can start the treatment accordingly. The patients can choose a variety of treatment options to reduce pain, improve joint function, and improve quality of life. Here are some of the most commonly used treatment methods. 

Lifestyle Modifications: Changing your way of life can significantly affect how you manage osteoarthritis. It’s important to keep a healthy weight because it eases the pressure on the injured joints. 

Exercises with low impact, such as swimming or cycling, can keep joints flexible and improve the muscles around them. 

Physical therapy: To enhance joint function and reduce discomfort, a physical therapist can create a program of exercises customized for you. You will learn from them particular workouts and methods to build up the muscles that support your hip and knee joints. 

Medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen, both of which are available over-the-counter, can help manage pain and inflammation. Your doctor can occasionally suggest more hard drugs or injections like corticosteroids to help you feel better. 

Assistive Devices: Canes, crutches, or braces may be suggested to reduce the load on your hip or knee. These tools can increase mobility and assist in more evenly distributing weight, making daily tasks easier to handle. 

Surgery: Surgical procedures, such as joint replacement surgery, may be considered when conservative therapy has failed or the damage to the joints is severe. 

In this surgery, doctors remove the affected parts of the joints and replace them with implants made of heavy plastic, metal, or ceramic. 

Total Hip and Knee replacement surgeries are successful and have helped many people reduce pain and improve mobility. 

Alternative Therapies: Acupuncture, yoga, deep breathing, yoga, tai chi, meditation, massage, and relaxation techniques might help you if your osteoarthritis is not severe. Also, dietary supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are two alternative therapies that some people find helpful. 

It is important to speak to your orthopedic doctor before choosing any alternative therapies to be sure they are safe and suitable for your condition. 

Conclusion: 

We have learned about different types of diagnosis and treatment. Please take care of your bones and joints, eat well, and do appropriate exercise. Always seek the help of an orthopedic doctor for the right treatment. 

It is better to have the right treatment in the initial stage of osteoarthritis before it becomes severe. 

Here is my story of fighting osteoarthritis. I am originally from Dehradun, but I am currently living in Noida because of my office. I started developing osteoarthritis when I was 27 years old. Initially, I felt a little discomfort, but it was not a severe pain. 

Gradually, my knees started hurting a lot. I went to a general family physician near my home, but he recommended that I consult with an orthopedic doctor.

I took leave from work and visited a hospital in Delhi because the knee replacement surgery cost in Delhi is affordable. The surgeon diagnosed my knee properly by following the procedures mentioned above and recommended knee surgery. 

The surgeon I met was very professional and experienced; he assured me everything would be fine. I got the surgery done a month after his recommendation. Today I am 31 years old, and I feel no pain at all.

I have done a lot of research on osteoarthritis, and I would suggest that if you feel your knee or other joint pain is severe, you should immediately meet a good orthopedic doctor. Maybe your case does not require surgery, and the conservative treatment works well in your case.

If you live near Delhi NCR, you can easily come to Delhi. Not just knee replacement surgery, but hip replacement surgery in Delhi is also affordable. Sometimes the cost of the surgery may vary from patient to patient.

The final cost will be decided by the hospital based on the age of the patient, type of surgery, implants, and some other key factors.