Knee pain is a debilitating condition faced by many. While knee pain can occur in the young generation, it is predominantly seen in senior citizens. The pain happens if the cartilage is torn or the ligament is ruptured. Medical conditions like arthritis, infections, and gout can result in knee pain. The following are the other causes of knee pain:
- Injury
- Ageing
- Stress on knees
- Bursitis
- Dislocated knee cap
- Osgood-Schlatter disease
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
Less severe knee pain can be treated at home, while the more painful ones require a diagnosis from doctors. The knee specialists at BLK-Max hospital provide comprehensive care to treat patients with this problem. They perform various treatments to help patients with stiffness or knee swelling caused by knee pain.
Treatment For Knee Pain
Knee treatment is necessary to repair the cartilage and reduce pain during movement. It is also essential to increase knee flexibility and strength. Proper treatment can also eradicate knee problems in the future. The doctors might provide medicines after diagnosis if they find that medications can cure the problem. In some cases, the specialists might suggest therapies or different exercises to strengthen the knee muscles. Based on the seriousness of the condition, the knee specialists conduct these treatments on patients.
But if the condition is severe, a knee replacement surgeon can recommend knee injections or knee replacement surgery.
- Knee Injections
The three injections can be injected into the body to provide pain relief.
- Corticosteroids: The corticosteroid drug is injected into the body to decrease the arthritis flare and pain.
- Hydraulic Acid: The injection of hydraulic acid improves mobility. It works by naturally lubricating the joints and thereby reducing friction. This injection is more effective than the former.
- Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP): It is provided to patients with osteoarthritis. The platelet-rich plasma helps heal the torn tissues and reduce swelling.
- Knee Replacement Surgery
The doctors perform knee replacement surgery on patients who have swelling and stiffness without engaging in strenuous activity. This surgery is done as the last treatment procedure when medicines or physiotherapy do not work. The knee replacement specialists at BLK Hospital use a surgical procedure to relieve the pain. The knee replacement surgery can be total or partial. Doctors charge higher knee replacement surgery cost for total knee replacement surgery.
- Total Knee Replacement Surgery
This procedure involves replacing the entire knee joint with an artificial one. In total knee replacement surgery, the lateral, medial, and patellofemoral compartments are removed from the knees. The success rate is 90-95% after this operation. At BLK-Max, the surgeons use high-quality technology and advanced techniques to ensure successful surgeries. The implants work effectively for more than 15 years after the operation.
- Partial Knee Replacement Surgery
In partial knee replacement surgery, the lateral or the medial compartments of the knee joints are removed and replaced with an artificial joint. Since only one compartment is removed and changed with an artificial joint, the blood loss is comparatively lesser. It is easier to perform than total knee replacement surgery and improves motion. It is more cost-effective than the total knee replacement surgery cost as artificial implant usage is less than the former.
Doctors can perform either of the two replacement surgeries after analysing the situation. The rates they charge for the surgery also depend on the following factors.
- Surgeon’s fee
- The number and the type of lab tests required
- The stay duration at the hospital
- The seriousness of the condition
- Price of the knee implants
Whether it is knee injections or replacements, both can give effective results if treated by a professional surgeon. Although knee injections are cheaper and less complicated than knee replacements, the latter provides better and long-lasting results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long do I need to rest after taking the knee injections?
A. After taking the injection, you might notice temporary bruises on the area. It will likely reduce in a few days. You should at least take 24 hours of rest and avoid exercising in that time frame for fast healing.
Q. Are there any side effects of knee injections?
A. If the injections aren’t provided with special care, the patient can experience side effects like swelling, pain, and difficulty moving the knee. In rare cases, bleeding can also occur. The patients must contact the doctor after witnessing these side effects immediately.
Q. Should I put ice on my knees after taking the gel injections?
A. While putting ice on the knees after taking the gel injection is safe, it is better to consult the doctor. Some doctors might advise putting ice to reduce temporary inflammations post-surgery, while others might recommend not to place ice and let it heal on its own.