Regenerative vs Restorative Surgical Options for Knee Arthritis and Cartilage Injuries

Inside Orthopedics Today with focus on reconstruction & regenerative medicine in sports

There are a number of different types of arthritis that can affect the knees. However, the most common form is rheumatoid arthritis, which commonly affects people who are in their thirties or forties. People who are in their sixties and seventies are at the highest risk for developing this condition. However, there is a difference between knee oa rheumatoid arthritis and normal rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, the symptoms of both conditions often mirror each other, which makes it difficult for a person to accurately tell the difference between them.

There are some prescription medications that are effective in treating knee osteoarthritis, and one such medication is the popular anti-inflammatory steroid, ibuprofen. It is important that you check with your doctor before taking any medications, particularly if you already have another medical condition. Studies have shown that women who take ibuprofen have a reduction in the severity of their osteoarthritis pain compared to those who don't take the medication. According to new research, anti-inflammatory medicines do not help prevent further damage to the cartilage lining but they do slow down the progression of the disease. This is a very beneficial result when you consider how fast this condition progresses once it begins.

Other factors that can lead to knee osteoarthritis include infection, injury, trauma, and differential diagnosis. Many conditions that affect the bones around the joints can also contribute to this condition. These include bursitis, gout, and kidney stones. Bursitis refers to swelling in the bursa, which is necessary for protecting the joint against friction. Gout is a condition that involves the accumulation of uric acid crystals within the joints; these crystals cause intense pain, stiffness, and damage around the affected areas.

Links from the show

https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-releases/2021/january/new-treatment-target-discovered-that-halts-osteoarthritis-like-knee-cartilage-degeneration

https://stemcellthailand.org/therapies/knee-injury-acl-mcl-pcl-surgery-alternative/

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/minimally-invasive-total-knee-replacement

https://hs.kku.ac.th/HUSOIPR/webboard/view_topic.php?id=140765

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/15/health/joint-replacement-baby-boomers-technology.html