Waiting lists for knee and hip replacement surgery are long due to Covid 19 pandemic. Many people however are unaware of the best way to treat this condition, and that surgery should always be a last resort.

Osteoarthritis is a painful whole joint condition that is influenced by many joint and person specific factors, and not simply a "wear and tear" problem. It is more common that high blood pressure and diabetes, and is the most common lifestyle disease in people over 65 years.

You do not need an x-ray to get a diagnosis of osteoarthritis. A physiotherapist can diagnose OA by careful clinical assessment, your signs and symptoms and your risk factors to the disease.

The most common joints of the body that are affected are the hip, knee and fingers. It is not always clear which structures of the knee become sensitised and cause pain. The knee joint, for example, is made up of cartilage, menisci, articular capsule, synovial fluid, ligaments and muscles all of which could be a source of pain.

Some common signs of hip or knee OA are pain with weight bearing, stiffness, reduced range of motion, sometimes swelling or red joints. Common problems might be walking for long periods, running, standing from a chair, gardening, putting socks and shoes on.

Best first line treatment for OA is education, exercise and weight loss (where appropriate).

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) recommend all people with hip and knee OA should be offered exercise. There is now extensive evidence that this approach leads to great outcomes in people with hip and knee OA.

If you, or someone you know has been giving an osteoarthritis diagnosis and want to learn the best way to manage this condition, get in touch or go to our website for more!
 

https://www.montyphysio.com.au/post/hip-knee-osteoarthritis-best-first-treatment

Stay well,

Pete Dal Lago

Monty Physio

9424 8887