Practical Tips for Osteoarthritis of the Knee
These new tips are an extension of our previous knee tips presented in ARTHRITIS INFO Nos. 1 and 11, which contain many basic principles and which we would like to recommend once again.
Causes
1. Excessive Stress
Anyone who regularly puts excessive stress on the knees during work (for instance as a floor installer), or who is overweight, has an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knees. The same is true for those engaged in athletic activities with a high degree of stress and a high risk of injury to the knees. Patients who are overweight can help their joints a great deal by going on a vigorous weight-loss program (please refer to pages 4 - 6 of this issue). People who already have knee arthritis should avoid kneeling and squatting on the job.
2. Effusion or "Fluid within the Joint"
 Overuse of an osteoarthritic knee almost always causes effusion, or excess fluid within the joint. Unfortunately, this additional joint lubricant cannot replace the missing cartilage. In fact, it places more strain on the joint, which often swells up uncomfortably, resulting in increased strain on ligaments and tendons that can contribute to joint stiffness. Treating the inflammation with ice, elevation, and medication, can often reduce the excess fluid, but sometimes it must be drawn out of the knee by needle puncture.
3. Is Cortisone Still Used?
Cortisone is a very potent substance that can relieve pain and inflammation in an amazingly short period of time. Unfortunately, though, these injections can cause harm to the joint and the rest of the body if they are given too frequently and in too high a dose. Therefore, when cortisone has to be used in certain selected cases, physicians today see to it that the doses are kept as small as possible and that injections are repeated only after long intervals.
Treatment:
Bandages and Wraps
Significant relief from acute inflammation of the joint can also be obtained with simple, increasingly popular home remedies. These may include wraps that you can make out of chilled curds or cottage cheese. They can cool the joint and help reduce the swelling. Just spread a finger-width layer onto the inflamed joint, cover it with plastic wrap, and then wrap the joint with an elastic bandage. This treatment is particularly effective if the joint is relieved of stress at the same time, e. g. by limiting activity and spending time with the knee elevated.
Exercise
The following exercise can help to carefully strengthen the muscles and maintain flexibility.
1 - Lie on your back in a comfortable position.
2 - Bend the healthy knee until your foot is in a comfortable, flat position.
3 - Now, keeping the arthritic knee straight, raise the leg until your heel is about a foot off the ground. Simultaneously, bend your toes upward, and hold this position for about 7 seconds.
After a short rest (7 seconds), repeat the exercise several times. The whole routine should take about 5 minutes.