How do bone spurs in the knee form? How is osteophytes in the knee treated? Osteomalacia is caused by degenerative changes in the joint and is often called “bone spurs” or “bone growths”. They are shaped like spurs and can appear as spur-like growths in the knee and heel. According to some data, the incidence of bone spurs is 85% in people around 50 years old and 98% in people between 60 and 80 years old. The incidence of bone spurs is proportional to the age of the person, and the older the person is, the higher the incidence of bone spurs. How do bone spurs occur? Bone spurs are usually the result of natural aging and are caused by wear and tear between joints, leading to osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, is typically characterized by the deterioration of the cartilage between the joints, leading to the development of bone spurs. Cartilage is the smooth tissue that covers the ends of bones. Healthy cartilage allows bones to slide against each other and reduces the impact of movement. As we age or use improper posture, the cartilage between the bones may become thinner or rupture due to long-term pressure and wear. The bones under long-term friction, in addition to causing pain, swelling, more likely to make the joint deformation or bone spurs. The poor posture of young people in their lives can also easily induce osteophytes. The danger of osteophytes: 1. Swelling and pain: The danger of osteophytes is that bone spurs will indirectly cause chronic strain on local tissues and also swelling and pain. It is generally aggravated from mild to very serious after activity to reduce weight-bearing and when there are many activities. 2, limb stiffness: rest can make the moderate joint stiffness aggravated called “gliosis”, is a kind of elastic stiffness and friction and adhesion different finger or large joint stiffness. The stiffness of osteophytes harms the function seriously. 3, muscle atrophy: some patients with osteophytes will even muscle atrophy because the muscles of the affected large joints become atrophied and the tension decreases. 4, body deformity: joint alignment and poor such as: knee valgus can cause deformity due to uneven joint surface. 5, limited activity: osteophytes due to fibrosis of the joint capsule bone superfluous joint surface unevenness or free body embedded in the joint can reduce the range of motion of the joint when the activity can occur fine or coarse grinding sound. What should I do if I have a bone spur inside my knee? How can osteophytes be treated? Osteomalacia is actually a “compensatory” protective measure of the body against joint degeneration and decreased stability, and to some extent, it is a “natural” phenomenon. Therefore, our treatment strategy is to reduce weight, adjust lifestyle, and exercise to reduce the burden on the joint and enhance joint stability, with a few people taking appropriate medications to relieve symptoms and, if necessary, surgery. The ultimate goal of treatment is to restore the function of the knee joint such as walking, so that patients with osteoarthritis of the knee can “move” and thus improve their physical function and quality of life. Basic treatment of osteophytes: Basic treatment is very important, but often neglected, and consists of three main aspects: (1) weight loss. When weight is reduced, joint pain and discomfort will naturally decrease, and the progression of joint disease will slow down. (2) Lifestyle adjustments. Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee should minimize the impact or excessive load on the knee joint activities, such as lifting heavy objects, climbing, climbing steps, squatting, running, etc. (3) Reasonable sports and exercise. Some people think that osteoarthritis and osteophytes are “worn out”, so they should try to minimize their activities and save their joints, which is actually a big misconception about osteoarthritis. This is a misconception about osteoarthritis. If the joint is not used, it will lead to muscle atrophy, and muscle atrophy will lead to decreased joint stability, which in turn will lead to increased joint pain and discomfort, and increased osteophytes. We recommend that patients with osteoarthritis of the knee have appropriate exercise such as walking on flat ground, cycling, or swimming when the joint pain is not too severe. Medication for osteophytes: Medication is only supplementary. It is mainly for painful symptoms. The preferred medication is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers, which do not need to be taken for a long time and need to be applied under the guidance of a doctor. Another well-known drug is glucosamine, commonly known as “ammonia”, which has been studied extensively, but there is no uniform opinion on its effectiveness. There is also a group of drugs that are injected into the joint cavity, such as sodium glassate and hormones. Sodium glassate is mainly used to lubricate the joints, while hormones are mainly used in cases of joint swelling and synovitis. Surgical treatment of osteophytes: Some patients with more severe cases may need to undergo surgery. Depending on the extent of the disease, the patient’s age, etc., there are different surgical procedures, including minimally invasive arthroscopic debridement, osteotomy and orthopedics, partial compartment replacement of the knee joint, and total knee surface replacement. All of these surgical approaches are now very mature, and one of the keys to successful surgery is choosing the right indications. In conclusion, the basic treatment for osteophytes and osteoarthritis of the knee is the “cornerstone”, with medications and surgery as adjuncts and necessary supplements. Through these comprehensive treatment measures, the ultimate goal is to enable patients with osteoarthritis of the knee to “walk”.