What is osteoarthritis of the knee? Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disorder, also commonly referred to as osteophytes, bone spurs, degenerative osteoarthritis, degenerative osteoarthritis, proliferative osteoarthritis, or osteoarthrosis. The disease is a common joint lesion. Osteoarthritis predisposes the distal and proximal interphalangeal joints of the hand, the knee, elbow and shoulder joints, and the spinal joints, mostly the knee joint. The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and dysfunction, which are manifested as: joint pain, stiffness in the joints when waking up in the morning, in severe cases the joints cannot be straightened and extended, swelling of the joints, ringing sounds when the joints move, a feeling of heat when the joints are touched, and difficulty walking. Why? Older adults are most likely to develop osteoarthritis. Age and obesity are the main determining factors in the development of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs years after the bone damage suffered early in life activities, and as we age, the blood supply to the joints decreases and cartilage nutrition decreases, coupled with the change in weight distribution due to obesity. What to do? Early, timely, appropriate and regular treatment is the key to improving osteoarthritis. Although osteoarthritis cannot be cured, early and aggressive treatment can reduce pain, slow the progression of the disease, improve joint function, and prevent disability. In the early stage, medication, functional rehabilitation and physiotherapy can be taken, while in the late stage, multiple means of combined treatment can be used, and in severe cases, surgery can be used. 1. Drug therapy: anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs (non-steroidal and steroidal) specific drugs, also known as disease-modifying drugs (glucosamine and hyaluronic acid, etc.) 2. Arthroscopic treatment of osteoarthritis allows for an all-round cleaning of the joint, mainly removing tissue fragments that cause pain and inflammation; clearing synovial membranes that are prone to fluid accumulation and swelling; cleaning broken articular cartilage and meniscus; and grinding the proliferated bone flab in the joint, thus relieving symptoms. Features: minimal trauma and short hospital stay (2-3 days). (2) Minimally invasive high tibial osteotomy: osteotomy can shift the medial weight-bearing surface by correcting the force line of the lower limb, and can also assist in arthroscopic cleaning. Features: less invasive surgery, faster recovery, and lower cost than joint replacement. (3) Joint replacement: Joint replacement is considered when osteoarthritis becomes more severe and affects normal function. How to prevent it? 1, scientific exercise: daily life, should avoid joint overload pressure or exercise, such as climbing high buildings and mountains; pay attention to a balanced diet; appropriate exercise, such as walking, boxing exercises, etc., to strengthen the body’s resistance, recommended swimming exercise. 2, overweight people should control diet, increase activity, reduce weight, in order to help reduce the weight of the joint.