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Abstract: The patient came to the clinic with intermittently increasing pain in the knee joint with limited joint movement and morning stiffness, and was diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee joint by frontal and lateral knee radiographs. The patient was advised to use conservative treatment, including activity restriction and microwave therapy. After comprehensive treatment, the patient’s knee pain, limited activity and morning stiffness improved significantly.
Basic information】Male, 60 years old
Disease Type】Knee Osteoarthritis
Hospital】Harbin First Hospital
Date of Consultation】September 2021
Treatment plan】Conservative treatment (activity restriction + loxoprofen sodium tablets to relieve pain + microwave therapy + local heat application + leg muscle exercise)
Treatment period】7 days of inpatient treatment, 1 month of outpatient follow-up
Effectiveness】Knee pain, limitation of activity and morning stiffness improved significantly
I. Initial consultation
The patient came to the clinic because of intermittently increasing pain in the knee joint, accompanied by limitation of joint movement and morning stiffness. A frontal and lateral X-ray of the knee joint revealed narrowing of the joint space, periarticular osteophytes, and loss of symmetrical relationship of the joint space, which was consistent with the diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Since the joint gap still existed, the patient was advised to use conservative treatment to relieve clinical symptoms, and if conservative treatment could not bring the symptoms under control, surgery was further considered.
II. Treatment history
The patient’s symptoms were mainly based on knee pain and restricted movement, and no serious knee deformity was observed. The inflammation of the knee joint was still in the middle stage and did not cause serious joint dysfunction, so conservative treatment was adopted. During the acute phase of symptoms, weight-bearing activities of the knee joint are limited, and patients need to rest in bed as much as possible, with the assistance of crutches or walkers for activities away from bed. In addition, daily leg muscle exercises were performed to enhance the stability of the knee joint. The patient was discharged after 7 days of inpatient treatment and was instructed to follow up in outpatient clinic for 1 month.
III. Treatment effect
Through comprehensive conservative treatment, the osteoarthritis of the knee joint was promptly controlled, and the progression of the disease was significantly slowed down. The patient’s symptoms of knee pain, restricted movement, and morning stiffness were significantly improved. Under the guidance of the physician, the patient’s aerobic exercise resulted in weight loss, knee joint stress relief, and simultaneous improvement in knee joint stability. Patients have been able to participate in moderate exercise after treatment, such as swimming and elliptical machine, which not only improve joint protection but also strengthen their own immune function.
IV. Notes
We are glad that after treatment the patient’s pain is relieved and knee movement is restored. Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint have experienced relief of symptoms after treatment, but they still need to pay attention to joint protection in daily life, avoid strenuous exercises such as frequent squatting exercises, and strictly control walking time as well as walking distance to reduce joint wear and tear. Leg muscle exercises need to be maintained for a long time in order to maintain the stability of the knee joint, protect the knee cartilage from excessive wear and tear, and prevent frequent inflammation of the knee joint. Regular review of frontal and lateral x-rays of the knee will confirm the degree of osteoarthritis in the knee, and if it is severe and accompanied by joint deformity, surgical treatment should be considered.
V. Personal insight
Osteoarthritis of the knee is mainly caused by degenerative changes in the knee joint. Excessive weight gain and excessive activity are important pathological causes of degenerative changes in the knee joint. Prevention is needed in daily life, and if knee discomfort occurs, it is important to follow up with an orthopaedic clinic and seek active treatment. Early intervention can often bring osteoarthritis of the knee under control, prevent rapid progression of the disease, and protect the knee joint as much as possible so that the life of the knee joint can be extended.