Severe knee osteoarthritis is a condition that can affect anyone but most often will affect someone who is older or someone who enjoys an active life playing sports. Sports can be hard on the knees and many older people, especially men, will experience severe knee osteoarthritis.
What does Severe Knee Osteoarthritis Feel Like?
This can be a terrible painful knee issue. You will feel agonizing pain when you move your knee or knees and sometimes even when standing still. The pain will prevent you from enjoying most activities that you previously enjoyed. In many cases, someone who enjoys a particular sport will take an indefinite break from the game because of the severe pain.
A trip to the doctor is definitely called for if you have agonizing pain in your knees. After a getting a proper diagnosis, the doctor will recommend one or a combination of several remedial treatments including cortisone shots, medication and even surgery. Knee braces are recommended by many doctors for patients who are looking for a less invasive type of treatment that does not involve drugs.
Treatment Options
Pain Medication - When you have severe knee osteoarthritis, your first instinct is to want to stop the pain. Taking pain medication can alleviate the pain but can be addictive and will build up a tolerance in your system. This means that you could need to take an increasing amount of the pain medication in order get the same effect. Pain medication can eliminate pain, but is only temporary and can have negative long term side effects.
Cortisone Shots - Cortisone shots can be very effective at alleviating the pain brought on by severe knee osteoarthritis. However, it is only a temporary fix and the effect will wane as the condition wears on. Cortisone shots should only be administered by your doctor and will work for a matter of days or weeks.
Surgery - Some physician's will recommend surgical options to you depending on your particular symptoms. Surgical options include Arthroscopy, Osteotomy and Arthroplasty. While knee surgery can help people, it is not always the best answer for everyone. In addition to having a long recovery time, this procedure can be terribly expensive and is not always covered by insurance.
Knee braces - Knee braces are one of the best ways to treat knee pain in a non-invasive and safe manner. Designed to fit firmly over the knee and hold the knee in place, braces can help give you the support you need when you need it most. Knee supports are readily available, more than ever, especially online.
If you have problems from severe knee osteoarthritis, then you have options when it comes to your treatment. Taking the proper action will help you enjoy your favorite activities with the pain.
If you believe that you can benefit from improved knee support and a reduction in knee pain, then you should consider an OA (unloader) knee brace today.
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If you are having any of the mentioned knee pain problems in this article, then you should visit us online today at: http://www.drbraceco.com. A brace can be the key to helping you get moving again!
