Steemit Learning Challenge-S21W2; Knee Osteoarthritis

AssalamuAlaikum & Greetings Everyone!

I am glad to see that the first week has ended and we are in 2nd week of the season 21, thanks teacher @ashkhan for this wonderful lecture on Knee Osteoarthritis.

Q.1 - What's knee OA? Write in your own words after getting knowledge from the lesson post.

Knee Osteoarthritis or Knee arthritis is a joint disease that occurs commonly with increasing age. In this disease, the walls of the knee joint and a special tissue, joint cartilage, erode and rub through. Lack of cartilage leads to rubbing of bones, which will lead to pain and discomfort during walking standing, sitting, and other activities.

Causes of Disease

This condition has a host of causes generally referred to as osteoarthritis of the knee. This is especially true in the youthful generations because cartilage gradually degenerates with age This is especially makes a lot of sense, especially with youngsters because we all know that cartilage starts to wear out as one age. Secondly, the problem of being overweight aggravates the stressed load on the knee joint, and cartilage damages it. Their findings also used to also support the fact that people with a family history of diseases are also likely to be affected by the diseases. Each of these with other factors such as previous knee surgery and injuries causes the condition to become worse in some individuals.

Symptoms of the Disease

Signs of knee osteoarthritis are pain at the knee joint, stiffness of the knee, swelling of the joint, and limited range of motion. Knees ought to ache in the morning and when one has been seated for a long time. However, it also can be the noise of walking at night, that indicates this disease. It progresses and over time the symptoms make it almost impossible for a person to be active.

Treatment and Precautions

Although osteoarthritis of the knee can be managed conservatively, it can also be treated in the following manners. In the early stages of the condition, certain movements, exercises, physiotherapy, and keeping the knee off might be beneficial. Proper dieting is also said to be crucial in order not to add any more pressure on the knees. These top doctors may also recommend certain drugs to help in the alleviation of pain. In some conditions, if the condition has gone out of hand and the patient is at high risk, then surgery can be carried out.

Useful Tips for Living

Knee OA does limit some activities but life doesn’t have to be burdensome. Many of these suggestions are communicated orally or in writing by the patient or a carer during a home visit or clinic visit. For instance, take foods rich in calcium and vitamin D to maintain strong bone density. Yoga and swimming are fine exercises as they assist in the development of the knee muscles. Further, it might help to wear comfortable shoes and a knee support belt or to wear something that supports the knee.

It worsens with time but with due diligence and ensure adherence to the necessary medical procedures, life can be made exciting.

Q.2 - How would you diagnose a knee OA? Any clinical investigation or assessment tests?

This paper focuses on the diagnosis and screening of knee OA so that timely intervention may be taken. The next thing is where is knee OA diagnosed and what clinical test assists.

First Sign and Physiological Background

The most common method of diagnosing knee OA requires the doctor to outline the patient’s symptoms. Physicians start for example with questions about each patient’s medical history – do they have knee pain, is there stiffness, swelling or even reduced range of motion? Alternatively, also observe whether pain is aggravated at morning or aggravated at mid or end of the day. Further, the pain or stiffness is evaluated about each thing a patient does daily, to identify how it impacts their lives.

Physical Examination

A medical history, is then succeeded by physical examination. Doctors pay attention to the knee’s ability to move and its flexibility, and sounds produced as the knee is manipulated such as a click. Oedema and erythema around the knee is also present. This gives the doctor an idea of ​​the condition of the knee joint and how much damage has been caused to this joint.

X-Rays

X-ray is the most basic and standard technique used in diagnosing. X-rays explain the gap between the bones of knee joint. In OA, this distance is different as the cartilage – the soft smooth area of the joints – deteriorates. The bones also may grow at the ends or get out of their position completely and this is a hallmark of OA.

MRI

If this information is required an MRI may also be done though an X-ray is often adequate. It can also make out the structures that are not as hard as bone such as cartilage, ligaments and tendons of the knee joint. MRI is more sensitive than CT and assists in determining injury to soft tissues other than bone.

Blood Tests

Blood tests do not diagnose OA but they might inform that someone has either Rheumatoid arthritis or not. If the swelling is too high and the joint pain stays around, blood can also be drawn and tested for infections or other inflammation.

Joint Fluid Analysis

At times, doctors also remove a bit of the synovial fluid for analysis while performing a procedure called arthrocentesis. This fluid points to the fact that there is no infection or any other inflammatory disease of the joint.

Specific Scoring System

Still, there are also different scoring systems measuring the extent of OA, for instance the “Kelgreen and Lawrence scale”. This puts a level to the severity of the OA to enable effectively treat the condition.

Q.3 - Try to practice at least 4 exercises that you have learned from the lesson. Share images, gifs or videos while practising.

• As a warm up exercise engage on Heel Slides as this is perfect in activating the knees muscles. In this you slow flex the knee and then extend pulling the heel to the ground. This movement enhance the flexibility and the flexibility of the knee cap.