What is osteoarthritis of the knee?

Osteoarthritis of the knee develops when the cartilage of the knee degenerates over time, causing the bones to collide painfully. As a result, the texture of the knee’s surface changes, causing the cartilage to erode.

What causes knee pain?

Knee pain is a persistent throbbing pain that radiates in or around the knee. The knee is a prominent joint that is susceptible to injury due to weight-bearing activities, overuse or the natural ageing process.

Knee pain can arise as a result of the following:

• Sprained knee ligaments/muscles arise due to a sudden blow or twist of the knee.


• A torn meniscus is a tear that develops in the knee’s connective tissue pad that helps stabilise the joint.


• Tendonitis is inflammation within the tendons that occurs due to high-intensity sports, which results in tendon overuse.


• Osteoarthritis of the knee is a prevalent type of arthritis that has an enormous impact on the knee, causing knee pain.

How do you conservatively treat osteoarthritis of the knee, knee pain and other related knee injuries?

The following non-surgical treatments exist for osteoarthritis of the knee, knee pain and other related knee injuries:

• Cortisone/intra-articular injections: Hydrocortisone injections are administered directly to the arthritic, painful or swollen knee joint. Cortisone shots are delivered to reduce pain and inflammation of the knee.


• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications are taken to relieve knee pain and swelling in the joint as a result of a degenerative disease or a knee injury.


• Platelet-rich plasma injections: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections entail using concentrated platelets to rejuvenate damaged ligaments and tendons. Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a form of medicine that utilises the body's natural growth factors to heal damaged tissue. Platelets (thrombocytes) are types of blood cells that allow the blood to clot and carry out other growth-healing functions.


• Rehabilitation of the knee: Knee rehabilitation involves prescribing knee exercises or following a precise exercise program to help rehabilitate and strengthen the knee muscles.