Introduction:

If penned down in simplest possible language, Osteoarthritis is as simple as accelerated aging of an affected joint due either to chronic overburdening or distortion of its normal architecture owing to some trauma or instrumentation. You do not expect a truck full of bricks or sand to cruise through the ascent of a fly over unless you unload the truck or change the engine with a doubly powered one. Hence to keep an aging joint active, off loading of the joint is the primary intervention and replacement of the joint is the final one.

But why me?

If you have contracted the disease in spite of not being obese, diabetic or not having thyroid problems then you can blame it on your luck.

People who have a higher risk of getting the accelerated joint degeneration are usually [among the common causes]

1.Obese

2.Hypothyroid [Require Thyroxin supplementation]

3.Hyperthyroid

4.Diabetes

5.Family History

6.History trauma or instrumentation in the joint

Does it have a cure?

If you want your knees to behave the way you want, then replace them with a new one. The decision depends on the weight of your wallet as the charges for total knee replacement in the corporate hospitals range from 1,25,000 to 1,70,000 INR. Over last 50 years of intense research have failed to produce a single modality of medical [non surgical] treatment that can cure the disease.

What if I do not want a surgery? Is my knee doomed?

This is the most important question in my clinic. And the answer is NO. There are a series of treatment options which if followed can change the quality of your life. There are many diseases which have a single important treatment modality which is called the back bone of the therapeutic armamentarium. For Osteoarthritis it is Physical Therapy.

Physical Therapy or Physiotherapy is the mainstay therapy for knee osteoarthritis. Exercises that increase the muscle strength around the joint can significantly change the quality of life, reduce pain, increase activity and alleviate depression.

Targeted Shedding off excess weight and thereby off loading the joint can result in a feeling of complete cure if done under strict determination. Cycling, Swimming and even walking in a swimming pool in neck deep water can cause significant weight loss in a month. If you dip yourself neck deep in a swimming pool, by the effect of buoyancy you actually weigh less in the water and the knees do not feel the brunt of your weight during walking in the pool. This is new research revelation.

Before moving into the detail of medicines, I would like re-emphasise the role of Physical therapy and Joint Offloading in management of Osteoarthritis without which the medicines are complete waste of your money.

  • All medicines /Tablets used in Osteoarthritis are basically Symptom Modifying Drugs of Osteoarthritis [SYSDOA] and hence as the terminology suggests, the medicines do not contribute in reversal or arrest of disease progression.
  • Paracetamol is the mainstay drug for management of Osteoarthritis pain. Usually taken for managing fever, Paracetamol at a dose of 1000mg up to 4 times a day can cause excellent pain relief without causing any adverse effects provided you are not a heavy alcoholic and are not suffering from any serious liver problems. Being practically free from any side effects you can take paracetamol and forget about the ill effects on Stomach [Gastritis/Ulcers], Kidneys, Heart or brain caused by most of the classical pain killers
  • Tramadol is another centrally acting pain reliever which has got no classical side effects of Gastritis, Kidney or Cardiac problems unlike other analgesics. Nausea and vomiting are the two principal adverse effects of Tramadol. Often Tramadol and Paracetamol are combined together.
  • Keep your bones strong and ensure that calcium reserve is intact. So we often prescribe Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation so that the quality of bone is good. A daily requirement of 1200mg of elemental calcium and 800units of Vitamin D is mandatory.
  • Use of Neutraceuticals and Nutritional Supplements such as Chondroitin Sulfate, Glucosamine Sulfate and Diacerin are debated. Most of researches have failed to show better results than the above mentioned conventional treatment. One can give it a try but it is prudent to stop these medicines once no added improvement is noted after 3 months of therapy.
  • Intra-articular Viscosupplementaion injections have shown some benefit is alleviating pain and buying time for joint replacement surgery. They are costly, reimbursable by medical insurance and are given once or twice a year and can be administered on a day care basis
  • Intra-articular steroids are short term therapeutic option in an effort to control the pain but the effect often last no more than 4 to 6 weeks requiring another shot. To many Steroid shots are harmful and is not recommended
  • Use of knee braces has significantly changed the quality of life. Knee braces help in offloading of the affected joint causing significant improvement is symptoms. But it is often seen that due to better quality of life with Knee braces , patients tend to neglect physical therapy and ultimately they develop wasting or weakness of muscles around the joint. This particular issue should be kept in mind.
  • Use of a walking stick is commonly considered as a stigma of old age and it had been a tough task to convince my patients to use the same. Use of a walking stick by the hand opposite to affected knee can cause approximately 30% off loading of the affected joint. Hence, it is more of a therapy rather than stigmata. Use of this modality of treatment is strongly advocated.It is worth mentioning that all these therapeutic modalities work best when initiated early in the disease. I have seen patients with swollen joints and deformed or curved legs dropping in my clinic and these patients have advanced disease and hence are less likely to respond to the treatment.I hope this article helps you in better understanding of the disease and change your perception accordingly.
  • An attempt have been made to educate the readers and their care givers and if by remotest possible chances the reader gets more confused, then emails, criticism and suggestions are invited at drtanoybose@gmail.com

LET’S KNOW A BIT ABOUT THE DRUGS:

TRAMADOL

Tramadol is a narcotic-like pain reliever.Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain.The extended-release form of tramadol is for around-the-clock treatment of pain. You should not take tramadol if you have used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or narcotic medications within the past few hours.. Never take tramadol in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Do not crush, break, or open an extended-release pill. Swallow it whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose.Seizures (convulsions) have occurred in some people taking this medicine. Tramadol may be more likely to cause a seizure if you have a history of seizures or head injury, a metabolic disorder, or if you are taking certain medicines such as antidepressants, muscle relaxers, narcotic, or medicine for nausea and vomiting. Tramadol may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Never share the medicine with another person. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC PAIN MEDICATION CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.

Talk with your doctor about your seizure risk, which may be higher if you have:

• a history of head injury, epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• a history of drug or alcohol addiction;

• a metabolic disorder; or

• if you are also using certain medicines to treat migraine headaches, muscle spasms, depression, mental illness, or nausea and vomiting. Tramadol is more likely to cause breathing problems in older adults and people who are severely ill, malnourished, or otherwise debilitated, FDA pregnancy category C.

PARACETAMOL

What is paracetamol ?Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a pain reliever and a fever reducer. The exact mechanism of action of is not known.Paracetamol is used to treat many conditions such as headache, muscle aches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers. It relieves pain in mild arthritis but has no effect on the underlying inflammation and swelling of the joint.Important information An overdose of paracetamol can cause serious harm. The maximum amount of paracetamol for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Taking more paracetamol could cause damage to your liver. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, talk to your doctor before taking paracetamol and never use more than 2 grams (2000 mg) per day.Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may not be able to use paracetamol. Before using paracetamol, tell your doctor if you have liver disease or a history of alcoholism.Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Paracetamol is contained in many combination medicines. If you use certain products together you may accidentally use too much paracetamol .

CHONDROITIN

What is chondroitin? Chondroitin is a naturally occurring substance formed of sugar chains. Chondroitin is believed to help the body maintain fluid and flexibility in the joints.Chondroitin has been used in alternative medicine as an aid to relieving arthritis pain.Not all uses for chondroitin have been approved by the FDA. Chondroitin should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.Chondroitin is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Chondroitin side effects: Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all