Knee Osteoarthritis Relief in Beverley and Driffield
We frequently address various forms of knee pain at Beverley and Driffield Chiropractic Clinics, with knee osteoarthritis being one of the most common conditions we see. Manual therapy combined with tailored exercise programs has proven effective in managing the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (for more details, explore the research linked below).
Many of our patients come to us while waiting for knee replacement surgery, while others are seeking alternatives or aren’t ready to pursue surgical options. While we can’t cure osteoarthritis, we provide gentle and effective treatments designed to help reduce pain and improve mobility.
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) occurs when the articular cartilage in the knee joint begins to break down. This often leads to a gradual onset of pain and restricted movement in one or both knees. We’re here to support you on your path to improved comfort and mobility.
Common Signs and Symptoms
- Pain is often felt on the inner part of the knee first
- Gradual onset of pain, seemingly without an apparent cause
- Pain is often described as a deep ache or gnawing sensation
- Symptoms tend to worsen after periods of rest but improve with gentle movement
- Pain is aggravated by high-impact or high-mileage activities
- Morning stiffness that improves as you start moving around
- Limping or an antalgic gait caused by pain, often accompanied by a tendency to lean away from the affected side
Do I Need an X-ray?
The chiropractor often strongly suspects the presence of knee OA even before diagnostic imaging. After a thorough case history and examination, the chiropractor may feel that your symptoms indicate knee OA. This can only be fully determined by diagnostic imaging. Should the chiropractor feel that medical imaging is warranted, they can make a referral for this with your permission.
Treatment Options
There are many options for addressing osteoarthritis, but here are some of the most common:
Chiropractic: While we cannot cure osteoarthritis, chiropractic treatment can help to relieve discomfort and improve movement and function of the knee joint. We use a combination of gentle joint mobilisations and soft tissue techniques to improve symptoms.
Due to the nature of the underlying problem, a course of treatment is usually recommended and this will be outlined during your initial consultation. Your chiropractor can also recommend exercises for home management.
Exercise: This is particularly effective in combination with chiropractic treatment. Strengthening the quadriceps muscles (thigh muscles) is key. Your chiropractor can advise you about what types of exercise may be the most beneficial for you.
Weight loss and education: In patients with knee OA, a weight reduction of 10% improved function by 28%! Read more about weight loss and knee OA here.
Joint replacement: This type of surgery may be considered in cases of severe pain and significantly reduced mobility. As with all surgery, joint replacement is often considered a last resort. We see a lot of patients while they are awaiting surgery to help them manage pain.
Pain medication: This is something to speak to your doctor about. Often, people find relief from over-the-counter pain medication, but the effects are typically short-lived, and as with any medication, it can come with unpleasant side effects.
Here are some research studies we’ve highlighted for your reference:
Brantingham JW, Globe G, Pollard H, Hicks M, Korporaal C, Hoskins W. Manipulative therapy for lower extremity conditions: expansion of literature review. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2009 Jan;32(1):53-71. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.09.013. PMID: 19121464.
Bronfort, G., Haas, M., Evans, R. et al. Effectiveness of manual therapies: the UK evidence report .Chiropr Man Therap 18, 3 (2010).https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-1340-18-3
NICE (2022). Recommendations | Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management | Guidance | NICE. [online] www.nice.org.uk. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng226/chapter/Recommendations#non-pharmacological-management.
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Take the first step towards relieving your osteoarthritis. Schedule an appointment with one of our chiropractors today.
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