Knee arthritis is a degenerative condition characterized by inflammation and damage to the knee’s cartilage. Cartilage serves as a cushion between bones, allowing smooth movement. However, in arthritis, this cartilage wears away, leading to pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility. Osteoarthritis, the most common type of knee arthritis, typically develops with age or overuse. We diagnose the root cause and offer personalized treatments, ranging from NSAIDs and orthobiologics to surgical options like robotic knee replacement.
Knee Arthritis
San Antonio
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What Is Knee Arthritis?
Meet Dr. Eildar Abyar
Dr. Eildar Abyar is our orthopedic surgeon and regenerative medicine expert. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Abyar specializes in orthopedic solutions such as joint regeneration, cartilage transplantation, and ortho-biologic therapies. His holistic approach focuses on reducing pain, increasing motion, and enhancing patients’ overall well-being. He offers a comprehensive suite of surgical solutions.
Symptoms of Knee Arthritis:
- Persistent knee pain, especially during movement or weight-bearing activities
- Stiffness in the knee joint, particularly after periods of inactivity
- Swelling or tenderness around the knee area
- Limited range of motion, making it difficult to fully bend or straighten the knee
- Grinding or popping sensations (crepitus) when moving the knee
- Weakness in the knee muscles, leading to instability or difficulty supporting body weight
- Decreased mobility and difficulty walking, climbing stairs, or getting up from a seated position
Your Conservative Treatment Options
RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation)
RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. It is a common method used to treat various injuries, including knee arthritis flare-ups. Resting the affected knee helps reduce further stress and inflammation; applying ice constricts blood vessels, reducing swelling and numbing the area to alleviate pain; compression with a bandage or brace provides support and minimizes swelling; and elevating the knee above the heart aids in reducing swelling by promoting fluid drainage.
Viscosupplementation
Viscosupplementation involves injecting a gel-like substance called hyaluronic acid into the knee joint. Hyaluronic acid acts as a lubricant and shock absorber within the joint, helping to restore the natural viscosity and elasticity of the synovial fluid. This procedure aims to reduce pain, improve joint mobility, and provide cushioning for the knee. Viscosupplementation can alleviate symptoms of knee arthritis by enhancing the joint’s lubricating properties. Common brands include Euflexxa, Synvisc, Orthovisc, Hyalgan, and Supartz.
Physical Therapy & Exercise
Physical therapy is crucial in managing knee arthritis by utilizing various exercises to improve mobility and strength. Range of motion exercises, such as quadriceps strengthening and hamstring exercises, help maintain flexibility and reduce stiffness in the knee joint. Quadriceps strengthening exercises target the muscles around the knee to provide better support and stability. Additionally, hamstring stretching exercises promote flexibility and relieve tension in the back of the thigh, easing knee discomfort.
Corticosteroid Knee Injections
Corticosteroid knee injections are a common treatment for knee arthritis flare-ups. These injections deliver powerful anti-inflammatory medication to the knee joint. Corticosteroids work by reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and improving mobility. Typically, a local anesthetic is administered alongside the corticosteroid to provide immediate pain relief. While corticosteroid injections can provide significant short-term relief, they are not a long-term solution.
NSAIDs & Activity Modification
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and activity modification are key components in managing knee arthritis. NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen help reduce pain and inflammation by blocking enzymes that cause these symptoms. Activity modification involves adjusting daily activities to minimize stress on the knee joint, such as avoiding high-impact exercises or prolonged periods of standing. By combining NSAIDs for symptom relief and modifying activities to reduce strain, individuals with knee arthritis can better manage their condition.
Orthobiologics Knee Injections
Orthobiologics knee injections involve the use of biological substances derived from the patient’s own body or from other sources to promote healing and reduce inflammation in the knee joint. This includes platelet-rich plasma (PRP), Wharton’s jelly, exosomes, and umbilical cord-derived hyaluronic acid. PRP contains concentrated platelets that release growth factors, stimulating tissue repair. Wharton’s jelly, exosomes, and umbilical cord-derived hyaluronic acid offer alternative sources of orthobiologics to aid in tissue regeneration and reduce knee pain.
PRP Knee Injection
Regenerative Medicine
Your Surgical Treatment Options
5,000
Surgeries Performed by Dr. Abyar
Knee Arthroscopy with Chondroplasty
Knee arthroscopy with chondroplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure for treating knee arthritis. During the procedure, small incisions are made around the knee, allowing a tiny camera and surgical instruments to access the joint. Chondroplasty involves smoothing or reshaping damaged cartilage surfaces in the knee to alleviate pain and improve joint function. This procedure aims to reduce friction and discomfort caused by rough or uneven cartilage, promoting better knee mobility and comfort.
Cartilage Restoration
Cartilage restoration procedures aim to repair or regenerate damaged cartilage in the knee. Techniques such as microfracture, mosaicplasty, and autologous chondrocyte implantation involve creating small injuries to stimulate the body’s natural healing response or transplanting healthy cartilage cells to the damaged area. By promoting the growth of new cartilage or replacing damaged tissue, these procedures aim to improve joint function, reduce pain, and delay the need for more invasive treatments like joint replacement surgery.
Cartilage Transplant
Cartilage transplant, also known as osteochondral transplantation, involves the surgical transfer of healthy cartilage tissue from one part of the body to another or from a donor to the recipient’s knee joint. This procedure aims to repair focal cartilage defects caused by injury or arthritis. By transplanting healthy cartilage tissue, surgeons can restore smooth joint surfaces, alleviate pain, and improve knee function. Cartilage transplant is particularly beneficial for younger patients with localized cartilage damage.
Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery
Robotic knee replacement surgery, utilizing the MAKO Stryker protocol, uses precision surgical techniques to enhance outcomes for patients with knee arthritis. During the procedure, a robotic arm assists the surgeon in performing precise bone cuts and implant placement based on preoperative planning. This enables customized alignment and sizing of the knee implant, tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy. Robotic assistance enhances accuracy, potentially leading to improved implant longevity, quicker recovery, and better overall function.
Your Personalized Consultation
Cutella Medical Spa is your premier destination for personalized orthopedic care in San Antonio. Our medical clinic is led by Dr. Eildar Abyar, a distinguished orthopedic surgeon with expertise in sports medicine, foot and ankle surgeries, and more. During your consultation, Dr. Abyar will provide individualized treatment recommendations tailored to your needs and goals. We always prioritize non-surgical and conservative treatments and only offer cutting-edge knee surgeries if necessary. Please schedule your consultation with Dr. Abyar today.
