Top Arthritis Doctor
The knee is the largest joint in the human body, as well as one of the most complex. It is responsible for transferring weight and facilitating movement with each step a person takes. Knee arthritis can cause significant pain and mobility issues, but the majority of cases can be effectively managed with treatments designed to control the symptoms and progression of the condition. In some cases, surgical treatment may be required.
Types of Knee Arthritis
Arthritis refers simply to inflammation of a joint. Some of the most common types of arthritis are:
- Rheumatoid arthritis – A progressive autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue in the joints. Symptoms usually occur symmetrically on both sides of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis has the potential to cause severe disability.
- Osteoarthritis – A degenerative condition in which the cartilage that lines the bones, and sometimes the bones themselves, break down. The synovial fluid may also decrease.
- Post-traumatic arthritis – A condition in which trauma, such as a fall, causes damage to the knee, leading to inflammation.
Conservative Treatment
Conservative treatments are aimed at managing symptoms without opening up the knee. Some non-surgical and minimally invasive methods include:
- Oral medication, which can relieve symptoms and reduce inflammation
- Physical therapy, which strengthens the muscles that support the knee and improves knee flexibility
- Occupational therapy, to regain the ability to perform activities like cooking or using the phone
- Lifestyle changes, such as sleeping on one’s back on a hard mattress for rheumatoid arthritis patients
- Steroid injections, which reduce inflammation
- Synvisc injections, which supplement synovial fluid
Knee Replacement
Sometimes, the knee sustains such severe damage that it is no longer possible to control symptoms or prevent the progression of bone and cartilage damage. In such cases, the doctor may recommend a knee replacement. During this procedure, the damaged cartilage and bone are removed and replaced with a prosthetic.
Knee replacement is a major surgery, and the benefits and risks should be carefully considered before the procedure is chosen. Patients face a lengthy recovery time and a risk of side effects, both of which should be fully understood. The doctor will walk the patient through the treatment options.
Top Fountain Valley Doctor for Arthritis
The quality of the doctor for arthritis is closely related to the outcomes from treatment. Dr. Marans is a board certified orthopedist who has spent more than two decades treating patients with knee arthritis. Dr. Marans’s patients appreciate his clinical judgment, diagnostic skill, and the care he takes in exploring treatment options with each patient. These factors, combined with the precision with which he performs the chosen treatments, make Dr. Marans the best doctor for arthritis in the area.
Dr. Marans would be happy to meet with you about your knee arthritis. To schedule a consultation today, please call OC Orthopedic at 714.979.8981 or click below and enter your information and we will get right back to you.