Knee complaints and solutions for the senior age group

author Dr. Bejek Zoltán | 2020 .07.08.

What can I do if I have advanced cartilage degeneration of the knee joint?

In the case of advanced cartilage degeneration in the knee joint, a prosthesis implantation may be a solution. A special knee prosthesis is performed through surgical intervention to be implanted into the knee joint to replace the cartilage that has worn out. After the operation, there may be a rehabilitation period of a few months, but with specialist care and regular physiotherapy, the knee can return to pain-free movement and quality of life can return to normal.

Joint inflammation is the most common cause of knee pain

Joint inflammation is another common cause of knee pain in older people . Inflammation is often associated with swelling, reddening of the skin and severe pain. The cause is determined by a specialist after a thorough examination and appropriate therapy is recommended. The development of joint inflammation is influenced by a number of lifestyle factors, which you should pay attention to. One of the most important of these factors is excess weight. In many cases, the symptoms of knee joint inflammation are relieved by weight loss alone. It is also worth paying attention to exercise: neither a sedentary lifestyle nor excessive activity is good for the joints. For the elderly, instead of kneeling, running, jumping or lifting weights, other forms of joint-friendly exercise such as cycling, walking or physiotherapy are recommended. Other predisposing factors include smoking, insufficient fluid intake and previous knee injuries.

The consequence of neglected cartilage degeneration

Neglected cartilage degeneration or joint inflammation can also result in other lesions in the knee joint, such as Baker's cyst. In this case, synovial fluid is overproduced and accumulates in the knee joint, forming a cyst. In addition to the symptoms of the underlying cause, there is increased pressure in the knee and, as the cyst grows, the knee may become less flexible and may even press on the surrounding blood vessels. To treat it, it is necessary to diagnose the exact cause of its appearance, and if the primary lesion is treated, the Baker's cyst is likely to regress. If the cyst is large and stubborn, synovial fluid aspiration (puncture) or surgical removal of the cyst may be an option. In such cases , however, treatment of the underlying condition should not be neglected, as the cyst may return if the underlying cause persists.

In the case of knee pain at a senior age, it is not worth waiting for time to heal! You can turn to our knee specialist orthopaedic surgeons, who will use their knowledge and experience to recommend the best solution for every patient to get rid of pain.