Most of us will have X-ray results of osteoarthritis by age 65. It is a disease in which the cartilage coving the bones’ ends at the joints breaks down, resulting in bony overgrowth. The condition is painful and inflammatory and can lead to limited mobility.

Osteoarthritis (OA) cannot entirely be prevented. However, you can reduce the daily strain on your joints which may decrease the chances of OA occurring or getting worse.

Prevention of osteoarthritis:

Get a balanced diet: 

Even though no particular diet has been proven effective in preventing osteoarthritis, some nutrients decrease the disease’s risk or severity. They consist of

Omega-3.fatty acids:

 While unhealthy fats might aggravate joint inflammation, these healthy fats reduce it. Arthritis may potentially be treated with omega-3s. Patients who take omega-3 supplements report having less joint pain and stronger grips.

These oils are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

• Fish oil 
• Walnut oil
• Canola oil
• Soybean oil
• Flaxseed/linseed oil
• Olive oil

Vitamin D:

Studies show that Vitamin D plays a role in reducing knee pain associated with osteoarthritis. Additionally, it reduces inflammation and helps to regulate the immune system, which makes the body more resistant to illness and disease, including arthritis.

Maintain blood sugar levels:

Diabetes may be a serious risk factor for developing osteoarthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Diabetes can also cause inflammation, which causes cartilage degradation, and high glucose levels can speed up the synthesis of molecules that stiffen cartilage. 

Keeping your glucose levels under control and managing your diabetes will prevent you from developing OA. Check your blood sugar levels frequently if you have diabetes. Discuss the management plan with your healthcare professional if your levels are too high.

Main healthy weight and stay active:

Your joints are strained if you are overweight. The most vulnerable areas are your hips, knees, ankles, and feet. Additionally, extra fat in the body causes damage to the cartilage.

Joint health can be improved by low-impact exercise. Look for exercises that combine aerobic activity with stretching and strength training. OA can be slowed down or possibly prevented with regular exercise.

Protect your joints from injury:

If you suffer a joint injury when you are young, there is an increased chance of developing osteoarthritis in the same joint as you age:

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, you should take the following steps during exercise or sports:

• Try not to bend your knees past 90 degrees when doing half knee bends.
• Keep your feet as flat as possible to prevent knee twisting during stretches.
• Jump and land with your knees bent.
• Do warm-up exercises before playing sports.
• After a vigorous sport, take some rest.
• Put on comfortable shoes with stability and shock absorption.
• Run on the softest surface you can find; stay away from running on concrete and asphalt.

Effective treatment for knee OA:

You cannot reverse the damage done to bones and joints. However, treatment options are available to reduce the pain and improve movement.

Medications:

Acetaminophen:  Although Acetaminophine provides pain relief in OA, its effects are mostly placebo and thus not clinically significant.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines) reduce painful inflammation and joint damage.

Diclofenac at a maximum dose of 150 mg/day proves to be the most effective osteoarthritis nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for relieving pain and impaired mobility caused by the disease.

Therapy:

Physiotherapy:         

A physiotherapist can show exercises to you to improve your flexibility, relieve pain, and strengthen the muscles around your joint. Regular, mild activity on your own, such as walking or swimming, can be equally beneficial.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS):

Using low voltage electric current transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been proven to decrease knee osteoarthritis pain, enhance function and quality of life and delay surgical intervention.

Surgical and other procedures:

• Cortisone injections

For a few weeks, corticosteroid injections into your joint may relieve pain.

• Lubrication injections

Hyaluronic acid injections may help with pain relief by cushioning your knee.

• Realigning bones

An osteotomy may be helpful if osteoarthritis has more severely damaged one side of your knee than the other.

• Joint replacement

During joint replacement surgery, your doctor will remove the damaged surfaces of your joints and replace them with plastic and metal components.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP):

PRP is a treatment to reduce osteoarthritis pain. It treats injured tissues by using components from your blood. 

It is an efficient, minimally invasive treatment for knee osteoarthritis which:

• Promotes the growth of new cartilage
• Slows down the progression of osteoarthritis
• Stimulates the production of natural lubricating fluid in the joint to reduce joint friction
• Reduces pain sensation

Stem cells therapy:

Stem cell therapy is yet another excellent treatment for Knee osteoarthritis (KOA). This therapy has revolutionized the world of medicine. The body’s damaged or torn tissues are often repaired due to stem cells. By injecting stem cells into the joint cavity, KOA is treated.

Specialists can easily collect mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from fat or bone marrow. Depending on the tissue surrounding them, MSCs can develop into cartilage, bone, muscle, tendon, ligaments, or fat. 

Where to get PRP therapy in KL and Kepong?

Chye clinic provides PRP and stems cell therapy in KL and Kepong. It is one of Malaysia’s best clinics for stem cell therapy for knee OA.

The results for the treatment of the knee are excellent when Stem Cell Therapy and PRP are combined. Along with the functions of their own, they also enhance each other and speed up the healing process. 

Therapy of both knees in just RM350 for PRP or RM1200 for combined PRP and Stem cell injection. The actual price for this treatment is RM2500, but the clinic is offering it at a very reasonable price of RM1200 only.

THE PROCESS:

It is an in-office procedure involving a blood draw, PRP + Swiss stem cell preparation, and injection. The whole process takes about 30-35 mins. The process is a non-invasive technique in which you won’t experience much pain during the procedure.