Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common chronic joint disease. It is mostly seen in middle-aged and elderly individuals, but factors such as obesity and sports injuries have led to an increase among younger people. The goals of treatment for KOA are to relieve pain, improve joint function, and slow disease progression. Current treatment methods include non-pharmacological therapy, medication, and surgery, with individualized plans developed according to disease severity.

Emerging Treatment Methods

Stem Cell Therapy — Joint Reconstruction

Joint reconstruction centered on stem cell therapy is the most promising treatment for knee osteoarthritis after traditional surgical methods. Using the strong regenerative ability of stem cells combined with PRP (platelet-rich plasma) growth factors, targeted treatment of the joint can effectively promote regeneration and repair. Advantages of joint reconstruction include:

① Promotes joint tissue and vascular regeneration.

② Improves the local joint microenvironment and reduces local inflammatory response.

③ Minimally invasive treatment, reducing surgical risks.

④ Autologous stem cells and PRP cause no immune rejection, with low risk of infection.

Conventional Treatment Methods

1. Non-pharmacological therapy

Non-pharmacological therapy is the foundation of KOA management, suitable for all patients, and especially effective in controlling symptoms in the early stage.

Lifestyle modifications

① Weight management: Obesity increases knee joint load. Each 1 kg of weight loss reduces knee pressure by 4 kg, helping relieve pain and slow disease progression.

② Avoid overloading: Reduce prolonged standing, squatting, stair climbing, and other high-load activities to minimize joint wear.

③ Use of supportive devices: Wearing knee braces, orthopedic insoles, or using walking aids can reduce pain and improve stability.

2. Exercise therapy

Appropriate exercise enhances joint stability and prevents muscle atrophy. Common exercises include:

① Low-impact exercise (such as swimming, cycling, Tai Chi): Avoids excessive joint loading while strengthening muscles.

② Quadriceps training: Such as straight leg raises, which help improve knee joint stability.

③ Joint mobility exercises: Such as knee flexion and extension to improve flexibility.

3. Physical therapy

① Electrical stimulation therapy: Low-frequency stimulation or laser therapy can relieve pain and promote tissue repair.

② Acupuncture and massage: Some studies suggest that traditional Chinese acupuncture can alleviate KOA pain to some extent.

4. Medication

When non-pharmacological therapy cannot effectively control symptoms, medication may be used to relieve pain and control inflammation.

① Oral medications

● Acetaminophen: Suitable for mild to moderate pain, with fewer side effects, considered first-line analgesic.

● Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Such as ibuprofen and celecoxib, effectively relieve inflammation and pain, though long-term use may increase gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks.

● Weak opioids (such as tramadol): Suitable for patients with severe pain, but require cautious use to avoid dependence.

② Topical medications

● Topical NSAID gels: Such as diclofenac gel, effective for localized pain with fewer side effects.

● Capsaicin patches: Alleviate symptoms by reducing pain signal transmission but may cause skin irritation.

③ Intra-articular injections

● Sodium hyaluronate injections: Lubricate the joint and improve mobility, though effectiveness varies among individuals.

● Corticosteroid injections: Relieve acute inflammation and severe pain but long-term use may accelerate cartilage degeneration.

● Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections: Aid cartilage repair but are not yet widely adopted.

5. Surgical treatment

When medication and rehabilitation cannot relieve symptoms and daily life is affected, surgical intervention may be considered.

① Arthroscopic surgery

Suitable for early to mid-stage patients, to clear cartilage debris and repair meniscus or synovium, though less effective in advanced cases.

② Osteotomy

Suitable for younger patients, to adjust knee joint loading, reduce local pressure, and delay disease progression.

③ Total knee arthroplasty (TKA)

● Suitable for patients with severe KOA, completely relieving pain and restoring joint function.

● Total knee replacement for severe cartilage damage; unicompartmental replacement for localized damage.

Conclusion

Treatment for KOA should be individualized, combining medication, physical therapy, stem cell therapy, and other methods. Experts at United Life International Medical Center state that stem cell–based joint reconstruction provides comprehensive repair of damaged tissue for KOA patients, improving quality of life.