Knee osteoarthritis: a review of management options

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Rheumatology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Osteoarthritis of the knee is a prevalent, complex peripheral joint disorder with numerous risk factors.
• While the molecular basis is understood, the precise pathogenesis of knee osteoarthritis remains elusive.
• Effective management necessitates a detailed patient history, physical examination, and radiological assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline a stepwise, algorithmic approach for managing knee osteoarthritis.
• To detail non-surgical and surgical treatment modalities available for knee osteoarthritis.
• To highlight critical factors for successful long-term outcomes in knee osteoarthritis management.

Main Methods:

• Review of current diagnostic and treatment strategies for knee osteoarthritis.
• Categorization of treatments into non-surgical (patient education, lifestyle modification, orthotics) and surgical options.
• Discussion of joint-sparing procedures (arthroscopy, osteotomy) and joint-replacing procedures (patellofemoral, unicompartmental, total knee arthroplasty).

Main Results:

• Non-surgical treatments can be implemented in community settings.
• Surgical interventions offer joint preservation or replacement, targeting specific compartments or the entire joint.
• Successful long-term outcomes are contingent upon optimal patient selection, preoperative counseling, and surgical technique.

Conclusions:

• Knee osteoarthritis management requires a multifaceted approach, integrating conservative measures with surgical interventions when necessary.
• The choice of treatment, particularly surgical procedures like total knee arthroplasty, should be tailored to individual patient needs.
• Meticulous patient selection and preoperative preparation are paramount for achieving favorable long-term results in knee osteoarthritis surgery.