Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knees

✍ Scribed by Joseph L. Hollander

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1960
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 211 KB
• Volume: 3
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0004-3591
• DOI: 10.1002/art.1780030611

✦ Synopsis

Uegenerative changes, of course, do slow the patient, and he should moderate his activity accordingly.

Since wear and tear and obesity are obvious factors in the causation of osteoarthritis, moderation of activity is necessary. Weight loss is recommended LO all carrying more than a normal amount of fat. This should not mean the utilization of "crash diet" programs, but rather the steady loss by reduction in diet over long periods of time. Anorexogenic drugs sometimes assist, but more often defeat the program since the patient depends on the drug and not his own temperance in eating. Since exercise is moderated also, the aCtention must be locussed on a low caloric intake.

When the examination has shown some static deformity of legs or feet, such as genu valgum, genu varum, tibia1 torsion, or pes planus, the treatment program should incorporate corrective measures immediately. Elastic knee cages, with or without side hinges, are often helpful. They should be used only with active, non-weight-bearing quadriceps exercises to preserve and