Kazumi Akimoto writes:
Ms. Kashiwagi may have some kind of arthritis, but it is not clear what kind of arthritis she has. Because her symptoms include both ones for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. For example, she is 42 years old and has difficulty moving only her left knee. These are the symptoms of osteoarthritis. But, her left knee gets swollen and red and she has been fatigued lately. Osteoarthritis doesn't cause inflammation (redness, warmth, and swelling) in the joint nor a general feeling of sickness like fatigue, weight loss, and fever. To make a diagnosis, more information is necessary. For example, if the swelling is caused by inflammation, she may have rheumatoid arthritis or another type of inflammatory arthritis. If the swelling is caused by growths of bone bone spurs), she probably has osteoarthritis. X rays can show if her bone is damaged by osteoarthritis. Tests of her blood or of fluid withdrawn from inside the affected joints may help rule out other diseases and determine the type of arthritis that is causing her symptoms.
Osteoarthritis cannot be cured, but it can be treated. Every treatment for arthritis is to reduce pain and stiffness, allow for greater movement, and slow the progression of the disease. If she has osteoarthritis , she ought to lose weight and do regular exercise as a first treatment. Losing weight can help relieve the pressure and strain on her joints, reducing the wear and tear that can cause damage to the tissues inside the joint. It can also help reduce the pain and stiffness in her knee. Regular exercise is known to be very effective for relieving the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis and may help slow the progression of the disease. Exercise also helps her reach or maintain a healthy weight. I will recommend that she do stretching exercises and swimming. Stretching exercises are good for helping to reduce stiffness in her knee and improve its flexibility. Swimming is especially good for her because the water supports her weight, which reduces stress on her knee. If weight loss and exercise are not effective in relieving her symptoms, I will have to recommend medication to her as a second treatment. Arthritis medications generally are used to reduce pain and tenderness in the joints and can cause side effects in other parts of the body. Surgery is recommended only for severe, disabling arthritis for which other treatments have failed. Since Ms. Kashiwagi will not undergo ACL surgery under any circumstances,I would not recommend surgery to her.
Most people with osteoarthritis live full, active lives by managing their disease. I will give her the following suggestions for Ms. Kashiwagi's long-term improvement. She might need to change her lifestyle to protect her left knee.I will advise her not to kneel because it puts too much stress on her knee and to wear well-cushioned athletic shoes with good support whenever she can. Second, I will encourage her not to be afraid to ask for help whenever she needs it. Her family members and friends can play a critical role in helping her learn to live with arthritis. Third, I will recommend that she should learn about osteoarthritis and its effects and treatment such as how to manage her pain, control her weight, and use exercise most effectively. It may also be a good way to join a support group of other people who have arthritis. In a support group, people learn from each other by sharing their experiences and insights. I think the more she knows about her illness, the more control she will have over it and the more successful her treatment is likely to be. And the most important advice for her is to be optimistic. One of the most powerful weapons against arthritis is a positive attitude I think.Å@Having an optimistic outlook can increase her ability to control her symptoms and greatly improve the quality of her life. To improve her outlook,Å@I advise her to relieve negative feelings with positive activities such as exercising and to share her feelings, fears, and concerns with her doctor, family members, and friends and then to understand that some things are beyond our control; focus on what she can do and what she can change.
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