Insights from The Orlando Senior Help Desk: What to know about knees

Knee pain can be debilitating, but there are various treatment options available to provide relief. Here’s a breakdown of some common methods:

1. Corticosteroid Shots: Administered up to four times a year, these shots combine a steroid (Cortisone) with a numbing agent. These injections offer fast, temporary relief during flare-ups by reducing inflammation. While generally safe and effective, overuse can lead to knee cartilage deterioration. Individuals with diabetes or metabolic conditions should be cautious as these shots may increase blood sugar levels.

2. Hyaluronic Acid Injections: Hyaluronic acid, a natural lubricant, mimics the fluid found in healthy knee joints. Typically administered weekly for 3 to 5 weeks, these injections help alleviate pain by cushioning the space around the knee joint, reducing friction between bones, and minimizing discomfort.

3. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections: PRP injections involve extracting blood, separating out the platelet-rich plasma through centrifugation, and injecting it into the knee joint. While ongoing research suggests effectiveness, conclusive evidence is still being established.

4. Stem Cell Therapy: This entails extracting stem cells from bone marrow or fat and injecting them into an arthritic knee to promote tissue regeneration. However, lab tests indicate that only a few stem cells survive in the joint post-injection, raising questions about its overall effectiveness.

In addition to these treatments, it’s essential to address the unique challenges faced by seniors transitioning to elder-care communities, particularly those of Jewish heritage. Jewish Pavilion Senior Services, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, offers vital support by providing resources, room visits, and festive holiday celebrations to 450 Jewish residents across 50 senior facilities. The commitment to inclusion extends to seniors of all faiths ensuring that cultural ties remain strong even in challenging times. Learn more at JewishPavilion.org.

For further assistance and guidance on elder-care issues, individuals can reach out to the Orlando Senior Help Desk, another resource of Jewish Pavilion Senior Services. By offering advice and alleviating caregiver stress, the Help Desk plays a crucial role in supporting seniors and their families through the complexities of aging. To reach the Orlando Senior Help Desk, call 407-678-9363 or visit OrlandoSeniorHelpDesk.org.