Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage in joints is damaged or worn down, leading to stiffness, pain, and reduced mobility, particularly in the knee. Common symptoms include intermittent knee pain, especially after walking, descending stairs, or carrying heavy objects, along with swelling and warmth. Chronic sufferers may experience joint stiffness and deformities.
Causes
Over time, joint fluid secretion decreases, causing wear on the knee joint and cartilage thinning. Factors like weak muscles, obesity, poor posture, and inactivity exacerbate the condition. Damaged cartilage cells attempt to repair themselves, releasing inflammatory factors that cause further damage, leading to degenerative changes in the joint.
Treatment Methods
For early-stage patients, surgery is premature, but recurring pain significantly impacts daily life. Most early-stage patients prefer not to "silently wait for deterioration" and are concerned about taking action to alleviate cartilage degeneration.
When experiencing knee pain, resting is crucial. Depending on the situation, ice, heat, or knee braces can help reduce strain. If lifestyle changes or medication don’t relieve pain, further treatment may be necessary.
APS Autologous Protein Anti-Inflammatory Factor Injection (for early degenerative arthritis)
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APS is an innovative autologous therapy that extracts the patient's blood to create an anti-inflammatory solution. It is the first targeted treatment for early to mid-stage degenerative arthritis, blocking inflammatory factors to reduce pain and slow cartilage degeneration without causing rejection—representing a significant breakthrough in medicine.
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Technology and Principles
APS addresses knee osteoarthritis by correcting the imbalance of inflammatory ("bad") and anti-inflammatory ("good") cytokines. By extracting 60cc of the patient’s blood and concentrating it into 2-3cc of an anti-inflammatory solution, APS injects "good" proteins directly into the knee joint. This blocks "bad" proteins, reducing pain and slowing cartilage degeneration, while also promoting cartilage repair through synthetic growth factors.
Benefits
- Reduces pain from degenerative knee osteoarthritis.
- Slows cartilage degeneration.
- Stimulates cartilage cell growth and prevents destruction.
- Significantly improves knee flexibility.
- Clinical studies show a 70% improvement in knee pain two years after a single APS injection.
Prevention and Care
Prevention and Care
While degenerated joints cannot be restored, proper care can reduce pain and prevent further issues. Key strategies include:
- Reducing knee joint load; overweight individuals should lose weight.
- Avoiding heavy lifting; use a cart if needed.
- Minimizing prolonged standing or walking; consider using a cane.
- Changing positions frequently to avoid stiffness.
- Balancing work and rest, and monitoring joint pain.
- Strengthening thigh muscles and exercising the knee; consult a healthcare professional for guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can APS cure osteoarthritis?
A: No, but APS can alleviate pain and improve mobility.
Q: What are the benefits of APS?
A: It reduces pain and stiffness and restores mobility and flexibility.
Q: Who is suitable for APS?
A: Patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis.
Q: Are there side effects?
A: Possible side effects from the injection process, but not from the treatment itself.
Q: How long do the effects last?
A: Pain relief lasts 12-24 months, with benefits possibly persisting up to two years.
Q: When does the injection take effect?
A: Effects typically begin 1-2 weeks post-injection.
Q: What should I do after the injection?
A: Minimize activity for 14 days, staying below pre-injection levels.
Q: How long does the injection process take?
A: About one hour, with possible slight knee tightness afterward.
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