Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative joint disease that affects millions of people worldwide, particularly those who are over the age of 50. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Traditionally, knee replacement surgery has been the go-to treatment for severe osteoarthritis of the knee. However, advancements in modern medicine have given rise to new, non-surgical treatments that can help prevent the need for knee replacement surgery. Dr. Nirmalya Deb (MBBS/D.ORTHO/M.SC(ORTHO)/M.CH), a renowned Orthopaedic surgeon of Kolkata, mentioned briefly some modern treatments for osteoarthritis that can help prevent knee surgery.
Physiotherapy: This can help improve joint function, reduce pain, and prevent further damage to the knee. A physiotherapist can develop a personalized exercise program that can help strengthen the muscles around the knee joint, increase range of motion, and improve overall flexibility.
Weight Loss: Being overweight can put extra pressure on the knee joint, leading to increased wear and tear. Losing weight through diet and exercise can reduce the load on the knee joint, relieving pain and preventing further damage. Diet: A diet rich in Vitamin C, inclusion of dry fruits and cooked food with ginger and turmeric, is advisable.
Cooled radiofrequency ablation (CRFA): This is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of pain related to knee osteoarthritis.
Injections: Injections of hyaluronic acid can help lubricate the joint and reduce pain. Corticosteroid injections can also reduce inflammation and pain, but they are generally used sparingly due to potential side effects. Also, this should be injected at an early stage. Stem Cell Therapy: Stem cell therapy involves injecting stem cells into the knee joint to stimulate the growth of new cartilage and repair damaged tissue.
These modern treatments can help prevent knee replacement surgery for those suffering from osteoarthritis. However, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional to determine which treatment is best suited for each individual case. Additionally, early intervention and a healthy lifestyle can help prevent the development and progression of osteoarthritis.
Apart from this Dr. Nirmalya Deb also added, “We use a surgical procedure called Arthroscopic debridement to remove the broken cartilage and tissues, drill the damaged part and allow the marrow to flow out. This helps regenerate the tissues and cartilage. This procedure can also be used for realignment of bones and implants. It gives significant relief from inflammation and pain.”
He also mentioned, “Those who suffer from Osteoporosis should first take medications to improve their bone density. After the correction they can go for further treatments if required.”
Another suggestion of his was, “Walking is good for people suffering from knee osteoarthritis. It helps in joint fluid circulation and it flows to the cartilage which getsnourished. Walk under the sun, walk on grass, this has a good impact on the body.”

Our member Ms D. Sanyal was brought up in Bangladesh. To revive those memories, she revisited Bangladesh recently and described her journey to us.
We started for Petrapole-Benapole India Bangladesh border on 19th Feb’23 at 5.00 a.m. by bus from Kolkata. We crossed the border and went to Jashore by car. There we saw Michael Madhusudan Dutt’s house a well-known poet of Bengal from an affluent family. A surprising fact was his connection to Leander Paes the lawn tennis player from his daughter’s side. The place was wonderful with the river flowing by.
From Jashore to Dhaka it was a wonderful journey. I saw the home of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, the first President of Bangladesh, Dhanmondi 32 residence where he was assassinated. The spot where his blood drops had fallen has been preserved till date. No one is allowed to enter this house. Through the glass windows the inside of the house was clearly visible, even the kitchen where his wife used to cook.
We also visited the mausoleum of Kazi Nazrul Islam. From there we went to Ramkrishna Math and Mission which has a fantastic architecture and looked fabulous. Both Hindu and Muslim students study there. Being Sri Ramkrishna’s birthday, all students were wearing the traditional dhuti panjabi. Songs were being played dedicated to Sri Ramkrishna which apart from us even the Muslim ladies present there enjoyed.
Our next point, Cox Bazar was a beautiful place in Chittagong where we stayed for 2 days and visited the sea, the Chatteshwari temple and the European Club. We went to Moheshkhali, the biggest island there. I saw the Adinath Temple from far as it was impossible for me to climb 300 steps. The Buddha monastery is a fantastic tourist attraction, which is big and beautiful. A new temple is also being built out of marble there. It seemed to be a Hindu dominated area with the existence of the Ramkrishna plot, Ramthakur plot andIskon temple.
From there we went ahead to Khulna and Ranga Mati. Ranga Mati is situated in the Chittagong hills near Karnaphuli river. They have created an artificial lake to build the Kaptai Dam for Hydro-electric power, which we explored on a speed boat for nearly 2 to 2 ½ hours. We had to take permit due to the existence of the Chakma tribe, an ethnic group, who are Buddhists. The Sunderbans extends to the Khulna area of Bangladesh.
From there we went to Sitakunda which is famous for the Chandranath Temple and Hindus temple. There is a hot water spring too. We next visited the Rabindranath Thakur’s residence-Shilaidaha Kuthibari, the structural elegance of which was worth seeing.
Fakir Lalon Shah’s Mazaar, is yet another beautiful structure and the last spot we visited. We enjoyed his songs there. The Mazaar was made of white marble. I found people there very hospitable and caring. The roadways are fantastic, broad and smooth. Places are absolutely clean and well maintained. It was an emotional visit for me.