Preventing 'O-legs' from becoming arthritis [Weekend Health]

The bow-legged condition, commonly seen in Koreans accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle, known as 'O-legs (genu varum)', is a symptom where the legs curve inward, causing the joints to bend inward. The knee joint plays a role in bearing weight, and if there is an O-leg symptom, the weight is abnormally loaded on the knee.

According to Gangnam Nanuri Hospital on the 29th, O-legs do not stop at being bent but worsen over time, continuously causing cartilage damage and eventually leading to arthritis.

To treat arthritis caused by O-legs, one can first choose conservative treatment methods such as medication, injection, and exercise therapy. If symptoms do not improve despite conservative treatment, surgical treatment to suppress the progression of arthritis can be considered. When thinking of arthritis surgery, knee replacement surgery may come to mind, but this is not the only method. Arthritis is divided into stages 1 to 4. For patients in stages 2 to 3, a 'proximal tibial osteotomy' can be performed, which involves cutting the inside of the tibia (shinbone) and fixing it with a flat metal plate after cutting the upper part of the tibia. Depending on the degree of joint defect, stem cell surgery can also be performed simultaneously.

Yoo Jae-ha, head of the joint center at Gangnam Nanuri Hospital, explained, "Through proximal tibial osteotomy, the damage to the inside of the joint and the progression of arthritis can be slowed down, improving pain and knee joint function."

Proximal tibial osteotomy can be applied to relatively young and active patients with O-leg arthritis. It has the advantage of correcting bow legs while preserving the joint and alleviating arthritis symptoms, delaying the timing of knee replacement surgery. Additionally, it can be performed in conjunction with umbilical cord-derived stem cell therapy (Cartistem) to help regenerate cartilage.

Cartistem is a cartilage regeneration treatment that creates tiny holes in the damaged cartilage area and injects stem cells to regenerate the damaged cartilage. However, while such surgical treatment can slow down the worsening of arthritis and reduce pain, it is not a complete solution. Continuous management is essential even after surgery.

Director Yoo said, "If knee pain recurs and leg deformity is suspected, you should visit a hospital for an examination to receive an accurate diagnosis from a specialist and consider customized treatment," adding, "Prevention is paramount for all diseases, so I hope you focus on weight management and muscle strength management to prevent arthritis."

Seo Ji-yoon, Reporter