On a sunny morning, 60-year-old Aunt Li, a retired teacher, walked into her well-tended garden, as usual. Gardening, for her, is not only a hobby, but also a part of her retirement life. But in recent months, Aunt Li has begun to feel an unusual discomfort — her knees have begun to ache. At first, she thought it was just a normal joint pain that might be a normal reaction after gardening work, so she didn't pay much attention to it.
However, over time, the pain gradually intensified and even began to affect even the simplest activities of her daily life, such as walking and descending stairs. Aunt Lee's family noticed the change and they advised her to see a doctor. After some tests and X-rays, the doctor gave a diagnosis: knee osteoarthritis. This news made Aunt Li both surprised and a little worried.
The doctor explained the basic condition of knee osteoarthritis and proposed two treatment options: conservative treatment and surgical treatment. Conservative treatment includes medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications, while surgical treatment may require more complex interventions, such as joint replacement surgery. Aunt Li listened to the doctor's explanation, and her heart was full of doubts and uneasiness. She knew she needed to make a decision, but it wasn't easy.
Under the guidance of the doctor, Aunt Li began the journey of conservative treatment. At first, she was hopeful about the plan. Doctors advised her to start with physical therapy, which included a series of gentle stretching and strengthening exercises specifically designed for people with knee osteoarthritis. Every morning, Aunt Li would spend half an hour doing these exercises, hoping to relieve the pain and stiffness in her knees. In addition, she began taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation.
A few weeks have passed, and Aunt Li's symptoms have improved somewhat, but they have not met her expectations. She began to realize that this problem might not be solved in the short term. Despite some improvements, the pain in her knee still came back whenever she tried to walk longer distances or spend more time standing. This frustrated her, but she didn't give up and persevered.
In order to increase the effect of the treatment, Aunt Li also tried several other methods. She began to adjust her diet to include foods rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as deep-sea fish, ginger and green tea. She also tried hot and cold compresses, as well as massage and acupuncture. Each approach brought some level of relief, but it didn't fundamentally solve the problem.
In the process, Aunt Li began to gather information about knee osteoarthritis. She learned that, according to the National Health Statistics Report, about 20 per cent of adults suffer from this condition. She also learned that while conservative treatment is effective for many people, not everyone will experience significant improvement. This made her think about the possibility of surgical treatment.
She has read many stories on the internet about knee replacement surgery, a common treatment for severe knee osteoarthritis. Surgery can significantly reduce pain and improve joint function, but it also carries risks and requires a long recovery. Aunt Li wondered if this was a risk she was willing to take.
Aunt Li returned to the hospital with a series of questions. The doctor patiently listened to her description of her current condition and gave detailed answers to every question she asked. Doctors explain that knee replacement surgery does significantly improve joint function and reduce pain, but it is not suitable for all patients. Indications for surgery include severe joint injury and conditions where non-surgical treatment is refractory.
The doctor provided some data to support his view: according to studies, about 60% of patients with knee osteoarthritis were able to significantly reduce symptoms with appropriate conservative treatment, while for another 40%, surgery may be a better option. But each patient's situation is unique and needs to be decided based on their specific condition, age, lifestyle, and other health conditions.
After Aunt Li heard this, she felt that the fog in her heart began to slowly dissipate. She realized that the decision to decide whether or not to have surgery was not a simple black and white decision, but a multi-faceted consideration was required. The doctor advised her to do some additional tests to more accurately assess the condition of her knee and advised her to discuss it well with her family before making a decision.
After returning home, Aunt Li had an in-depth exchange with her family. Both her husband and daughter have expressed their full support for her decision. After much deliberation, considering her age, quality of life, and love for gardening, Aunt Li finally decided to undergo surgery.
The surgery is scheduled to take place in two months. During this time, Aunt Li followed the doctor's advice and carried out a series of preparations, including proper physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the knees, adjusting her diet to control her weight, and reducing the burden on her knees.
On the day of the operation, Aunt Li felt both nervous and expectant. The surgery went smoothly and the doctor told her that her knee condition was a good fit for replacement surgery. During the postoperative recovery, she underwent systematic rehabilitation training under the guidance of a professional rehabilitation therapist. Although there were some pains and challenges in the process, Aunt Li persevered.
A few months later, she went into her garden again. Although she couldn't do too intense activities, she could easily bend over and trim the flowers and plants without the biting pain she felt before. She knew it was a new beginning.