Student name

United States University

FNP-591

Professor Name

Submission Date

74-Year-Old Female with Knee Pain

Ms. Gerta Roman, 74, in this case report, states that she has been experiencing right knee pain that has been progressing for over 2 weeks. She is suffering due to her failure to cultivate a favorite pleasure. The topical diclofenac and acetaminophen initial treatment provided moderate pain relief, which motivated further treatment.

Main Diagnosis

Right knee osteoarthritis

Right knee osteoarthritis is Ms. Roman’s main diagnosis.

Rationale

This judgment is supported by chronic pain, which is exacerbated by exercise, crepitus, limitation of movement, and a small amount of effusion, with no erythema or warmth (Geng et al., 2023). The demographics of Ms. Roman and her symptoms fit the prevalence of OA in older women (Geng et al., 2023).

Different Diagnoses

Rheumatoid Arthritis

RA was also taken into account as Ms. Roman reported that she occasionally had left knee pain, wrist pain, and morning stiffness. Nevertheless, negative tests of Lachman, McMurray, and joint swelling, and the absence of systemic symptoms (fever, fatigue) make the risk of RA less likely (Jahid et al., 2023).

Knee Sprain | Ligamentous Injury

Although Ms. Roman refuted the recent trauma, knee sprains may occur in small, unforeseen events. This is minimized by the lack of acute edema, stability on stress tests, and persistent symptoms (Evans et al., 2022).

Plan Diagnostics

Diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA) and bone deterioration involves the use of X-ray imaging. The typical X-ray results of osteoarthritis patients are the reduction of joint space, the occurrence of osteophytes, and subchondral sclerosis. Radiographic features are objective, which increases clinical evidence and determines the course of action (Claudia Lucia Piccolo et al., 2023).

X-rays are important to diagnose right knee osteoarthritis in Ms. Roman. This objective assessment will complement the outcomes of clinical examination and inform the treatment planning and management (Claudia Lucia Piccolo et al., 2023).

Plan of Treatment

Non-Pharmacological Treatment

• Some of the recommended mild exercises that are also recommended to enhance joint movements and the muscles that support the joint movements and reduce the OA symptoms would include water exercises and tai chi (Hu et al., 2020). Encourage healthy weight reduction in Ms. Roman since it will reduce mechanical load on the joints, which is the key to the treatment of OA.

Pharmacological Treatment

• Topical diclofenac is the preferred method in the local treatment of pain with low systemic exposure and minimal cardiovascular risks and gastrointestinal side effects (Seefried et al., 2020).
• Moreover, oral acetaminophen is also a pain reliever and is not believed to aggravate the GERD of Ms. Roman (Ohasi and Kohno, 2020).
• In the current case of the patient complaining, a prescription for an intra-articular injection of corticosteroid could be prescribed to the patient. This injection may help to give temporary relief and raise the activity level, as it mainly de-inflames the affected joint in the short term (Chavda et al., 2022).

Patient Education

• Arthritis Management Training: Literature describing the process of developing osteoarthritis and its symptoms, as well as an approach to managing it, will allow Ms. Roman to be actively involved in deciding how to be treated (Patten et al., 2022).

Conclusion

The case of Ms. Gerta Roman reveals that it is important that old chronic osteoarthritis patients should receive an individual treatment plan, including medications and non-pharmaceutical interventions. To improve the quality of life and functional dependency of Ms. Roman, healthcare professionals have to comprehend her pain and treat it with due considerations and consider her medical history and preferences. The most important aspects of her care are patient teaching and follow-up. Consequently, this multidimensional treatment of osteoarthritis involves best practices and personalization of treatment objectives.