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Knee Arthritis

If you suffer from knee pain, it’s possible you have arthritis. Knee arthritis is caused by the deterioration of cartilage in the knee joint. The two most common types of knee arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a progressive, degenerative disease in which the cartilage of the knee slowly wears away. Cartilage serves as insulation between the bones of the joint, and when the cartilage of the knee joint wears away due to osteoarthritis, the resulting pain and inflammation can be debilitating. Your chances of osteoarthritis of the knee increase with age, the condition most often affects middle-aged and older people. Osteoarthritis may first appear between the ages of 30 and 40, though symptoms may not be present in the early stages. By the age of 70 almost everyone will have this type of knee arthritis.

Causes

The question of what causes osteoarthritis of the knee has not been answered. Prior knee injuries seem to increase the likelihood of osteoarthritis, but many people with knee arthritis have never had a serious knee injury. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and many people have a genetic predisposition to this chronic disease.

Symptoms

The primary symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain in the knee, swelling and stiffening of the knee joint. In the early stages of osteoarthritis the pain may be mainly associated with activity. As the cartilage wears away and the bones of the joint rub against each other, pain can become more severe and constant, interfering with regular daily activities and disrupting sleep.

Treatment

In the early stages of osteoarthritis, treatment may involve several techniques. Behavioral and lifestyle changes including losing weight and changing routines to avoid painful situations can be very effective in relieving pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen sodium may also provide relief from pain. Cox-2 inhibitors are also effective in providing knee arthritis pain relief. Physical therapy may improve muscle strength and joint mobility, reducing the symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee. Joint fluid replacement therapy with Hyaluronic Acid Gel may lubricate the knee and reduce the pain and swelling of the joint. Partial or total knee replacement surgery may be necessary as the disease progresses and daily functioning becomes more impaired..

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Unlike osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid knee arthritis involves inflammation of the lining of the joints, known as the synovium. Though less common than osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is among the most debilitating of the over one hundred forms of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis usually develops in middle age, but may occur in the 20s and 30s.

Causes

The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. It’s possible that a virus or bacteria may trigger the disease in people with a genetic predisposition to rheumatoid arthritis. Many doctors think rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the tissue of the joint’s lining is attacked by the body’s immune system. It’s also possible that rheumatoid arthritis is caused by severe stress. The disease sometimes occurs after a life-changing event such as divorce, loss of a job or a severe injury.

Symptoms

The primary symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include pain and swelling in the joints and difficulty moving. Other symptoms may include loss of appetite, fever, loss of energy, anemia, and rheumatoid nodules (lumps of tissue under the skin).

Treatment

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis usually involves medications such as NSAIDs, aspirin and analgesics. In severe cases, surgery may be indicated to replace the knee joint with an artificial joint. If you think you may have arthritis of the knee, contact your doctor for a complete evaluation and a discussion of the options available for treatment.

FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions

What are the symptoms of knee arthritis?

Arthritis is a medical condition that affects millions of patients around the world. It is an umbrella term for knee arthritis, which can occur in different forms. These different types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and reactive arthritis.

Osteoarthritis, caused by the degeneration of cartilage in the knee joint, and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition, are two of the most common forms of knee arthritis in India. Here are the symptoms for each type of arthritis:

Type of Knee Arthritis Symptoms
Osteoarthritis (OA) Pain, stiffness, swelling, decreased range of motion (worse with activity)
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) Pain, swelling, warmth, morning stiffness (multiple joints, symmetrical, can involve knees)
Psoriatic arthritis Pain, swelling, stiffness, redness (knees), skin/nail changes (consistent with psoriasis)
Gout Sudden severe pain, swelling, redness, tenderness (knee), triggered by certain foods/drinks
Pseudogout Sudden pain, swelling, redness, warmth (knee), caused by calcium crystals
Reactive arthritis Pain, swelling, warmth, redness (knee), follows infection elsewhere in body
How is knee arthritis diagnosed?

The specialists discuss the medical history of the patients, which includes any past injuries, existing conditions, and family history of arthritis. Symptoms experienced by the patient, such as pain, swelling, range of motion, joint stability, and creaking or grinding sounds, are discussed to assess the severity of the condition.

This discussion is followed by imaging studies, which are used to check for abnormalities like narrowing of the joint space and the possibility of bone spurs. In conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and reactive arthritis, other tests such as blood tests, uric acid levels (for gout), and white blood cell count (for reactive arthritis) are performed to accurately diagnose the knee arthritis condition.

What are the treatment options for knee arthritis?

The treatment for knee arthritis depends on the severity of the condition, as well as the overall goals of the patient. Treatment options include non-surgical and surgical approaches. Non-surgical treatment is always the first line of treatment and involves weight management, pain medications, physical therapy, and in some cases, injections.

In moderate cases, advanced injections like cortisone or hyaluronic acid injections may also be used to improve the condition. Only after all possible non-surgical options are leveraged and found to be ineffective in achieving the required level of pain relief is surgery recommended for knee arthritis cases.

Can knee arthritis be prevented?

Knee arthritis is one of the most common knee conditions, affecting millions of people worldwide. Its onset depends on many factors, including a history of injury, genetic predisposition, and the strength and muscle mass around the joint. As a result, while its onset may not be entirely prevented, it can be significantly delayed to the point that one can manage the pain and problems caused by knee arthritis (osteoarthritis).

Shedding excess weight, staying active with low-impact exercises, and strengthening your leg muscles with the right exercise regimen are some of the lifestyle changes that can delay the onset of arthritis, according to research. It should be noted that these prevention strategies work better for knee osteoarthritis. For other less common types of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and reactive arthritis, these measures may not be as effective since the causes of these conditions lean more towards genetic factors and immune system dysfunction.

What lifestyle changes can help manage knee arthritis?

Lifestyle changes are the first line of Defense against potential knee arthritis. Even in cases where knee arthritis appears, lifestyle changes can alleviate the symptoms, improve the knee condition, and reduce the onset of severe knee arthritis. Some of the lifestyle changes that could help include:

Weight Loss: Achieving a healthy weight through sustainable changes in diet and exercise can help reduce the stress on the knee joint, decreasing pain and stiffness.

Stay Active with Exercise: Individuals who stay active with exercise can improve their flexibility, strengthen muscles, and maintain a healthy weight—all beneficial to the knees. Those with a healthy body can focus on strengthening their muscles to further improve stability and support for their knees.

Daily Habits: In addition to the above, caring for your knees with simple, healthy practices can go a long way. The first thing anyone can do is to promptly care for current or past injuries to prevent them from worsening. Supportive devices like braces and canes, as suggested by a doctor, should be used to reduce stress and improve the stability of the joint. Consider using heat or cold to manage pain and inflammation in case of painful situations.