Knee Arthritis
August 25, 2008 · Print This Article
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of knee arthritis. Also called degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive wearing away of the cartilage of the joint. Bare bone is exposed within the joint, as the protective cartilage is worn away by knee arthritis.
Knee arthritis normally affects patients over 50 years of age. It is more common in patients who are overweight. Weight loss tends to reduce the symptoms associated with knee arthritis. There is also a genetic predisposition of this condition. Other contributing factors include ligament damage, trauma to the knee, and fractures to the bone around the joint.
Symptoms of knee arthritis tend to progress as the condition worsens. The symptoms do not always progress steadily with time. Quite often, patients report good months and bad months or symptoms that change with weather changes. So comparing the symptoms of arthritis on one particular day may not accurately represent the overall progression of the disease.
The most common symptoms of knee arthritis are:
• Pain when engaged in various activities
• Limited range of joint motion
• Stiffness of the knee joint
• Joint swelling
• Tenderness in the joint
• A feeling general weakness of the joints
• Knock-knees or bow-legs
Evaluation of a patient with knee arthritis should normally begin with a physical examination and X-Rays. These serve as a baseline to evaluate later examination to determine the progression of the disease.
Treatment of knee arthritis must begin with the most basic steps and progress, possibly including surgery. Not all treatments are appropriate in every patient. A regular checkup with your doctor is required to determine which treatments are appropriate for your knee arthritis.
The following are the common treatments for knee arthritis:
• Weight loss
• Swimming
• Walking
• Physiotherapy
• Anti inflammatory medications
• Steroids like cortisone etc
• Use of products like glucosamine to supplement joint wear
• Arthroscopy
• Osteotomy
• Knee replacement surgery
