While aging is a significant risk factor for osteoarthritis of the knee, it can also affect young people. It could be hereditary in some cases. Others develop osteoarthritis of the knee as a result of an injury, infection, or being overweight. Here are the answers to your concerns regarding knee osteoarthritis, including how it's treated and what you may do to relieve discomfort at home.
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| Osteoarthritis of the Knee (Degenerative Arthritis of the Knee) | Overview |
What Is Osteoarthritis and How Does It Affect You?
Wear-and-tear arthritis, often known as osteoarthritis, is a condition in which the natural padding between joints, cartilage, wears away. When this happens, the bones of the joints rub more closely against one another with less of the shock-absorbing benefits of cartilage. The rubbing causes discomfort, edema, stiffness, limited mobility, and the production of bone spurs in some cases.
What Causes Knee Osteoarthritis?
The most prevalent type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. While osteoarthritis can strike anyone at any age, the risk of having it increases after the age of 45. More than 27 million people in the United States have osteoarthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation, with the knee being one of the most typically affected locations. Osteoarthritis is more common in women than in males.
What Causes Osteoarthritis in the Knees?
Age is the most common cause of knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis affects almost everyone at some point in their lives. Several factors, however, enhance the likelihood of acquiring severe arthritis at a younger age.
- Age. As a person gets older, cartilage's ability to mend reduces.
- Weight. Weight puts more strain on all joints, particularly the knees. Every pound you acquire puts 3 to 4 pounds of additional weight to your knees.
- Heredity. This includes genetic variations that may increase a person's risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. It's also possible that it's caused by genetic anomalies in the shape of the bones that surround the knee joint.
- Gender. Osteoarthritis of the knee affects more women than males over the age of 55.
- Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) are a type of injury that occurs when These are frequently the effect of a person's occupation. Because of the constant pressure on the joint, those with specific vocations that require a lot of activity that can stress the joint, such as kneeling, squatting, or lifting big weights (55 pounds or more), are more prone to develop osteoarthritis of the knee.
- Athletics. Athletes who participate in soccer, tennis, or long-distance running may be more susceptible to osteoarthritis of the knee. As a result, sportsmen must exercise caution in order to avoid injury. It's worth noting, though, that frequent moderate activity strengthens joints and lowers the risk of osteoarthritis. In truth, osteoarthritis can be caused by weak muscles around the knee.
- Other diseases. Osteoarthritis is more common in people who have rheumatoid arthritis, the second most common kind of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is more common in those with specific metabolic problems, such as iron overload or excess growth hormone.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis in the Knee?
The following are some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee:
- When you're active, the pain grows worse, but when you're not, it gets a little better.
- swelling
- a warm sensation in the joint
- stiffness in the knee, especially in the morning or after sitting for a long period of time
- Reduced knee mobility makes it difficult to get in and out of chairs or cars, use the stairs, or walk.
- When the knee moves, it makes a creaking, crackling sound.
How Do You Know If You Have Knee Osteoarthritis?
A physical examination by your doctor will be the first step in diagnosing knee osteoarthritis. Your doctor will also take your medical history and make a note of any symptoms you are experiencing. Make a note of what makes your pain worse or better to aid your doctor in determining whether your pain is caused by osteoarthritis or something else. Also, see whether anyone else in your family suffers from arthritis. Additional tests, such as the following, may be ordered by your doctor:
- Bone and cartilage deterioration, as well as the existence of bone spurs, can be seen on X-rays.
- MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging)
When X-rays do not reveal a clear cause for joint discomfort or when the X-rays indicate that other types of joint tissue may be injured, MRI scans may be ordered. Blood tests may be done by doctors to rule out other disorders that could be causing the pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis, a kind of arthritis caused by an immune system issue.
What Is the Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis?
The basic goals of treating osteoarthritis of the knee are pain relief and mobility restoration. In most cases, the treatment strategy will contain a combination of the following:
- Loss of weight. If necessary, losing even a small amount of weight can considerably reduce knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.
- Exercise. Strengthening the muscles that surround the knee improves joint stability and reduces discomfort. Stretching exercises aid in the mobility and flexibility of the knee joint.
- Anti-inflammatory and pain medications. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen sodium are examples of over-the-counter medications (Aleve). Over-the-counter drugs should not be taken for more than 10 days without consulting your doctor. Taking them for a longer period of time raises the risk of side effects. If over-the-counter pain relievers don't work, your doctor may prescribe an anti-inflammatory pill or another medication to assist relieve the discomfort.
- Corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid injections into the knee. Steroids are anti-inflammatory medications with a lot of potency. Hyaluronic acid is a sort of lubricating fluid that is generally found in joints.
- Alternative medicine is a term that refers to a variety Topical capsaicin creams, acupuncture, and supplements like as glucosamine and chondroitin or SAMe are some of the alternative therapy that may be useful.
- Using braces and other devices. There are two types of braces: "unloader" braces, which take the weight off the arthritis-affected side of the knee, and "support" braces, which support the entire knee.
- Occupational and physical therapy Physical or occupational therapy might assist you with daily activities if you are having difficulty. Physical therapists show you how to strengthen muscles and increase joint flexibility. Occupational therapists can educate you how to accomplish everyday tasks like cleaning with minimal pain.
- Surgery. When all other therapies have failed, surgery is a viable choice.
Is Knee Osteoarthritis Treated with Surgery?
If your doctor recommends surgery to treat your knee osteoarthritis, you have three options: arthroscopy, osteotomy, or arthroplasty.
- A small telescope (arthroscope) and other small devices are used in arthroscopy. Small incisions are used to execute the procedure. The surgeon looks into the joint space with the arthroscope. If damaged cartilage or loose particles are identified, the surgeon can remove them, clean the bone surface, and restore other types of tissue. The treatment is frequently used on younger patients (under 55 years old) to postpone more serious surgery.
- An osteotomy is a treatment that involves modifying the geometry of the bones to improve knee alignment. If you have damage to only one part of your knee, this sort of surgery may be advised. It may also be beneficial if you have a broken knee that has not healed properly. An osteotomy is not permanent, and more surgery may be required in the future.
- Arthroplasty, or joint replacement surgery, is a surgical treatment that involves the replacement of joints with artificial pieces composed of metal or plastic. One side of the knee may be replaced, or the complete knee may be replaced. Joint replacement surgery is often reserved for patients over the age of 50 who have severe osteoarthritis. If the prosthetic joint wears out after a few years, the procedure may need to be redone. However, with today's technological developments, most new joints will last for more than 20 years. The operation carries some risks, but the outcomes are often positive.
- webmd | https://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/ostearthritis-of-the-knee-degenerative-arthritis-of-the-knee
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