Knee arthritis is a very common degenerative joint disease causing the inflammation and break down of cartilage in the knee joint.
Symptoms
- Pain
- Swelling and associated stiffness-may be worse in the morning or after sitting for a while
- Instability or buckling of knee
- Possible deformity
- Cracking, clicking, creaking, or grinding
Causes
- Osteoarthritis- simple breakdown or wear and tear causing bone to rub on bone.
- Trauma- a bad fall or direct blow to the knee that does not heal properly
- Inflammatory disease- swelling and inflammation of joint lining which softens (rheumatoid arthritis)
Risk factors
- Older age
- Family history
- Overweight or obesity
- Previous injury to area
Prevention
- Weight loss
- Working on more efficient movement
Diagnosis
- Physician evaluation to look for the involvement of other joints (indicating rheumatoid arthritis)
- X-rays to rule out bone injury
- MRI to confirm diagnosis and assess level of damage
Treatment
- Non-surgical treatment:
- Rest
- Life-style modification
- Lower impact activities
- Weight loss
- Brace
- Non-steroidal anti inflammatory medication
- Corticosteroid injection
- Supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin
- Knee arthroscopy to clean up joint
- Cartilage grafting/transplant
- Knee replacement
