Knee arthritis is a condition that is commonly prevalent among the elderly however an autoimmune disorder of rheumatoid arthritis can be seen even in the younger age group.

What is knee arthritis??

Knee arthritis is a painful condition caused by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. The cartilage is the smooth, slippery material that covers the ends of bones, providing a smooth surface for your bones to glide over.

There are primarily two types of arthritis in the knee: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is most common and appears when the cartilage in the knee gradually wears away. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that can occur at any age and it can also involve other joints. Arthritis can also develop after an injury and symptoms might appear several years following an injury.

You might experience the following signs and symptoms if you are suffering from either form of knee arthritis.

Pain intensity gradually increases over time and is commonly experienced in the morning or after a period of inactivity.

• Pain in the front of the knee
• -Pain when walking or standing
• -Swelling in the knee
• -Loss of range of motion
• -stiffness

The intensity of pain can increase in cold climates or under stressful conditions.

Knee arthritis is a condition that is common among older adults, as well as athletes. However, this condition can be managed with conservative treatments. A doctor may recommend a number of treatments, including physical therapy, medications, and surgery. Each treatment has its benefits and drawbacks. People who have arthritis in their knees should be conservative in their management.

• Avoid overuse of knees and use pain relief as recommended by the doctor.
• Always ensure a good warm-up and cool-down before and after physical activity.
• Avoid bending the knee too much, especially if they have a history of tearing their meniscus or patella.
• Consider using a knee brace or support that is available to help protect the knee.

Apart from conservative treatment, surgery is also an option for people with severe arthritis in their knees who have not responded to other treatments.

Surgical management of knee arthritis:

There are a few surgical options that can be used to manage knee arthritis. These include arthroscopic surgery, which involves removing and then repositioning the damaged part of the knee, and open surgery, which involves cutting open the knee joint.

• Arthroscopic surgery is typically done when there is minimal damage to the knee joint and it can be done without any incisions on the skin.
• Open surgery, on the other hand, is usually performed on older patients with more advanced arthritis and larger joints.
• Another common surgical procedure to manage knee arthritis is total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This procedure involves replacing the damaged parts of the knee with prosthetic components. The prosthetic components are made of metal and plastic, and they are inserted into the knee to replace the damaged parts. The prosthetic components are attached to the original joint surfaces.  This procedure helps in easing your pain.

In many cases, knee arthritis can be managed with non-surgical means such as physical therapy. If you have severe symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair damaged cartilage. It is important to discuss the possible treatments with your doctor before deciding on a treatment plan.

We are here to help you lead a pain-free life !!!