You usually wouldn’t have any noticeable symptoms or detectable signs of OA during this stage. You may have experienced several healed or healing injuries of one or more of your joints at this stage, or you might be overusing one or more joints. Healthcare providers now understand that osteoarthritis is not an inevitable part of aging. It seems as though a combination of different factors leads to the development of osteoarthritis in individuals.
**Knee cartilage osteoarthritis** is a degenerative joint disease that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time, leading to pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion in the knee joint.
If found in the early stages, knee cartilage loss is treated with conservative measures such as weight loss, exercise, pain relieving medication, and physical therapy. However, once OA progresses to the point where there is no knee cartilage left, more advanced treatments are needed. Osteoarthritis of the knee typically starts with knee pain that only occurs when you put pressure on the joint.
OA can affect any joint in the body but occurs most often in the knees. However, as researchers looked into them further, mixed results and large amounts of poor-quality evidence led glucosamine and chondroitin to fall out of favor with many in the medical community. The two just don’t appear to do much in the way of alleviating osteoarthritis symptoms or joint pain in general. If you’re overweight, losing weight through diet and exercise can help relieve minor symptoms and improve your quality of life. Even people who aren’t overweight will benefit from exercise. The stages of knee osteoarthritis range from stage 0, normal, to stage 4, severe.
Individuals with **knee cartilage osteoarthritis** may experience symptoms such as swelling, tenderness, and a grating sensation in the knee. These symptoms can worsen over time, making it difficult to perform everyday activities like walking or climbing stairs.
An important consideration with any treatment is whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks. The supplements glucosamine and chondroitin became popular for joint pain years ago. The two substances are “building blocks” of cartilage, so it made logical sense. Long-term studies have yet to show any clear benefit of Synvisc; however, many patients believe that it is effective. Studies have shown that patients who are treated with Synvisc are more likely to go longer before needing a knee replacement. Synvisc is conditionally approved for osteoarthritis by the U.S.
There are several risk factors for developing **knee cartilage osteoarthritis**, including age, genetics, obesity, and previous knee injuries. While there is no cure for this condition, there are treatment options available to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
**Non-surgical treatments** for **knee cartilage osteoarthritis** may include physical therapy, weight management, and the use of assistive devices such as braces or orthotics. In more severe cases, surgery may be recommended to repair or replace damaged cartilage in the knee joint.
By participating in physical therapy following the operation, most people can resume normal, everyday activities within 6 weeks, though a full recovery can take several months. On the plus side, knee replacement can eventually restore full function to the knee joint and relieve you of the pain that can make walking or even standing difficult. In addition, a 2005 study found that 1 pound of weight loss removes 4 pounds of joint stress in people with knee osteoarthritis. So if a person loses 5 pounds, that’s the equivalent of removing 20 pounds of stress off the knee joint. Other types of knee arthritisKnee osteoarthritis is by far the most common type of arthritis to cause knee pain, and often referred to as simply knee arthritis.
If you suspect you may have **knee cartilage osteoarthritis**, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. Early intervention can help prevent further damage to the knee joint and improve overall function and mobility.
Combination intra-articular injections can also be effective for people who have lost knee cartilage. Certain dietary supplements can help support healthy cartilage cells to protect the knee joint from wear and tear. This article discusses treatments for cartilage loss in the knee. It also covers complications and how to prevent mild knee osteoarthritis from progressing into total cartilage loss. In very advanced osteoarthritis, the cartilage might wear away so much in some places that bone is exposed.
