While it may seem counterintuitive to walk or exercise when your knee feels stiff or swollen, walking and other low impact activities can be especially helpful for OA of the knee. Surgical TreatmentsIf nothing else helps your pain, you and your doctor may decide surgery is needed. You might start by seeing your primary care doctor, who might refer you to a doctor who specializes in joint disorders (rheumatologist) or orthopedic surgery. The ACR and AF strongly recommend against using stem cell therapy, as there are no standards to regulate this practice. At this stage, the cartilage has either significantly diminished or completely worn away.
Osteoarthritis is a common joint condition that affects millions of people worldwide. One of the most commonly affected areas is the knee, leading to significant pain and discomfort for those suffering from this condition.
This is supported by the differences seen in cartilage with both osteoarthritis and aging. Furthermore, the enzymes responsible for cartilage degradation are expressed in higher amounts in knee osteoarthritis, whereas they are at normal levels in the normal aging cartilage. You may begin to lose some of the cartilage between your joints. However, the space between your joints wouldn’t be getting smaller at this point. You may start to develop bone spurs, which are growths on the ends of the bones.
OA of the knee is usually diagnosed with a review of your medical history and a physical exam of your knee. The doctor may draw your blood or take fluid from your knee with a needle to rule out other forms of arthritis. If you have joint pain or stiffness that doesn’t go away, make an appointment with your doctor.
Causes of Pain
Talk to your doctor if you’re feeling frustrated, because he or she may have ideas to help you cope or be able to refer you to someone who can help. Authors of a 2018 meta-analysis looked at ways of using stem cells to treat OA and how this influenced long-term results. They concluded that the findings of high quality studies were inconsistent. For example, the therapy is expensive, a person may have to receive several rounds before they see results, and the treatment may be ineffective if a person’s body mass index is over 35.
The pain from osteoarthritis of the knee is primarily caused by the breakdown of cartilage in the joint. This breakdown leads to inflammation, swelling, and stiffness in the knee, resulting in pain with movement.
Symptoms
You’ll probably find that the pain varies and that you have good and bad days. Other knee tests may be performed, depending on the clinical suspicion based on the history. Palpation along the bony and soft tissue structures is an essential part of any knee exam. The palpatory exam can be broken down into the medial, midline, and lateral structures of the knee. When dealing with any health condition it’s important to also look after your mental wellbeing as this can impact your recovery. You do not need to be symptom free before you consider returning to work.
It can take anywhere from several months to several years to reach an advanced stage of OA. Your medical provider will assess your symptoms, X-rays, blood tests, and other laboratory tests to define your OA stage and subsequent treatment plan. Total knee replacement or partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement (arthroplasty). Your doctor will remove the damaged cartilage and bone, and then position new metal or plastic joint surfaces to restore the function of your knee. The joint lining damaged by rheumatoid arthritis is removed to reduce pain and swelling. Many alternative forms of therapy are unproven, but may be helpful to try, provided you find a qualified practitioner and keep your doctor informed of your decision.
- Joint stiffness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Decreased range of motion
Treatment Options
There are several treatment options available to help manage the pain from osteoarthritis of the knee. These can include:
- Physical therapy
- Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Corticosteroid injections
- Weight management
- Surgery (in severe cases)
FAQs
Q: Can osteoarthritis of the knee be cured?
A: While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, treatment options can help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life.
Q: How can I prevent osteoarthritis of the knee?
A: Maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and avoiding activities that put excess stress on the knees can help prevent osteoarthritis.
In conclusion, pain from osteoarthritis of the knee can be debilitating, but with proper management and treatment, individuals can find relief and improve their overall quality of life.
