Symptoms of Knee Arthritis
Knee Osteoarthritis is the most common type of knee arthritis. Also known as degenerative joint disease of the knee, osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive wearing away of the cartilage of the joint. Bare bone is exposed within the joint, as the protective particular cartilage is worn away by knee arthritis.
Knee arthritis normally affects patients over 50 years of age. It is more common to see patients who are overweight. Weight loss tends to lower the symptoms associated with knee arthritis. There is also a genetic predisposition disease of this condition. Other contributing factors include ligament damage, trauma to the knee, and fractures to the bone around the joint.
Symptoms of arthritis in the knee tend to progress as the condition worsens. These types of symptoms do not always progress steadily with time. Quite often, patients report good months and bad months or symptoms that change with weather changes. So comparing the symptoms of arthritis on one particular day may not accurately represent the overall progression of the disease.
Most common symptoms of knee arthritis are:
- Pain when engaged in various activities
- Limited range of joint motion
- Stiffness of the knee joint
- Joint swelling
- Tenderness in the joint
- A feeling general weakness of the joints
- Knock-knees or bow-legs
Evaluation of a patient with knee arthritis should normally begin with a physical examination, X-Rays & Basic Arthritis profile test or Advance blood test for Arthritis. These serve as a baseline to evaluate later examination to determine the progression of the disease.
Treatment of knee arthritis must begin with the most basic steps and progress, possibly including surgery. Not all treatments are appropriate in each patient. A regular checkup with your doctor is require to determine which treatments are appropriate for your knee arthritis.
The following are the common treatments for knee arthritis:
- Weight loss
- Swimming
- Walking
- Physiotherapy
- Anti inflammatory medications
- Steroids like cortisone etc
- Use of products like glucosamine to supplement joint wear
- Arthroscopy
- Osteotomy
The Knee osteoarthritis is a progressive condition usually found to occur among older patients. The Knee osteoarthritis is characterize by a gradual degeneration of the surface cartilage of the knee. This, over a period of time slowly leads to further deformity of the knee and may result in complete loss of joint function.
Though the reasons leading to knee osteoarthritis is not known, there seems to be a genetic component. Obesity, trauma and even a fracture can lead to this form of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis affects each person differently. In some people, it progresses fast; in others, the symptoms are more serious. Scientists do not know yet what causes the disease, but there can be a combination of factors, including being overweight, the aging process, joint injury, and stresses on the joints from certain jobs and sports activities
Even though osteoarthritis does not produce many initial symptoms, morning stiffness, pain with activity and mild swellings may occur over a period of time. A dull toothache-like pain, especially with weather changes, is common in the intermediate stages. No single test can diagnose osteoarthritis.
A combination of Arthritis checkup packages are carried out before the doctor actually determines the nature of the condition and the subsequent treatment processes for knee osteoarthritis. The patient’s general health, including his reflexes, muscle strength and joints of the patient examined by the doctor. The ability of the patient to walk, bend, and carry out activities of daily living will also considered.
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