Knee arthritis is a common condition that occurs when the cartilage in the knee joint breaks down, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling.

Knee Arthritis

Knee arthritis is a common condition that occurs when the cartilage in the knee joint breaks down, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. Cartilage is a smooth, flexible tissue that covers the ends of bones and helps to cushion and protect the joint. When it wears away, the bones can rub against each other, leading to pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility.There are several different types of knee arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type and is usually caused by wear and tear on the joint over time. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that can affect any joint in the body, including the knee. Post-traumatic arthritis can develop after a knee injury or fracture.Symptoms of knee arthritis can include pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility. Treatment options may include pain medication, physical therapy, and surgery in more severe cases. Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, staying active, and avoiding high-impact activities, may also be helpful in managing symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease.

Knee Arthritis Background

Conservative treatment for knee arthritis is focused on reducing pain and inflammation, improving joint mobility, and slowing the progression of the disease. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

<ul><li>Pain medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can help to reduce pain and inflammation.</li><li>Physical therapy: A physical therapist can work with you to develop an exercise program that strengthens the muscles around the knee joint and improves joint mobility.</li><li>Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce stress on the knee joint and slow the progression of the disease.</li><li>Assistive devices: Using a cane, knee brace, or other assistive device can help to reduce pain and improve mobility.</li><li>Injections: Corticosteroid injections can provide temporary relief from pain and inflammation, while hyaluronic acid injections can help to lubricate the joint and improve mobility.</li><li>Alternative therapies: Some people find relief from knee arthritis symptoms with alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, massage therapy, or supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin.</li></ul>

Treatment Options

Arthritis Treatment

Knee Injections

Surgical treatment for knee arthritis may be recommended if conservative treatments do not provide sufficient relief or if the arthritis has progressed to a more severe stage. Some common surgical options for knee arthritis include:

<ul><li>Arthroscopy: This minimally invasive procedure involves using a small camera to examine the knee joint and removing any loose or damaged cartilage.</li><li>Osteotomy: In this procedure, the surgeon cuts and reshapes the bone in the knee to shift the weight-bearing load away from the damaged area.</li><li>Partial knee replacement: This surgery involves replacing only the damaged portion of the knee joint with a prosthetic component.</li><li>Total knee replacement: In this surgery, the entire knee joint is replaced with a prosthetic component.</li><li>Cartilage transplant: In some cases, healthy cartilage from another part of the body may be transplanted into the damaged area of the knee joint.</li></ul>

Surgical Options

Joint Replacement Candidate

Pain Chart

In most post-operative patients, we treat pain with a multi-modal medication program. Watch to learn more and download the resource below.

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