Arthritis Knee Treatment: What It Is, Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Admin / October 25, 2024

Millions across the globe suffer from arthritis of the knee. It brings a lot of pain, and discomfort, and tells terribly about the quality of one’s life. People suffering from arthritis, which ranks among the most prevalent joint disorders, know that it acts seriously by restricting movements and everyday activities. Nonetheless, knowing what arthritis of the knee involves, including its signs, risk factors, and treatment methods, may help patients act in time. This can enable them to better manage their health status.

What is Arthritis in the Knee?

The term “arthritis in the knee” describes the inflammation of the medial zone of the knee joint which causes pain, swelling and rigidity. The main target area is cartilage which is a resilient connective tissue that covers the articulating surfaces of bones within a joint. Having this cartilage facilitates easy motion, however, in arthritis, such cartilage is either damaged or worn out so that the bones start contacting one another causing pain and restricted movement of the joint as a whole.

Several types of arthritis can affect the knee, the most common being:

Osteoarthritis (OA): A degenerative joint disease that occurs with age due to wear and tear on the knee cartilage.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): An autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks healthy joint tissues, including those in the knee.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis: Arthritis that develops after an injury to the knee, such as a fracture or ligament tear.

Symptoms of Arthritis in the Knee

In most cases, the severity of the condition and the type of arthritis present in the knee joint will ultimately determine how severe certain symptoms may manifest themselves. There are a few basic symptoms that can easily be observed including:

Pain: Usually localized in the joint area especially after some strenuous physical activity or from a prolonged sitting or standing position.
Swelling: Due to inflammation of the joint capsule of synovial tissue or excess fluid, the knee may be edematous.
Stiffness: Restriction in range of movement in the knee joint especially in the morning hours or after rest for some time.
Cracking Sounds: Some patients have reported a ‘grinding’ or cracking’ noise while moving the knee changes position and this has been referred to as crepitus.
Warmth: This pain is sometimes hot to the touch indicating inflammation.
Instability: Some patients in the advanced stages may experience the knee giving out during weight bearing making it difficult to walk or stand.

Causes of Knee Arthritis

Several factors can contribute to the development of knee arthritis, with the primary causes varying based on the type of arthritis.

Age: Age is a common risk factor for osteoarthritis because the cartilage wears out as one gets older.
Genetics: Inherited arthritis may increase the chances that someone will develop it during their lifetime.
Injury: Post-traumatic arthritis can be due to trauma or injury of the knee joint, for instance, fractures or ligament tear.
Obesity: Additional weight increases the stress on the knee joint and increases the chances of arthritis.
Autoimmune Disorders: Rheumatoid arthritis is due to the body’s conflict with itself as the immune system attacks its joints.
Repetitive Strain: Such persons may be at increased risk of developing arthritis, especially during later years.

Treatment Options for Knee Arthritis

Effective Arthritis Knee Treatment can improve quality of life by reducing pain and enhancing mobility. Treatment options range from non-invasive therapies to surgical interventions, depending on the severity of the arthritis and the patient's overall health.

Lifestyle Modifications: In case of the mild condition of the disease for instance doctors recommend loss of weight, engaging in light physical activities and purchasing good shoe support. Swimming, cycling, and walking are low-impact exercises that can ensure the mobility of the joint without aggravating the condition further.

Medications:

Pain Relievers: If you have pain, consider taking a nonprescription medicine.
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: Painkillers that do not include steroids and are marketed for reducing inflammation in the knees are also available in anti-inflammation medicines as Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Corticosteroid Injections: These injections are beneficial for relieving inflammation and pain temporarily, but they are not recommended for mild cases. Usually moderate to severe cases are dealt with these injections.

Physical Therapy: A physical therapist is capable of coming up with exercises to target the muscles encircling the knee, improve the range of motion, and alleviate stiffness. Physical therapy is a mix of interventions useful for the management of arthritis and retard further progress.

Cellular Therapy:

Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP): This procedure entails drawing the patient’s blood, isolating its platelets and injecting concentrates of PRP into the knee to enhance tissue healing.
Cellular therapy is isolated from the bone marrow or fatty tissues of the spine and are given through injection into the knee. Cartilages that have missed out on regeneration may be made fit again by these cells, bringing the possibility of arousing hope for arthritis patients for a long-term cure.

Surgical Options:

Arthroscopy: It is a type of hip surgery that involves the removal of damaged cartilage or only some intervention to the joint, depending on how serious the injury is.
Partial or Total Knee Replacement: It’s a whole knee joint replacement surgery that is necessary if the bone is so much chopped up. This type of surgical approach is aimed at helping with movement and reducing pain.

Conclusion

One common problem that is addressed is knee arthritis. With the correct care, patients can overcome their discomfort, increase their range of motion, and enjoy active lives. These include lifestyle changes, medications, and even sophisticated cellular and surgical therapies, among others, that address both the causes and symptoms of knee arthritis. However, if you have knee pain or have restricted movement, it is advisable to seek medical help at the earliest possible time for knee preservation and protection of the quality of life.

For more information regarding such advanced therapies like PRP, or cellular therapies, please make an appointment with Dr. Rajput’s Ortho Centre. Our professionals strive to provide care tailored to the individual’s needs allowing the person to take control of the arthritis and be pain-free.