Knee arthritis is a common problem in America. Thousands of Americans suffer from pain associated with knee arthritis.

Knee arthritis comes from several causes: traumatic injury, systemic diseases (Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriasis, Gout, etc.), infections, and osteoarthritis.

Common symptoms of knee arthritis include the following. Start-up pain which refers to pain after sittings for long periods or driving in a car leading to a sore, stiff, and painful knee that usually starts with a limp when first standing followed by improved ambulation after walking. Weather-related symptoms, which generally occurs with a cold front, rain, or change in barometric pressure. Finally, pain after walking for long periods of time. Pain usually progresses over the years but can start acutely after injury and is described as a deep ache. The knees will typically begin to bow in the direction that people are wearing their joint surface the most leading to bow-legged (varus) knees and knock-kneed (valgus) knees.

Description: Arthritis is the damage of the cartilage cap on the end of the bone which acts as the cushion for the joint. As the cartilage is damaged people begin to experience pain from the raw, irritated surfaces of exposed bone.

Diagnosis: The disease is typically diagnosed with x-rays of the knee and occasionally requires an MRI.

Treatment of knee arthritis starts with conservative measures and progresses to invasive measures. Typical beginning treatments include medications to include NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam, Celebrex), therapy to improve strengthening/stretching, bracing, weight reduction, and exercises. Invasive treatments start with injections to include: steroid injections, hyaluronic acid injection, PRP, and stem cell injections. If conservative measures fail, then typically patients require a joint replacement. Joint replacements include partial knee replacements and total knee replacements. Patients are generally ready for a knee replacement when their pain is constant, affects sleep, quality of life, limits activities, and they decide the can no longer live life with these symptoms.

If you think you may have knee arthritis or have similar symptoms please come and see us or seek the help of a medical professional for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan.