If your knee pain makes you limp when you walk or you dread going up and down stairs, you might be one of the millions of people with osteoarthritic knees. In fact, the Arthritis Foundation says the knee is one of the most common spots for osteoarthritis to develop. But you dont have to let knee pain limit your enjoyment of life. According to the Centers for Disease Control, many people with OA are not being proactive because of the misconception that arthritis is an inevitable part of aging and that the aches and pains are simply something you must learn to live with.
Here are 4 things you need to know about this chronic condition:
1. What is osteoarthritis? Its a medical condition that damages the cartilage, bones, fluid and lining of the joint. Cartilage covers the ends of the bones in the knee joint. Without this protective cushion, the bones can rub against each other, causing friction and pain. Over time, fragments of bone or cartilage may break lose and float around. Spurs may develop on the end of the bones and the joint lining may become inflamed. All of this leads to swelling, tenderness, stiffness and pain.
2. What causes it? According to the Arthritis Foundation, osteoarthritis is no longer thought of as simply a mechanical process where the joint wears out due to age. Instead, the current view is that osteoarthritis has multiple risk factors, including a predisposition based on family history; being overweight, which can put pressure on the knee joint; traumatic injury or accident; chronic overuse and stress to the joint.
3. Is there a cure? At the present time, there isnt a cure for osteoarthritis, but there are number of treatment options, both surgical and nonsurgical. Exercise, over the counter medications and topical creams can help early stage disease. Injections and prescription drugs may help more advance conditions. But chronic pain and disability is best relieved through joint replacement surgery.
4. How is it diagnosed? The doctor will conduct a physical exam, which includes inspecting your knee for swelling, warmth or tenderness, and evaluating how far you can extend your leg without discomfort. X-rays can identify a narrowing of spaces in the joint and other evidence of joint disease. It can also rule out other conditions, such as bone fracture. If needed, more advanced imaging techniques, such as CT scan, ultrasound or MRI may be considered.
If OA knee pain is affecting you quality of life, call us today at 239-036-6778 to schedule a consultation. For more general information on osteoarthritis, go to www.kaganortho.com.
