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Osteoarthritis is the most common type of knee arthritis. Also called wear-and-tear arthritis or degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive wearing away of the cartilage of the joint. As the protective cartilage is worn away by knee arthritis, bare bone is exposed within the joint.
Knee arthritis typically affects patients over 50 years of age. It is more common in patients who are overweight, and weight loss tends to reduce the symptoms associated with knee arthritis. There is also a genetic predisposition to this condition, meaning knee arthritis tends to run in families. Other factors that can contribute to developing knee arthritis include trauma to the knee, meniscus tears or ligament damage, and fractures to the bone around the joint.
The most common symptoms of knee arthritis are:
Evaluation of a patient with knee arthritis will begin with a physical examination and X-rays. These can serve as a baseline to evaluate later examinations and determine progression of the condition.
Treatment of knee arthritis should begin with the most basic steps and progress to the more involved, possibly including surgery. Not all treatments are appropriate for every patient, and you should have a discussion with your doctor to determine which treatments are appropriate for your case. The range of options:
Weight Loss: Probably one of the most important, yet least commonly performed treatments. The less weight the joint has to carry, the less painful activities will be.
Activity Modification: Limiting certain activities may be necessary, and learning new exercise methods may be helpful.
Walking Aids: Use of a cane or a single crutch is the hand opposite the affected knee will help decrease the demand placed on the arthritic joint.
Physical Therapy: Strengthening of the muscles around the knee joint may help decrease the burden on the knee. Preventing atrophy of the muscles is an important part of maintaining functional use of the knee.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications: Anti-inflammatory pain medications (NSAIDs) are prescription and nonprescription drugs that help treat pain and inflammation.
Cortisone Injections: Cortisone injections may help decrease inflammation and reduce pain within a joint.
Synvisc: Synvisc may be effective against pain in some patients with knee arthritis and may delay the need for knee replacement surgery.
Joint Supplements (Glucosamine): Glucosamine appears to be safe and might be effective for treatment of knee arthritis, but research into these supplements has been limited.
Knee Arthroscopy: Exactly how effective knee arthroscopy is for treatment of arthritis is debatable. For some specific symptoms, it may be helpful.
Knee Osteotomy: While most patients are not good candidates for this alternative to knee replacement, it can be effective for young patients with limited arthritis.
Total Knee Replacement Surgery: In this procedure, the cartilage is removed and a metal & plastic implant is placed in the knee.
Partial Knee Replacement Surgery: Also called a unicompartmental knee replacement, this is replacement of one part of the knee. It is a surgical option for the treatment of limited knee arthritis.
Woodworth Orthopedics and Sports Medicine will help you decide how to best treat your knee arthritis. Call Dr. Woodworth today at (702) 545-6194 for an appointment.
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