Do I Have Arthritis In My Knee
Dr. Ekaterina Urch, orthopedic surgeon and knee specialist, covers the symptoms, causes, and best treatment options for knee arthritis.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is the result of inflammation in one or more of your joints. This inflammation can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in various joints within the body and can even lead people to replacing their joints because the arthritis has interfered with their every-day activity level. This can be particularly true with arthritis felt in the knee, one of the more common areas where arthritis can occur. Depending on how bad the pain is, it can interfere with the activities people enjoy and can keep them from pursuing an active life.
What are the different types of arthritis?
Not all types of arthritis are created equal. In fact, there are more than 100 different forms of arthritis. However, the two more common types of arthritis include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, which is known as a degenerative wear-and-tear type of arthritis, is commonly found in the knee. It is rare for osteoarthritis to be found in younger people. It is more commonly found in people 50 years of age and older.
Why is osteoarthritis causing you so much pain?
Rheumatoid arthritis
Posttraumatic arthritis
Symptoms of knee arthritis:
Other symptoms of knee arthritis:
Nonsurgical treatment for knee arthritis:
Other nonsurgical options to help ease arthritis pain:
Foot Orthotics For Knee Pain & Pain Relief
Just like knee braces, foot orthotics is very light on your budget and proves very helpful in knee pain treatment. They are ideally used in conjunction with other forms of knee pain treatment and therapies especially strengthening exercises. Orthotics work to prevent internal leg rotation by re-aligning our feet and ankles which is a primary cause of patella mal-tracking.
Many studies claim the success rate of orthotic insoles to be high in various patients suffering from patello-femoral knee pain. Experts at the University of Queensland conducted a study recently that showed a comparative analysis of results in 2 patient groups. The first group was given a combination treatment of physiotherapy and orthotics and the other one received only physiotherapy. The former showed significant improvement with regards to knee pain as compared to the latter.
Orthotics are worn by leading athletes as it ensures proper alignment of their feet, legs and knees. Footlogics orthotics correct overpronation to restore proper knee function. It works by eliminating one of the primary causes of patello-femoral pain. If you too suffer from fallen arches and/or too much rolling inward of your ankles, orthotics can provide you with significant knee pain relief.
How Do You Know If You Have Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis occurs most commonly in the knees, ankles, fingers, toes, and lower back. Symptoms include:
- Stiffness in your joints, especially in the morning
- Painful swelling in the fingers and toes
- Pain where tendons and ligaments attach to your joints. This means you may have foot pain at the back of your heel
- Joint tenderness to the touch
Some arthritic symptoms overlap, so it may be difficult to know which form of arthritis you have. If you believe you may have one of these conditions, it is always best to get checked out by a doctor before symptoms worsen.
We are leading joint replacement surgeons in the Midwest and treat numerous joint conditions. Call our office today if you would like to make an appointment or speak to a nurse.
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What Happens During Knee Joint Replacement
When its time for your surgery, youll change into a hospital gown and get an IV to provide you with fluids and nutrients during the surgery. Just before surgery, youll receive anesthesia.
During the procedure, which lasts between one and two hours, your surgeon will make a long surgical cut above your knee. With the skin and muscle pulled back, theyll cut away damaged cartilage and bone.
Theyll affix the new knee joint to your femur, or thighbone, and tibia, which is the main bone in your lower leg. Theyll do this using specialized cement, pins, and screws. Afterward, your surgeon will close the incision wound with stitches and apply a bandage.
Youll recover from the surgery in a special recovery room where a team can monitor your vital signs.
Arthritis Runs In Your Family
Does your family skip the annual Thanksgiving touch-football tradition because everyone would need to ice their knees afterward? Youre more likely to suffer arthritis symptoms if your parents, grandparents, or siblings have the condition, according to the Cleveland Clinic. And recent research from the UK identified nine genes for osteoarthritis, which suggests that genes may explain at least part of the reason this link exists. And help yourself stay active with these stretches for arthritis that you can do without leaving your chair.
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What Does Knee Pain Caused By Arthritis Feel Like
With the immense amount of pressure and strain put on our knees day after day and year after year, it is not surprising that knee pain is such a widespread complaint in men and women of all ages in Atlanta, GA. While there are certainly some more serious causes of knee pain, in a large number of people, knee pain is temporary and, relatively, harmless. However, if you think the pain in your knees may be caused by arthritis, here are a few telltale signs and symptoms to watch for:
What’s New In Arthritis Research
Progress is so fast in some areas of arthritis research today that the media often report new findings before the medical journal with the information reaches your doctor’s office. As a result, you need to know how to evaluate reports on new arthritis research.
Arthritis researchers are looking at four broad areas of research. These include causes, treatments, education and prevention.
Researchers are learning more about certain conditions. For example in osteoarthritis, researchers are looking for signs of early destruction of cartilage and ways to rebuild it. For rheumatoid arthritis and other types that involve inflammation, researchers are trying to understand the steps that lead to inflammation and how it can be slowed or stopped. An initial study suggests that fibromyalgia affects more older people than originally thought and often may be overlooked in this group. Your doctor can tell you about other new research findings. If you would like to take part in arthritis research, ask your doctor for a referral to a study in your area.
Many people help make arthritis research possible. The federal government through its National Institutes of Health is the largest supporter of arthritis research. Drug companies do the most research on new medications.
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What Is The Patient’s Role In Treating Or Managing Arthritis
The patient is the most important member of the health care team.
The patient plays an important role in his or her medical care. The patient can contribute to the success of a treatment plan by:
- learning about arthritis
- reporting progress and setbacks to health team
- keeping a positive attitude
- developing relationships with the rest of the health care team
Keeping a positive attitude, though sometimes difficult, is an important ingredient in overcoming arthritis. Asking questions and finding out as much as you can about of arthritis and its treatment is important. So talk over your concerns with your doctor. If you still need more information , ask the nurse, physical therapist, social worker, occupational therapist to help you find answers to your questions.
Exercise And Other Knee Arthritis Remedies
For both OA and inflammatory knee arthritis patients, exercise is a key component of treatment, particularly if youre overweight or obese
Physical therapy may be a necessary first step for some to strengthen the muscles surrounding your knee joint and improve range of motion. Low-impact exercises walking, cycling, or swimming are usually best for those with arthritis of the knee, but you may be able to do higher-impact exercises if dont have much joint damage.
To help make activity more comfortable, your doctor may recommend using assistive devices such as a cane or a knee brace or sleeve. Wearing well-cushioned, shock-absorbing shoes or inserts is also key unsupportive styles such as flip-flops and flimsy flats only exacerbate knee joint pain. High heels, which throw off your alignment and place added stress on your knees, should also be avoided.
Its also a good idea to talk to your doctor about how to get more rest, since many people with arthritis experience sleep disturbances that studies suggest can lead to pain, depression, and greater disability. Simply practicing good sleep hygiene sticking to a regular bedtime, keeping your bedroom quiet and dark, exercising during the day, etc. can help in many cases.
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Supplements For Those With Mild Pain
For people with milder pain, Dr. Day suggests trying supplements, such as the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin or the spice turmeric.
The evidence for glucosamine and chondroitin is mixed, but they are safe. So it might be worth trying. However, people with a shellfish allergy may not be able to tolerate them. Any effect wont kick in right away. Dr. Day recommends trying it for six to eight weeks. If you notice improvement, great if not, then stop it, she says.
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, and there is some evidence for its usefulness for painful knee arthritis. You can add turmeric to your food or take it as a supplement. It can thin blood, so people who take a blood thinning medication should not use turmeric.
What Are The Symptoms Of Knee Arthritis
Symptoms include knee joint aching, soreness and pain, and swelling and stiffness. Sometimes this leads to reduced activity and muscle weakness. Weakened muscles can lead to instability and decreased ability to control the knee, further limiting the ability to participate in enjoyable activities.
The knee joint may develop cysts, bone spurs, or loss of cartilage. The absence of cartilage will cause friction and narrowing of the joint space.
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What Happens After Finishing All The Tests
After finishing all the tests, then follow-up with orthopedist will be there. The orthopedist will go through the images obtained via X-ray along with the results of other tests. The orthopedist will get all the information, which is required by him/her to continue the process of treatment.
The orthopedist will also find out the severity of osteoarthritis and will provide you with detailed information about your condition. There could be some other conditions that could be found out by the orthopedist, such as cartilage tear and muscle strain after checking out the images that are obtained via x-ray.
After all the lengthy process of diagnosis, the orthopedist will provide an appropriate treatment plan, according to the condition of the patient. There are various methods of treatment that orthopedist may suggest to you. They can suggest physical therapy, medications, or surgery.
In some other cases, the condition can be managed with a change in a lifestyle, weight management, ice therapy, and others.
Benefits Of Orthotics For Knee Pain
When your orthotics are a good fit for you, they will not cause knee pain. They will cushion and support your feet while making it easier to maintain good posture. Because no two people have an identical musculoskeletal system, customization is key to obtaining high-quality orthotics.
The break-in period can take time. You may have to wear your custom orthotics, identify small problems, and have them reshaped or adjusted gradually. In the end, you should be able to obtain orthotics that are perfectly suited to your body and your lifestyle which relieve pain and help prevent injury.
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Find Out What Type Of Arthritis You Have
Learn about the type of arthritis you have and your treatment options. Ask your doctor about creating a tailored management plan and team care arrangement for you. This includes subsidised care from a team of healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists, dietitians, and others. Your local Arthritis office may also run self management courses to help you develop skills to manage your symptoms, communicate with your healthcare team and lessen the impact of arthritis on your life.
Other Injections: Hyaluronic Acid Botox And More
Some people have used other types of injections for OA of the knee.
However, experts from the American College of Rheumatology and the Arthritis Foundation dont currently recommend using these, as theres not enough evidence that they work.
Examples of other types of injections include:
- hyaluronic acid injections, also known as viscosupplementation
You may not know exactly what type of injection youre receiving or what the effect might be.
Always discuss the pros and cons of any treatment with your doctor before starting, so that you can make an informed decision.
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Sign #5 Reduced Motion
If you are having trouble walking up and down stairs, or going up and down hills because your knees feel stiff or have trouble bending, this can also be a sign that you have arthritis. One of the most common ways that you can know if you have arthritis in the knee is if you have difficulty sitting down or getting up from a seated position. Your knees may feel like they cant bend as easily as they used to this is a much different sensation from having your knees lock.
What Does Arthritis Pain Feel Like
Are you wondering if the pain and stiffness in your hips, knees, or fingers are caused by arthritis? Here’s how you and your doctor can decide.
Hardly anyone escapes the annoyance of occasional aches and pains, especially as they age. But persistent joint pain and stiffness can be signs of arthritis, which affects more than 54.4 million American adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . By 2040, an estimated 78 million American adults are projected to have doctor-diagnosed arthritis.
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Cracking Or Popping Sounds
When you bend or straighten your knee, you may feel a grinding sensation or hear cracking or popping sounds. Doctors call this crepitus.
These symptoms can occur when youve lost some of the cartilage that helps with smooth range of motion. Both OA and RA can result in cartilage damage.
When cartilage is damaged, rough surfaces and bone spurs develop. As you move your joints, these rub against each other.
What Are The Warning Signs Of Arthritis
Pain from arthritis can be ongoing or can come and go. It may occur when you’re moving or after you have been still for some time. You may feel pain in one spot or in many parts of your body.
Your joints may feel stiff and be hard to move. You may find that it’s hard to do daily tasks you used to do easily, such as climbing stairs or opening a jar. Pain and stiffness may be more severe during certain times of the day or after you’ve done certain tasks.
Some types of arthritis cause swelling or inflammation. The skin over the joint may appear swollen and red and feel hot to the touch. Some types of arthritis can also cause fatigue.
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Get Some Professional Advice
While recognizing these symptoms raises suspicions, the best way to know is to check with a doctor. Doctors can perform a range of tests to check for the condition. These include physical checks, x-rays, and blood tests. From there, doctors may use knee arthroscopy to further asses and treat the disease.
The 5 Natural Ways To Relieve Arthritis Pain
Do you find your knee or hips hurting after sitting for too long? Has bending or squatting, become difficult or even painful? This is a common complaint of people with knee or hip osteoarthritis. Did you know that the Centers for Disease Control says that 1 out of every 2 people will have symptoms of knee osteoarthritis sometime before 85? Coast Physical Therapy can help.
The incidence of osteoarthritis generally starts to increase after age 35 and decreases ones ability to perform walking, bending and every day tasks.
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What Is Arthritis Pain
When your pain comes from a body joint like the knees, ankles or fingers, it is called arthritis pain. There are many types of arthritis , but the most common type is known as arthrosis. This is a degenerative disease of the joints that results in the cartilage wearing down. It normally develops as we grow older, and causes a pain that returns often.
If you suffer from arthrosis, you may find:
- that this pain appears following a period of inactivity
- a tenderness when you touch the joint
- joint stiffness
- discomfort during fluctuations in temperature.
Other types of arthritis, as with rheumatoid polyarthritis, also cause inflammation in addition to pain.
Why Do Joints Make Popping And Cracking Noises
Joints can make different noises–some are serious and some are not.
Some people learn how to “pop their knuckles.” By pushing or pulling a joint in a certain way an air bubble can suddenly appear in the joint with a “pop.” Once the bubble is there the joint cannot be popped again until the air has been reabsorbed.
Some joints crack as the ligaments and tendons that pass over them slide past bumps on the bones. Individuals who “crack their neck” make noise in this way.
Other joints lock up intermittently–often with a loud pop–because something gets caught in between the joint surfaces. A torn cartilage in the knee or a loose piece of bone or cartilage in the joint can do this. Once a joint is stuck in this way, it may need to be wiggled around to unlock it. This may also cause a pop.
Finally joints that are arthritic may crack and grind. These noises usually occur each time the joint is moved. This noise is due to the roughness of the joint surface due to loss of the smooth cartilage.
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