Symptoms Of Osteoarthritis In Knees

What Is The Knee Joint

Three bones come together to form your knee joint. They include the:

A smooth substance called cartilage covers the ends of each bone. Its a cushion between the bones that keeps them from rubbing together. The synovial membrane, a type of tissue that surrounds the joint, lubricates the cartilage.

Arthritis of the knee causes pain and swelling in the joint

How Do I Take Care Of Myself With Knee Osteoarthritis

It can be frustrating to cope with osteoarthritis of the knee symptoms that keep you from working or enjoying daily activities. Fortunately, there are several things you can do for your symptoms:

• Applying ice or heat reduces your knee pain, stiffness and swelling.
• Losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight takes stress off your knees.
• Enjoying activities such as swimming, biking or walking keeps your knee joint flexible.
• Using a knee brace or adding shock-absorbing inserts in your shoes can reduce pressure on your knees.
• Participating in self-management programs can help you feel more in control of your health.

What Are The Causes Of Knee Arthritis

Age and wear and tear over time are the two highest causes of knee arthritis. As people age, the ability of the cartilage to heal diminishes.

Other causes of knee arthritis include:

• Weight increased weight puts additional pressure on the knee joint
• Family genetics inherited irregularities in the shape and size of the knee bones as well as genetic mutations can increase a persons chances of developing knee arthritis
• Gender women over 55, have an increased likelihood of developing the disease than men
• Repetitive stress injuries on the job individuals whose work requires frequent kneeling, squatting, or heavy lifting are more prone to knee arthritis
• Athletic wear and tear long-term athletes who play soccer, tennis, or running may experience a higher probability of knee arthritis
• Other illnesses patients with rheumatoid arthritis and specific metabolic disorders including excess iron and growth hormone

Knee osteoarthritis is often accompanied by other illnesses that diminish ones quality of life including:

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How Does Osteoarthritis In The Knee Affect My Body

Knee pain is the most common symptom of osteoarthritis in the knee, making it painful for you to jog, run, climb stairs or kneel. It can also make your knees feel stiff or swollen. Over time, osteoarthritis of the knee can change the shape of your knee joint, making your joint feel unstable or wobbly.

What Are The Symptoms Of Osteoarthritis In The Knee

Pain is the most common symptom of osteoarthritis in the knee. Your knee might hurt when you move it, or even when you are just sitting still. Other symptoms are:

• Your knee feels stiff, particularly when you first get up or when youve been sitting for a long time.
• Your knee looks swollen or feels puffy.
• You hear a cracking or grinding noise when you move your knee.
• Your knee feels wobbly, as if it could buckle or give out.”
• Your knee might lock up, or feel as if it is stuck.

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How Common Is Osteoarthritis

Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis than men. Australian studies show that about 1 in 10 women report having the condition, compared with about 1 in 16 men.

Osteoarthritis can develop at any age, but it is more common in people aged over 40 years or in those who have previously injured a joint. One in 5 Australians over the age of 45, and one in 3 over 75 years have osteoarthritis.

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 irregular areas rub against each other.

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Causes And Risk Factors Of Osteoarthritis

At the ends of normal, healthy joints is cartilage a firm, rubbery material mostly made up of a matrix and two types of proteins .

Cartilage serves as a shock absorber that also allows bones to glide over each other when a joint bends or straightens. Thanks to its water content, cartilage can change shape to absorb impacts when it is compressed.

In people with osteoarthritis, the cartilage loses a lot of its water content and deteriorates, reducing its ability to absorb shocks.

Without this cartilage, the bones underneath can rub together, causing pain and inflammation at the joint. Cartilage can undergo some repair when damaged slowly, since it contains no blood vessels but the body does not produce new cartilage after injury.

Osteoarthritis Care At Uw Medicine

Choosing UW Medicine for osteoarthritis care means choosing a team who offers truly comprehensive care, including doctors who specialize in primary care, rheumatology, sports medicine, joint replacement surgery and obesity medicine.

The UW Medicine team also has connections to different physical therapy groups even if you need to travel a great distance to see a UW Medicine joint specialist, you can receive coordinated care in your area. Patients living with osteoarthritis often benefit from a combination of treatment options, including modifying activities and diet, physical therapy, medications, injections and sometimes surgery.

Seeking care at UW Medicine means getting access to physicians who are well-versed in many different treatment options. Many are involved in national research programs studying safer surgical interventions. These doctors also want to help you get back to your life as you knew it, with minimal pain. Whether you choose surgical or nonsurgical care, you can be confident that your care team is working with one goal in mind: to increase your quality of life.

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Osteoarthritis Of The Knees

Like hip OA, knee OA can occur in one or both knees. Age, genetics, and knee injury may all play a role in knee OA.

Athletes who concentrate solely on one sport that involves extensive, repetitive motion, such as running or tennis, may be at increased risk of OA. Likewise, if you pursue only one type of physical activity, this may overuse some muscles and underuse others.

Overuse causes weakness and instability in the knee joint. Varying your activities helps to work different muscle groups, allowing all the muscles around your knee to be strengthened.

How Is Oa Treated

There is no cure for OA, so doctors usually treat OA symptoms with a combination of therapies, which may include the following:

• Increasing physical activity
• Medications, including over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription drugs
• Supportive devices such as crutches or canes

In addition to these treatments, people can gain confidence in managing their OA with self-management strategies. These strategies help reduce pain and disability so people with osteoarthritis can pursue the activities that are important to them. These five simple and effective arthritis management strategies can help.

Physical Activity for Arthritis

Some people are concerned that physical activity will make their arthritis worse, but joint-friendly physical activity can actually improve arthritis pain, function, and quality of life.

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How Can I Find Relief From My Knee Pain In Atlanta Ga

If you are interested in getting to the root of your knee pain, finding relief, and enjoying your life to the fullest again, the first step is to be evaluated by a qualified, experienced, and skilled professional. Call Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta to schedule your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Christopher Williams today, and discover how the solution for living a more comfortable life may be closer than your think!

What Are Signs And Symptoms Of Knee Arthritis

A knee joint affected by arthritis may be swollen and painful. The discomfort can be felt anywhere around the knee and evolves gradually over time. Patients often present to the doctors office with years of pain either on the inside or the outside of the knee, or simply global knee pain that has progressed for years.

Other signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee may include:

• Inflammation in the joint that interferes with bending and straightening the knee
• Discomfort that worsens in the morning, or after resting
• Flare-ups after robust activity
• Locking of the knee as it moves loose fragments of cartilage can cause clicking, snapping, or grinding noises
• A general feeling of weakness or collapsing in the knee
• Many patients observe increased discomfort during damp or rainy weather

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How To Treat Arthritis In The Knees

This article was medically reviewed by Troy A. Miles, MD. Dr. Miles is an Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in Adult Joint Reconstruction in California. He received his MD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2010, followed by a residency at the Oregon Health & Science University and fellowship at the University of California, Davis. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Association of Orthopaedic Surgery, and the North Pacific Orthopaedic Society.There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 58,611 times.

Research suggests that treatment may slow down arthritis and relieve your symptoms, though theres no cure for it.XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source Arthritis occurs when your joint becomes inflamed, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage in your joint wears away, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where your body attacks your joints. Experts say arthritis in the knee is very common because its a weight-bearing joint, but you can get arthritis in any joint.XResearch source Although arthritis may interfere with your life, you may be able to manage your condition.

Reducing The Strain On Your Knees

Apart from keeping an eye on your weight, there are a number of other ways you can reduce the strain on your knees.

• Pace your activities dont tackle all your physical jobs at once. Break the harder jobs up into chunks and do something gentler in between. Keep using your knee even if its slightly uncomfortable, but rest it before it becomes too painful.
• Wear shoes with thick soles and enough room for your toes. Wearing the right shoes can reduce the shock through your knees as you walk and prevent any changes to your feet.
• If you need extra support for your feet or knees when you walk, speak to your physiotherapist, occupational therapist or doctor about getting insoles made for your shoes.
• Use a walking stick if needed to reduce the weight and stress on a painful knee. An occupational therapist can advise on the correct length and the best way to use the stick.
• Use a handrail for support when going up or down stairs. Go upstairs one at a time with your good leg first.
• Think about making changes to your home, car or workplace to reduce unnecessary strain. An occupational therapist can advise you on special equipment that will make things you do every day easier.

Using a heat pack or something similar on a painful knee might help to relieve the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis. An ice pack can also help but be careful not to put ice or heat packs or hot water bottles directly on your skin wrap them with a tea towel or cover.

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What Questions Might A Healthcare Provider Ask To Diagnose Arthritis Of The Knee

Your healthcare provider will interview you when you report your symptoms. Some questions might include:

• Does anyone in your family have arthritis of the knee?
• Does your knee swell up?
• Is your skin often red?
• Is your skin often warm?
• Do you have symptoms in one knee or both?
• How long have you had these symptoms?
• What medications do you take?
• How severe is your pain?
• Do you struggle to walk?
• Do the symptoms interfere with your daily activities?

What Are The Symptoms Of Osteoarthritis

The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are:

• joint pain and stiffness
• grating sensations when moving a joint
• less joint flexibility than before

You may only notice symptoms in your joints after doing an activity such as walking, climbing stairs or opening a jar. Some people have mild symptoms, while others may experience more severe, ongoing symptoms.

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Osteoarthritis Of The Knee

Knee OA is a very common source of pain that can limit your mobility.

Causes of Knee OA

The cause of OA is unknown. These risk factors make it more likely you will develop knee OA:

• Age: OA can occur at any time of life, but it is most common in older adults.
• Sex: Women are more likely to have knee OA than men.
• Obesity: Being overweight adds stress to your knees. Fat cells also make proteins that can cause inflammation in and around your joints.
• Injuries: Any knee injury, even old ones, can lead to knee OA.
• Repeated stress: Frequent stress on your knee from your job or playing sports can increase risk for OA.
• Genetics: You can inherit a tendency to develop OA.
• Bone deformities: If you have crooked bones or joints, you are at higher risk.
• Some metabolic diseases: Diabetes and hemochromatosis, a condition in which your blood has too much iron, have been linked to OA

Symptoms of knee OA develop slowly and worsen over time.

• Pain: Movement causes pain. Sometimes your knee will ache while sitting still.
• Stiffness: Your knees may be stiff first thing in the morning or after sitting for a long time.
• Loss of motion: Over time, you may lose the ability to bend and straighten your knee all the way.
• Creaking and grating : You may hear crackling noises or feel a grating sensation.
• Instability: Your knee may give out or buckle, or feel like it could.
• Locking: The knee may lock or stick.
• Swelling: Your knee may get puffy all around or on one side.

Your doctor will check for:

Treatment Options For Osteoarthritis

Once the severity of the condition has been accurately analyzed, the doctor will be able to recommend a suitable course of treatment. This will be undertaken with consideration given to the patients unique situation as everyone will have their own indicators and limitations regarding treatment.

It must be remembered that knee pain and other associated symptoms differ significantly from case to case. As such, patients who begin to suspect knee osteoarthritis should see a doctor in order to ensure screening and diagnosis takes place at the outset, which will enable appropriate subsequent treatment. However, if patients can take good care of their health, meaning they regulate their body weight, exercise regularly to strengthen the leg muscles, and avoid activities that place the knees under excess strain, they will be able to effectively reduce the likelihood of knee pain while also extending the lifespan of these crucial joints.

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Does Osteoarthritis Of The Knee Cause Bone Pain

Osteoarthritis of the knee causes your leg bones to rub together, which can lead to painful bone spurs.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Osteoarthritis of the knee develops over time. You might not notice the twinge or ache that could be the first sign of knee osteoarthritis. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have knee pain thats getting worse. Your provider can help you treat your symptoms and keep you moving. Early treatment can ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee and slow its progress.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/08/2021.

References

The Pain Gets Worse Over Time

Unlike immediate knee soreness you might get if you injure the joint, arthritis pain typically comes on gradually, says Dr. Colvin. At first, you might only feel it first thing in the morning, or after you get up from sitting at your desk for a few hours. Over time, the ache may become more frequent. You might notice it when youre climbing stairs or if you kneel for too long. Some people even find the pain wakes them up at night, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

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Osteoarthritis Vs Rheumatoid Arthritis: What Is The Difference

Several different types of arthritis exist. Aside from osteoarthritis, other common types include rheumatoid arthritis , gout, and lupus.

Osteoarthritis and RA affect the body differently.

In osteoarthritis, which is most often a mechanical disease, the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in a joint is damaged by multiple different causes.

But in RA, the joint lining becomes inflamed and eventually erodes the joint.

This disease is considered an autoimmune condition because the immune system mistakes joint linings for foreign objects and attacks them, resulting in inflammation.

Additionally, unlike osteoarthritis, RA develops because of a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as viruses, bacteria, and severely stressful events.