What Can Cause Arthritis In The Knee

How To Ease The Pain Now

When your knee starts aching, experts suggest the following steps:

Apply ice or heat. Both can reduce pain ice can also cut swelling, and heat can ease stiffness. For icing, place a towel or cloth on your skin, then top with a small bag of ice at least once a day for 20 minutes, recommends physical therapist Erica Fritz, P.T., D.P.T., manager of the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Center at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

If your knee feels stiff but isnt swollen, apply a heating pad to the area for 20 minutes twice a day. Place a protective layer, such as a towel, between the heat source and your skin.

Get some low-impact activity. You may not feel much like being active when your knees hurt, but the evidence suggests that it can help. A 2015 review by the independent Cochrane Collaboration found that the short-term pain relief conferred by exercise is comparable to that achieved with use of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug .

Walking and cycling are good choices. But if land-based exercise is too painful, try an aquatic workout.The buoyancy of water is gentle on joints and may make it easier to work out. Aquatic exercise also provides a small but measurable decrease in pain and disability in people with knee and/or hip OA, according to another Cochrane review, published in 2016.

Ask about physical therapy. If pain and swelling make it very challenging to be active or youre unsure which exercises are best for you, see a physical therapist.

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:

Risk Factors For Knee Arthritis

• Age. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative, wear and tear condition. The older you are, the more likely you are to have worn-down knee joint cartilage.
• Heredity. Slight joint defects or double-jointedness and genetic defects may contribute to osteoarthritis in the knee.
• Excess weight. Being overweight or obese puts additional stress on the knees over time.
• Injury. Severe injury or repeated injury to the knee can lead to osteoarthritis years later.
• Overuse. Jobs and sports that require physically repetitive motions that place stress on the knee can increase risk for developing osteoarthritis.
• Gender. Postmenopausal women are more likely to have osteoarthritis than men.
• Autoimmune triggers. While the cause of rheumatoid arthritis remains unknown, triggers of autoimmune diseases are still an area of active investigation.
• Developmental abnormalities. Deformities such as knock knee and bowleg place higher than normal stress on certain parts of the knee joint and can wear away cartilage in those areas.
• Other health conditions. People with diabetes, high cholesterol, hemochromatosis and vitamin D deficiency are more likely to have osteoarthritis.

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What Is Osteoarthritis Of The Knee

Osteoarthritis of the knee happens when the cartilage in your knee joint breaks down, enabling the bones to rub together. The friction makes your knees hurt, become stiff and sometimes swell. While osteoarthritis in the knee cant be cured, there are many treatments to slow its progress and ease your symptoms. Surgery is an option for more severe forms of osteoarthritis.

What Are The Types Of Knee Osteotomy

The two main types of osteotomy are opening wedge and closing wedge.

During a closing wedge osteotomy knee surgery, the surgeon cuts a wedge of bone from the leg and brings the sides of the opening together to close the space.

In some cases, the surgeon opens up a section of bone, rather than closing the bone. This procedure is called an opening wedge osteotomy. Sometimes a graft is used to hold the space between the ends of the osteotomy gap.

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Symptoms Of Rheumatoid Arthritis Of The Knee

Knee rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include:

• Crepitus
• Knee discomfort, pain or tenderness that worsens when exercising, standing or walking
• Reduced range of movement
• Stiffness that is worse in the mornings and during cold weather your knee joint may also become locked ie when you cant fully bend or straighten your knee joint
• Warmth in and around your knee
• Weakness in your knees when you bear weight on them

In addition to symptoms that specifically affect your knee, you may also notice other symptoms including:

• A dry mouth

• Warmth in and around your knee
• Weakness in your knees ie feeling that your knees will buckle

What Is Arthritis In The Legs

The term arthritis refers to redness and swelling of the joints characterized by joint pain and stiffness. A joint is the area where two bones meet. The two bones at the site of the joint are separated by a cushioning tissue called the cartilage that protects the joint and facilitates proper movement. The joint space is lined by the synovial membrane that secretes a fluid called synovial fluid. Synovial fluid lubricates and protects the joints to allow for adequate movement. Arthritis may result when any of the joint structures are damaged. Leg arthritis affects the joints of the hips, knees, ankles or feet. There are over 100 types of arthritis. The most common types of arthritis affecting the legs are

• Osteoarthritis: This is the most common type of arthritis. It occurs due to wear and tear of the joint cartilage that happens with increasing age.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: In this type of arthritis, the bodys immune system attacks and damages the joints.
• Gout: This occurs due to excessive deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints, which causes joint inflammation.
• : This refers to arthritis that occurs as a result of joint infection.
• Post-traumatic arthritis: This type of arthritis results because of injury or after a surgery or other invasive procedure on the joint.
• Psoriatic arthritis: People who suffer from a long-term skin condition, psoriasis, may develop psoriatic arthritis along with the skin manifestations such as plaques.

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What Symptoms Look And Feel Like And What To Do If You Cant Shake The Ache

by Michelle Crouch, AARP, February 18, 2020| 0

En español | Its not unusual to experience pain in your joints on occasion, especially if youre active and participate in high-impact activities such as running. That unwanted ouch can be caused by injured muscles, tendons and ligaments around the joint, by tendonitis or by a sprain or a strain.

But if you start experiencing aching, pain and stiffness on a routine basis and particularly if the pain is right at the joint you may be developing arthritis, says rheumatologist Uzma Haque, codirector of clinical operations at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center in Baltimore.

The cardinal feature of arthritis is a swollen joint, Haque says. However, pain, discomfort and stiffness can be early signs.

Haque recommends paying attention to what triggers your symptoms: If you walk a block and consistently have aching in your right knee, but it improves when you sit down, thats when you should think, Do I need a medical evaluation?

And yes, you might need to book that appointment even if youre well under 50. Arthritis doesnt only affect older people. Although your risk increases as you age, more than half of arthritis patients are younger than 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Its a leading cause of disability in the U.S., affecting around 54 million people.

How Is Osteoarthritis Managed

There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but most people with osteoarthritis can manage their symptoms, continue with daily activities and live healthy and enjoyable lives. Be careful of any products or treatments that claim to cure osteoarthritis completely your doctor will help to find the right treatment for you.

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has developed a guide to help you discuss the main treatment options for osteoarthritis of the knee with your doctor.

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Training Tips For Knee Pain Prevention

• 5 min read

Knee pain is often associated with cycling. Due to this misconception, many people miss out on the joy of cycling and its wonderful benefits. But wait! There is a catch! It is not the riding that causes agony instead, it is the form or way of doing it that is to blame.

One can not express in words how light, energetic, and good it feels after you finish your daily fitness goal. To deal with the worry of knee pain, lets get into its details and develop practical solutions.

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What Causes Osteoarthritis In The Knee

Written By Mich Torres on March 21, 2022 Medically Reviewed By Kristopher Ceniza

Knee wear and tear affects more than 25% of people over 18 years old, making it the most common type of degenerative joint disease. But, what causes osteoarthritis in the knee in the first place?

Well, two things can cause this plain ol aging, or a previous condition that accelerates the cartilage loss. The latter could be a knee injury, a medical condition, and/or the presence of risk factors.

Identifying the cause of knee OA will help you get the right treatment. So, this article will teach you just that the common causes of this condition and how to treat it.

Here are the topics well cover tap on any of them to go straight to that section:

• Treatment for knee osteoarthritis symptoms

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Myth: Hamstring Tightness At The Back Of The Knee Is Not Hamstring Tightness

When stretching your hamstrings, where do you usually feel it? Is it mid-thigh or behind the knee?

Interestingly, if you ever feel tightness or pulling at the back of the knee, its not actually the hamstring thats tight. Its your Sciatic Nerve.

This is important information as many stretch their hamstrings in the hope of improving muscular flexibility to aid better leg function and performance. However, passively holding a hamstring stretch will not improve your mobility if the Sciatic nerve is causing a restriction at the back of the knee. In fact, it may contribute to an increased risk of hamstring injury if not addressed.

So it pays to understand what structure is restricting your ability to move, and what you can do to rectify it.

What Are The Risks Of Platelet

As with any type of injection, there are small risks of bleeding, pain and infection. When the platelets are from the patient who will be using them, the product is not expected to create allergies or have risks of cross infection. One of the main limitations with PRP products is that every preparation in every patient can be different. No two preparations are the same. Understanding the composition of these therapies required measuring numerous complex and different factors. This variation limits our understanding of when and how these therapies may succeed and fail, and the matter of current research endeavors.

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What Can I Expect During The Procedure

Blood is removed from the arm using a needle into the vein. Then the blood is processed in a centrifuge, equipment that separates blood components into different parts according to their density. The platelets are separated into blood serum , while some of the white and red blood cells may be removed. Therefore, by spinning the blood, the equipment concentrates the platelets and produces what is called platelet-rich plasma .

However, depending on the protocol used to prepare PRP, there are multiple different products that can result from putting blood into the centrifuge. Therefore, different PRP preparations have different number on platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells. For example, a product called platelet-poor plasma can be formed when most of the platelets are removed from the serum. The serum that is left contains cytokines, proteins and growth factors. Cytokines are emitted by immune system cells.

If the platelet cell membranes have been lysed, or destroyed, a product called platelet lysate , or human platelet lysate can be formed. PL often is made by freezing and thawing the plasma. PL has a higher number of some growth factors and cytokines than PPP.

Your Occupation Or Hobbies

Certain occupations or hobbies can increase the risk to develop knee OA, such as :

• Farmworkers.
• Craft and trades workers mechanics, carpenters, builders, plumbers
• Elementary manual workers selling goods from door to door, cleaners, garbage collectors

All these occupations require considerable physical effort for a long period, leading to overuse.

This risk factor is really hard to modify. So, its key to manage the other risks in this list to the best of your ability. That way, you can reduce your likelihood of having knee osteoarthritis.

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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.

Rheumatoid Arthritis And Walking

Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis , a systemic form of the disease in which symptoms wax and wane intermittently, should also be mindful of when they walk. If you are experiencing a flare-up, it is important to allow your joints to rest and recover. Because of this, starting a walking program during a flare-up is not recommended. Once the inflammation and soreness have subsided, however, it is usually safe to start exercising.

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When To Contact A Doctor

Although it is not always necessary to contact a doctor during an osteoarthritis flare-up, symptoms that persist for more than a few days may need medical treatment.

The doctor may request imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRI scans, to check for changes to joints and other damage. They will likely recommend medications to treat pain.

If necessary, the doctor may suggest additional treatments to address triggers, such as CBT for stress.

Osteoarthritis flare-ups are not always preventable, but some strategies can help minimize risk.

For example, people with osteoarthritis may find the following tips helpful:

• Maintain a moderate weight by making healthy dietary choices and getting plenty of exercise.
• Reduce stress through meditation, mindfulness, and deep breathing exercises.
• Take measures to get enough sleep.
• Engage in regular exercise to strengthen the bones, lubricate the joints, and increase muscle mass.
• Wear supportive braces to help protect and stabilize the joints.
• Use assistive devices to reduce stress on the joints.

Some foods and beverages that may help prevent inflammation include:

• fresh fruits and vegetables, as they are good sources of antioxidants

Do Certain Types Of Weather Make Arthritis Worse

Some people find that arthritis feels worse during certain types of weather. Humidity and cold are two common triggers of joint pain.

There are a variety of reasons why this might happen. People tend to be less active in rainy seasons and the wintertime. The cold and damp can also stiffen joints and aggravate arthritis. Other theories suggest that barometric pressure, or the pressure of the air around us, may have some effect on arthritis.

If you find that certain types of weather make your arthritis worse, talk to your healthcare provider about ways to manage your symptoms. Dressing warmly, exercising inside or using heat therapy may help relieve your pain.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Arthritis is a disease that affects the joints. There are many types of arthritis, all of which can cause pain and reduce mobility. Some forms of arthritis result from natural wear and tear. Other types come from autoimmune diseases or inflammatory conditions. There are a variety of treatments for arthritis, ranging from physical or occupational therapy to joint surgery. Your healthcare provider will assess your symptoms and recommend the right treatment plan for your needs. Most people can successfully manage arthritis and still do the activities they care about.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/15/2021.

References

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