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Knee

Normally, all of the parts of the knee joint work together and the joints move easily and without pain. Disease, arthritis, or injury can disturb the normal functioning of the knee joint resulting in knee pain, muscle weakness, and limited movement. Longer life expectancies and greater activity levels lead to joint replacements being performed in greater numbers of patients.

My knee MRI - damage of cross-shaped ligaments

How does the knee work?

The knee joint functions like a hinge at the junction of two bones, the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin). The ends of the bones are covered with a thick cushion of hard, white cartilage. You are given only one coating of this cartilage in your lifetime. Knee cartilage damage or worn cartilage causes the underlying bones to rub together producing knee pain and inflammation typical of knee arthritis.

Knee Pain

Arthritis is the breakdown of the cartilage of a joint, which can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, instability and often deformity. Severe arthritis interferes with a person’s activities and limits his or her lifestyle. Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease – This is the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is also known as “wear and tear arthritis,” since the cartilage simply wears out. When cartilage wears away, bone rubs on bone causing severe pain and disability. Inflammatory Arthritis – This arthritis presents as swelling and heat (inflammation) of the joint lining, which causes a release of enzymes that soften and eventually destroy the cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout and psoriatic arthritis are inflammatory in nature.

Parkinsons Disorder

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose arthritis by taking a medical history, performing a physical exam and reviewing x-rays of the knee. Sometimes, additional blood tests are added to this to diagnose inflammatory arthritis. It is typically unnecessary to get an MRI to diagnose arthritis, since x-rays almost always reveal the presence and extent of the problem .

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Symptoms

Symptoms Pain is the most frequent symptom for patients with knee osteoarthritis. The pain from knee arthritis is usually described as being in the front or sides of the knee. The pain is frequently worsened with activity and relieved by rest. It may occur at night and, in severe cases, prevent sleep. Patients with knee […]

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Hands holding a stethoscope and word

Causes and Risk Factors

The most frequent reason for osteoarthritis is genetic, since the durability of each individual’s cartilage is based on genetics. If your parents have arthritis, you may also get it. Trauma can also lead to osteoarthritis. A bad fall or blow to the knee at any point in your life can injure the joint. If the […]

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How Do I Know If Joint Replacement Is Right For Me?

When joint pain is severe and interferes with daily activities, work and sleep, joint replacement may be an option. The decision to replace your knee is made by you and your orthopedic surgeon mainly based on the degree to which the pain is affecting your life.

Knee pain and the stiffness of joint degeneration may be worse during certain times of the day, or after certain activities such as:

Doctor checking patients joint flexibility
  • Walking
  • Bending
  • Going up and down stairs
  • Kneeling or squatting
  • Getting in and out of a chair
  • Getting in and out of a car

Dressing (e.g. putting socks and shoes on) Joint degeneration can eventually make it extremely difficult for individuals to work and enjoy themselves. It can also make it difficult for individuals to care for themselves.

Treatment

There are many alternatives for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip. The proposed treatments will depend on the intensity of the pain you feel and the severity of the osteoarthritis.

1. Non-surgical
a. Diet and exercise – Weight reduction can reduce pressure across the knees, which results in less pain.
b. Medication – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help relieve inflammation inside the joint. There are non-prescription and prescription medications that can help relieve pain.
c. Injections – Injections with corticosteroids can reduce inflammation in the joint. Other injections, such as viscosupplementation, may help lubricate the joint. However, these injections are often performed over a series of 3-5 injections and need insurance clearance. Injections are most effective in early stages of arthritis.

2. Surgical
a. Arthroscopic surgery – Arthroscopy is rarely helpful in a patient with knee arthritis. However, if a patient with mild-to-moderate knee arthritis develops acute sharp stabbing knee pain and has mechanical symptoms (locking and catching) due to a torn meniscus, cleaning up the knee using arthroscopic tools may occasionally be helpful. However, arthroscopy can also lead to increased swelling and pain in a patient with knee arthritis and may not be recommended by your surgeon depending on the extent of your arthritis.
b. Total or partial knee replacement.
If non-surgical treatments fail, a partial or total knee replacement may be the best way to replace the damaged cartilage with metal and plastic.