What is Knee Osteoarthritis?
Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition where the cartilage which acts as a cushioning and shock absorber within the joint is progressively lost and wears away. When this happens, the bones of the joints experience irritation and inflammation. The body also may try to repair the damage by forming small bony spurs around the joint. This results in pain, swelling and stiffness.
What Causes Knee Osteoarthritis?
The exact cause of knee osteoarthritis is not fully understood, but several factors contribute to its development. These include:
Age: OA becomes more common as people age, typically affecting those over 50.
Injury or trauma: Previous knee injuries, such as ligament tears or fractures, can increase the risk of developing OA later in life.
Obesity: Excess weight places additional stress on the knees, leading to cartilage wear and tear.
Genetics: Some people may inherit a predisposition to OA, making them more likely to develop it.
Joint misalignment: Conditions like bow legs or knock knees can place uneven pressure on the knee joint, leading to OA over time.
Symptoms of knee Osteoarthritis:
Common symptoms of knee osteoarthritis include:
Pain: Often worsens with activity and improves with rest. It can also become more noticeable after prolonged standing or walking.
Stiffness: Especially after periods of inactivity, such as in the morning or after sitting for a long time.
Swelling: Inflammation in the joint can cause visible swelling and a feeling of warmth.
Limited range of motion: You may find it harder to fully bend or straighten your knee.
Crepitus: A grinding or cracking sound may be heard when moving the knee.
How is Knee Osteoarthritis diagnosed?
Knee osteoarthritis is diagnosed through a combination of your medical history, a thorough physical exam, and imaging tests usually X-rays.
Treatment and Management of Knee Osteoarthritis
While there is no cure for knee osteoarthritis, there are many ways to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Lifestyle Modifications:
Exercise: Low-impact activities like swimming or cycling can improve joint flexibility and strength without causing further damage.
Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce stress on the knee joint.
Medications:
Pain relievers: Over-the-counter medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help manage pain and inflammation.
Supplements: some people find glucosamine and chondroitin help relieve symptoms however there is no high quality evidence to support this.
Chiropractic care :
A Chiropractor can teach exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee, which is the most effect treatment for knee OA. Joint pain may increase when therapeutic exercise is started, but regular and consistent exercise will be beneficial for joints, and long-term adherence to an exercise plan should reduce pain and increase daily functioning and quality of life.
A Chiropractor can also provide manual therapy techniques to improve mobility and reduce pain and inflammation within the joint. They may also recommend knee bracing or alternative footwear.
Injections:
Corticosteroid injections can reduce inflammation and provide temporary pain relief if other drug treatments are ineffective or unsuitable or to support therapeutic exercise
Surgery:
Referral to orthopaedic surgeon is usually recommended if non-surgical management is unsuitable or ineffective after 3 months or if there is diagnostic uncertainty, atypical features, or a sudden worsening of symptoms.
Knee Arthroscopy is keyhole surgery in which the knee joint is flushed to remove fluid and loose bodies (lavage), or broken-down bone and cartilage (debridement). It is only appropriate for those with a history of mechanical locking or X-ray evidence of loose bodies.
Knee Replacement Surgery is where the joint is fully or partially replaced with an artificial joint. Rehabilitation before and after a joint replacement operation can greatly affect surgical outcomes.
Further Information Sources:
Versus Arthritis (website available at www.versusarthritis.org), a national charity which provides information and support for people with arthritis, including information on various aspects of living with Osteoarthritis.
The NHS/Versus Arthritis decision support tool Making a decision about knee arthritis.
The NHS information leaflet Osteoarthritis.
The patient.info (website www.patient.info) patient information leaflet Osteoarthritis.
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