Knee Arthritis – Symptoms and Treatment
Knee arthritis is common in older people, and it is as much as anything a mechanical wearing out. We are reasonably sure that exercise early in life is not particularly related to knee arthritis, but being overweight may be, because of the extra load excess weight puts on the knee joint, and there is some evidence, from the Framingham study, for instance, that weight loss should reduce arthritic knee symptoms. Until now what has been lacking is a good randomised trial of the effects of weight reduction on patients with knee arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of knee arthritis. Also called wear-and-tear arthritis or degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive wearing away of the cartilage of the joint. As the protective cartilage is worn away by knee arthritis, bare bone is exposed within the joint.
Someone who has arthritis in the knee may experience pain, swelling, and a decrease in knee motion. A common symptom is morning stiffness that lessens as the person moves around. Sometimes the joint locks or clicks when the knee is bent and straightened, but these signs may occur in other knee disorders as well. The doctor may confirm the diagnosis by performing a physical examination and examining x rays, which typically show a loss of joint space.
Symptoms
Popping
Popping and snapping within the knee is quite common, and often not a symptom of any particular problem. When the pops or snaps are painless, there is usually no problem–the bigger concern is when these sounds are associated with pain. A pop is often heard or felt when a ligament, such as the ACL, is torn.
Treating Knee Arthritis without Surgery
Weight loss will probably decrease your pain if you are greatly overweight. But weight reduction alone is unlikely to completely relieve the pain. Obesity also makes the knee operation more difficult, and complications occur more frequently in overweight people. Dr. Huddleston realizes that it can be very difficult to lose weight when you are not very active because of your knee pain. Do the best you can!
Physical Therapy
Strengthening of the muscles around the knee joint may help decrease the burden on the knee. Preventing atrophy of the muscles is an important part of maintaining functional use of the knee.
Real acupuncture came out on top in the first survey. Patients getting real acupuncture had bigger improvements in knee pain and function than the other two groups. Those receiving real acupuncture treatment reported significantly lower scores on pain and disability compared with participants in the other groups.
Exercise Program –A specific exercise program can help to maintain healthy cartilage and range of motion of the joint. In addition, keeping the attaching muscles and tendons conditioned and strong will aid in the joint’s stability.
