Growing older doesn’t always mean your body wears out. But, sometimes it’s unavoidable. Such is the case with osteoarthritis of the knee. Approximately 50% of people will experience osteoarthritis symptoms during their lifetime.
What Is Knee Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis occurs when the padding within the knee, the cartilage, wears down. This leads to inflammation, which in turn causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. It is common in other joints as well, such as the hips and ankles, as well as in the back and neck.
In the knee, people might experience a “popping” or “cracking” sensation. As the knee is bent, the kneecap goes up and down a groove on the end of the thigh bone. When we’re 20, it’s a nice, smooth cushion, like an ice luge. As we age, some of the cartilage starts to wear down. So, when the knee is bent, the kneecap can sound like it’s going up and down a cobblestone street.
Though they both have a genetic component, osteoarthritis differs from rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the lining of the joint. Osteoarthritis carries a genetic predisposition, but is generally a result of wear and tear.
Are Both Knees Affected?
Having osteoarthritis in one knee doesn’t mean an individual will definitely develop it in the other. That can happen, of course. But, sometimes osteoarthritis stems from something like a youth sports injury. That person would more likely experience osteoarthritis just in the affected knee.
The important thing to keep in mind is that osteoarthritis arises from inflammation. So, anything people can do to stave off inflammation will help with symptoms.
How Is Knee Osteoarthritis Treated?
Many times, people can find relief with an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory. Icing and using a soft brace for support may also help, alongside modifying one’s activities. If those options fail to ease discomfort, a visit to an orthopedic specialist may be in order. This joint expert will likely recommend an x-ray to get a better idea of what’s going on. Then, they may suggest something like physical therapy, a steroid, or a “gel” injection.
The last resort is surgery. While it is more invasive and requires recovery, it may be the answer people are looking for. Surgery usually consists of arthroplasty, also known as joint replacement, whether partial or total. This consists of resurfacing the articulating surfaces of the knee with metal and plastic, so the surfaces glide smoothly without pain again instead of grinding bone-on-bone. A total knee replacement takes about an hour and a half to complete and is followed by an approximately 3-month recovery with a significant amount of physical therapy.
Can You Prevent Osteoarthritis?
In some cases, osteoarthritis has a genetic component. That doesn’t mean people have to accept its inevitability. Maintaining a healthy weight prevents extra pressure. Research shows that every pound lost relieves four to five pounds of pressure off the knees.
Avoiding high-impact activities also helps. Good exercise options for people with osteoarthritis include low-impact exercises like swimming, biking, and elliptical machines. They strengthen the muscles around the knee and provide support without causing a lot of wear and tear.
Listen to a Podcast
Knee Osteoarthritis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Do your knees go “snap, crackle and pop?” Could that be osteoarthritis? In this podcast, Dr. Kevin McCoy, an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with UM Shore Regional Health, discusses what osteoarthritis is, when to seek help, how to prevent it and more. Download it or listen below.
More to Read
- Osteoarthritis: 5 Foods to Eat and 5 to Avoid to Help Control your Symptoms
- Osteoarthritis: Finding the Best Treatment Option for You
- Arthroscopy and Arthroplasty: Providing Relief from Joint Pain
- When Pain After Knee Surgery Isn’t Normal
Medically reviewed by Kevin McCoy, MD.
