Arthritis of the knee is caused by inflammation and damage to one or more of the compartments within the knee joint. Arthritis can be divided into several types, depending on the cause; Osteoarthritis is caused by progressive wear and tear of the cartilage that covers the ends of each bone, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the lining of the joints. Other types of arthritis can result from infection, disease (eg systemic lupus erythematosus), or accumulation of uric acid crystals. If you want to know if you have knee arthritis, learn how to recognize the common signs and symptoms associated with the condition.
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Method 1 of 3: Knowing If Your Knee Has Arthritis
Step 1. Assess your risk factors
Depending on the type of arthritis, there are several factors that may make the knee prone to arthritis. While some factors cannot be changed, others can be changed to reduce the risk of developing knee arthritis.
- Gene. Your genetic background can predispose you to certain types of arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus). If anyone in your family has had arthritis, you are more likely to be prone to knee arthritis.
- Gender. Men tend to be more prone to gout, an inflammatory form of arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood, while women are more prone to rheumatoid arthritis.
- Age. You are more susceptible to arthritis as you age.
- Obesity. Excess weight puts a strain on the joints in the knee and increases the risk of developing arthritis.
- History of joint injury. Damage to the knee joint can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis.
- Infection. Microbial agents can infect joints and possibly cause aggravation of various types of arthritis.
- Work. Certain jobs may require a person to bend the knee repeatedly and/or squat, increasing the risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee.
- If you have one or more risk factors for arthritis, talk to your doctor about what precautions to take (or see the prevention section below).
Step 2. Recognize the symptoms of knee arthritis
The most common symptoms of knee arthritis are joint pain and stiffness in the knee. However, depending on the type of arthritis (eg, rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis) you may also experience a variety of other symptoms. To recognize the signs of arthritis, note if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Pain that gets worse with activity.
- Decreased or limited body movement.
- Knee stiffness.
- Swelling and sensitivity of the knee joint to pain,
- Joint sensation as if loose.
- Fatigue and malaise (often associated during relapses of rheumatoid arthritis).
- Fever and mild chills (often associated during periods of relapsing rheumatoid arthritis).
- Joint deformity (crossed legs or O-legs) is usually an advanced symptom of untreated arthritis.
Step 3. Continue to monitor your pain
Not all the pain suffered comes from arthritis. Arthritis pain is usually felt inside the knee and in some cases in front or behind the knee.
- Activities that put a strain on the knee joint, such as walking long distances, climbing stairs, or standing for long periods of time, can make arthritis pain worse.
- In severe cases of knee arthritis, pain may occur when sitting or lying down.
Step 4. Evaluate the range and stiffness of your movement
In addition to pain, arthritis also reduces your knee's range of motion. Over time and the gliding joint surface decreases, you will feel stiffness and limitation of motion in your knee.
Because the cartilage on one side of your knee wears out, the knee can develop an X leg or an O leg
Step 5. Watch for swelling or flaking
Swelling is another symptom of inflammation (alongside pain, warmth, and redness) and is a common symptom of knee arthritis. In addition, people with knee arthritis may feel or hear a creaking or clicking sound within the knee joint.
Step 6. Watch for any changes or worsening of symptoms
Arthritis symptoms can occur gradually and often increase as the knee condition worsens. Learn how to recognize the pattern of arthritis symptoms so you can differentiate it from other knee pain.
People with rheumatoid arthritis often experience a worsening of the condition called relapse. During this period, your symptoms worsen, peak, and then gradually decrease
Step 7. Seek medical recommendations
If you experience one or more of the above symptoms, consult your doctor to determine the origin of your knee pain.
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Your doctor will check for swelling, redness, and warmth in your knee, and will measure your range of motion. If your doctor suspects that you have arthritis, the following diagnoses will be made to confirm your condition:
- Laboratory tests to analyze signs of arthritis in your blood, urine, and/or joint fluid. Joint fluid is taken by aspiration by inserting a needle into your joint space.
- Ultrasound to show the condition of the soft tissue, cartilage, and fluid-filled structures in your knee. Ultrasound can also be used to guide needle placement during joint aspiration.
- X-rays to show cartilage wear and bone damage and/or spurs.
- Computerized tomography (computerized tomography or CT) to display the bones inside your knee. CT scans are taken from different angles of the knee and then combined to show the internal structure of your knee.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to produce a more accurate view of the knee through the soft tissues surrounding the knee, such as the cartilage, tendons, and ligaments of your knee.
Method 2 of 3: Preventing Knee Arthritis
Step 1. Lose weight
One of the most important arthritis treatments is weight loss. Losing weight will reduce the burden and damage on the knee, thereby lowering the risk of osteoarthritis.
Step 2. Change your activity habits
Limit activities that may be required and learn new exercise methods that can help reduce and prevent knee damage from arthritis.
- Water sports are very appropriate for people with knee disorders.
- Use a cane or crutches in the hand opposite the affected knee to reduce the load on the joint.
Step 3. Take joint supplements
Many joint supplements contain certain molecules that are only produced in the body, such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, and are essential for the health of knee joint cartilage.
- While joint supplements can control pain, it's clear that your cartilage isn't being regenerated. Some studies show that this supplement is just a placebo pill, but the risks are minimal (besides the high price) that most orthopedists recommend.
- Some doctors recommend that you take joint supplements for three months to see the benefits.
- Commercial supplements are usually not supervised by IDI. You may need to consult a doctor before taking this supplement.
Method 3 of 3: Treating Arthritis in the Knee
Step 1. Visit a physical therapist
The load on the knee can be reduced by strengthening the muscles surrounding the knee joint. Prevention of muscle atrophy is critical to maintaining knee function and reducing further damage to the joint.
Step 2. Take anti-inflammatory drugs
Prescription or commercial anti-inflammatory drugs (such as NSAIDs) are drugs that help with pain and inflammation in the knee.
- Always consult with your doctor first before trying to treat arthritis using commercial medications, especially if you are taking other medications to treat arthritis.
- Never exceed the recommended dose of all medications, including commercial anti-inflammatory drugs. Excess doses can be life-threatening.
Step 3. Get a hyaluronic acid injection into the knee
This acid can help lubricate joints and is found naturally in joint fluid. If you have arthritis, the natural hyaluronic acid in the knee will be depleted and less effective.
- Your doctor may recommend injections of hyaluronic acid (also known as artificial joint fluid or visco supplementation) into the knee joint.
- While not all people with arthritis will benefit from these injections, symptoms may subside within 3-6 months.
Step 4. Ask your doctor about corticosteroids or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMAD)
There are several prescription medications that can be used to treat arthritis.
- DMAD medications (eg methotrexate or hydroxychloroquine) slow or stop the immune system from attacking your joints.
- Biologic drugs (eg etanercept and infliximab) act on various protein molecules involved in the immune response that causes arthritis.
- Corticosteroids (eg prednisone and cortisone) reduce inflammation and suppress the body's immune system. This medication can be taken by mouth, or injected directly into the affected joint.
Step 5. Talk to your doctor about surgery
If conservative treatments don't relieve arthritis pain or don't do enough to prevent further damage, you may need surgery, such as joint fusion or joint replacement.
- During surgery, the doctor will remove the ends of the two bones in the joint and lock the ends together until they heal into a solid unit.
- During joint replacement surgery, the doctor will remove the damaged joint and replace it with an artificial joint.
Tips
- If you think you are suffering from early symptoms of arthritis, consult your doctor immediately. Early treatment can change some forms of arthritis.
- Treatment of knee arthritis should start with the most basic steps and progress to more severe processes, possibly including surgery.
- Not all treatments are appropriate for every patient, and you should discuss this with your doctor first to determine which treatment is right for you.
