Knee Osteoarthritis

Understanding Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis is a condition characterized by the gradual breakdown of cartilage within the knee joint. This wear and tear leads to direct contact between bones, resulting in inflammation and damage to the joint. The condition typically develops slowly over time.

Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Several factors increase the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis, including advancing age, obesity, prior knee injuries, repetitive strain from work or sports, and genetic predisposition. Common symptoms include pain that intensifies with activity, morning stiffness lasting less than half an hour, swelling, reduced range of motion, and a grinding sensation during knee movement. Diagnosis involves a physical examination, a review of the patient’s medical history, and imaging tests like X-rays or MRI to evaluate the joint and cartilage. Blood tests may also be conducted to exclude other forms of arthritis.

Treatment and Management Strategies

The primary objectives of treating knee osteoarthritis are to alleviate pain, enhance joint function and mobility, slow the progression of the disease, and preserve quality of life, ideally delaying or avoiding the need for knee replacement surgery. Treatment approaches range from conservative methods such as weight management, physical therapy, low-impact exercises, over-the-counter pain medications, bracing, walking aids, and activity adjustments. More interventional options include viscosupplementation, platelet-rich plasma therapy, orthobiologics, and, in severe cases, joint replacement surgery.