Knee Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints and causes bouts of pain. It can affect various joints in the body, including the knees. The type of arthritis that affects the knees is osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis, otherwise known as degenerative arthritis, is the slow but progressive disintegration of the joints. The cartilage is a strong yet versatile connective tissue which safeguards the end of the bones in the joints. Osteoarthritis in the knee is a recurrent condition since the knees support the mass of the body. Having Osteoarthritis of the knee has a great affect on a person’s quality of life.
Causes
Osteoarthritis is a worsening disease that develops over a period of time. Although it is commonly the result of a traumatic accident to the joint, it occurs as the cartilage develops a rough texture. It wears down over time leaving a big possibility of bone to bone friction. This condition is common among older female, especially those whose work poses great tension on the knees and joints. Those who have a particular ailment, bone malfunction or a genetic tendency have a big chance of acquiring osteoarthritis.
A knee in good shape will have a thick layer of cartilage covering the end part of the bones. A well-conditioned cartilage enables the bones to float easily across each other. In contrast, an osteoarthritis affected knee will have the cartilage of the bones worn out and deteriorated.
Recurrent movement or trauma will hasten this degeneration. In due course the bones may chafe one another resulting to bone spur formation. This chafing and rubbing can result to the slow development of bony bumps forming along the edges of the joint, which in return, becomes a source of joint pain.
Symptoms
Indications of osteoarthritis of the knee include stiffness, swelling and pain on the bone joints. Knees may become frail and unstable and even shaky when walking.
People with osteoarthritis will have difficulty flexing and adjusting the knee with worsening pain when walking or standing over a long period of time.
Treatments
Treatment is largely dependent on the severity of the disease. Medical care can be developed and applied depending on the condition of the knees. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory prescriptions, corticosteroid injections and of course physical therapy coupled with knee braces and weight management can be prescribed during the early stage of the arthritis to help alleviate the tension on the knees. Should these treatment options fail and symptoms persist, surgery can be an option to mend the joints.
AZ Pain and Spine Institute provides pain management solutions for various types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis in the knees. We use various innovative approaches in treating people with knee arthritis. We suit our pain treatment based on the individual needs of each patient, the severity of the pain, and several other individual factors.
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We are pain specialists. This means that we know extensively about pain conditions such as arthritis and how to manage your pain. With our cutting-edge technology and innovative approach, we provide the right treatment for each patient. We do our best in ensuring the success of each treatment so that people with pain conditions will experience relief from their pain and other symptoms. We believe everyone deserves a shot at living a pain-free life.
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