Knee Osteoarthritis
What is Knee Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequent form of arthritis that impacts the knee. It is a result of breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage is the coating on the end of the bone that protects the joint and decreases friction. OA leads to stiffness, swelling and joint pain. It makes everyday activities like kneeling, climbing stairs, and walking difficult.
In the U.S., over 33 million adults have osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a major cause of health care visits and is linked to other health issues like depression, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. It costs the U.S. economy around $100 billion a year, which is more than what is spent on chronic heart and lung diseases combined.
OA mostly affects people over 50 and can run in families. Women are more likely to get it than men. Extra weight puts more stress on your knees, with every pound of weight putting 5-10 pounds of pressure on the knee joint. Also, if your knees are misaligned (like being bow-legged) or if you repeatedly stress the joint from work or sports, you have a higher risk of developing OA. Past injuries to the knee can also lead to a type of OA called post-traumatic OA.
Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition that gets worse over time. It’s often called “wear and tear” arthritis because it involves the gradual breakdown of cartilage. OA affects the shinbone (tibia), thighbone (femur), and kneecap (patella).
Most cases of OA (about 85%) are part of normal aging, similar to getting gray hair or wrinkles. The rest are due to injuries like ACL tears or meniscus damage, which can lead to future joint problems. It’s different from inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis, where the immune system attacks the joints, causing widespread inflammation.
- Joint Pain: You might feel a dull ache around your knee, especially after activities. The pain usually gets better with rest.
- Stiffness: Your knee may feel stiff, making it hard to move it fully.
- Reduced Range of Motion: As OA gets worse, moving your knee, like bending or climbing stairs, can become difficult.
- Crepitus: You might hear or feel a grinding or “rice crispy: noises (snap, crackle, pop) in your knee.
- Decreased Function: OA can make it hard to do daily activities and participate in physical activities.
- Muscle Weakness: The muscles around your knee may weaken due to pain and less activity.
- Bone Spurs: Over time, your body might grow extra bone around the joint, known as bone spurs.
- Physical Exam: Your doctor will check how well you can move your knee, look for swelling or tenderness, and listen for any grinding noises when you move your knee. They’ll also observe your walking pattern to spot any issues.
- Imaging: To confirm the diagnosis, X-rays will be taken to show how much joint space has narrowed, if there are bone spurs, and change of alignment in the knee.
Understanding knee osteoarthritis can help you manage the symptoms and seek the right treatment.
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