Do you suffer from debilitating knee pain that impairs your ability to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, approximately 50 million other people share your experience. Unless you have sustained a specific injury to a ligament, bone or cartilage, then your pain is most likely caused by knee arthritis.
Arthritis can be a result of a traumatic injury, but for the average patient suffering from this condition, their arthritis is the kind referred to as “wear and tear,” which means it develops over time and is caused simply by general use. Some people are more genetically prone to this kind of knee arthritis, which is called osteoarthritis. For some, overuse of their knees or sports is a cause of cartilage breakdown. And for others, there is no obvious cause, but in any case, there are always clear symptoms.
- Symptoms of Arthritis in the Knee
- Increased pain after activity
- Locking/catching of the knee
- Swelling and stiffness
- Increased pain associated with rainy weather
- Warmth or redness of the joint
- Development of a limp
- General weakness/instability
- Grating noise (called crepitus)
Arthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage, which then, in turn, causes inflammation and pain as the bones within the knee joint rub against one another during movement. As knee arthritis worsens, swelling, stiffness and pain in the knee become more unbearable. Intense pain and immobility are the primary reasons that patients with this condition finally make an appointment with an orthopaedic specialist.
Advantages of Seeing a Knee Arthritis Specialist
As one of the most commonly cited causes of lost independence and lost time at work, arthritis in the knee will continue to negatively impact your life until you seek help from a qualified specialist, such as those who make up Rothman Orthopaedic Institute’s team of knee physicians.
When you call 1-800-321-9999, we’ll help you set up an appointment with one of our physicians. She or he will be able to assess your particular case and recommend a strategic treatment plan, which could include:
- simple, conservative treatment methods, such as activity modification
- non-operative intervention, such as cortisone injections
- surgical solutions, including joint replacement
Don’t be held hostage to knee arthritis. If this condition is impacting your everyday life, making it difficult to walk, squat, climb or even
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