Our muscles, skeletons, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage all work together to keep us upright and moving. However, there are many conditions that can affect the musculoskeletal system, causing pain and limiting even the simplest of movements, like walking. One such well-known condition that can affect anyone from athletes to the elderly is arthritis.
What is Arthritis and How Does it Affect the Knee?
Arthritis is a chronic condition that causes pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the joints of the body. It is a common condition affecting millions of people worldwide. While it can occur in any joint in your body, the knee is one of the most common ones affected by arthritis.
There are over 100 different types of arthritis, ranging from how it develops and what causes it. Here are some of the most common types of arthritis that affect the knee:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It occurs when the cartilage that cushions the bones in the knee joint starts breaking down. This can happen due to age, injury, or overuse. As the cartilage wears away, the bones in the knee rub together, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. In some cases, the bones may also become misaligned, which can further worsen pain and other symptoms.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis develops when the immune system begins to attack the body’s own tissues, such as the joints, which leads to increased inflammation in these areas. While rheumatoid arthritis typically affects smaller joints, like the ones in the hands and feet, the knee is also susceptible to it, especially in cases of advanced rheumatoid arthritis.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis is caused by an injury to the knee. The injury can damage the cartilage, bones, or ligaments in the knee, which can lead to pain, stiffness, and swelling. In some cases, the injury can also lead to the development of osteoarthritis.
What Happens if You Have Knee Arthritis?
Have you ever felt like your bones were rubbing together in your joints? This can be a sign of arthritis. The symptoms of knee arthritis can be different from one individual to another, but they commonly include:
- Pain in the knee, especially during movement
- Swelling in the knee
- Stiffness in the knee, especially in the morning or after sitting for a long time
- Unstable knee joint
- Difficulty moving the knee
- Crackling or popping sounds when moving
While knee arthritis is not a life-threatening condition, it can have a significant impact on your quality of life. The pain and stiffness can make it difficult to walk, climb stairs, or even get out of bed. This can lead to decreased mobility, social isolation, and even depression.
How Can A Knee Doctor Help With Arthritis?
A knee doctor, also known as an orthopedist, can give you the specialized care you need to diagnose, treat, and manage knee arthritis. Your knee doctor can conduct a physical examination and look into your medical and family medical history to help determine what exactly is wrong. Imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans can give a better understanding of what’s going on in your knee joint.
While there is no cure for arthritis, there are treatments that can help relieve pain and improve function. Your orthopedist will work with you to find the best treatment plan that suits your needs. While there are surgical procedures that can help, most cases can be taken care of with non-surgical treatments, such as:
- Medications to relieve pain and inflammation. Common medications include NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and corticosteroids.
- Physical therapy and exercise to improve range of motion and knee strength.
- Knee Injections can help relieve pain and restore knee function. Common injections for treatment include prolozone injections, corticosteroid injections, and platelet-rich plasma injections.
- Lifestyle changes suggested by your doctor can also slow down the progression of the condition and prevent it from worsening.
Knee Injections and Other Treatments for Arthritis in Dallas, TX
Arthritis is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. When it affects the knee, it can cause debilitating pain, stiffness, and weakness, greatly limiting your ability to walk, jump, run, and more. Unfortunately, there is no complete cure for knee arthritis. However, your knee doctor can help create a personalized treatment plan, so you can keep living a pain-free and active life even with arthritis.
Looking for an orthopedist to help you manage knee arthritis? Receive the best individualized orthopedic care from our knee doctors at Reagan Integrated Sports Medicine in Dallas, Texas. Through our specialized treatments for arthritis, such as knee injections, we can help you maintain your health and active life. If you want to learn more about arthritis and possible treatments for you, feel free to talk to our friendly staff by calling (972) 503-7272. You can also schedule an appointment online to visit us at our location in Dallas, Texas.
We are happy to work with you, so you can live the life you want,despite arthritis.
