Knee Arthritis

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Out of the many different type of arthritis, knee arthritis is deemed to be the most common one. People who suffer from knee arthritis find it difficult to do even the most common things in life. Everyday activities become difficult. Simple acts like walking become the hardest task.

What are the Types of Knee Arthritis?

Knee arthritis is of various types and some of the common ones are mentioned below:

Rheumatoid Arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis not only occurs at the knee but also in different other joints throughout the body. The knee joint is covered by a special type of membrane called synovial membrane. In this type of arthritis, this membrane begins to swell. Stiffness and pain are the common symptoms. This is a case of autoimmune disease where the normal tissues are damaged by the immune system of the body.

Posttraumatic Arthritis – As the term suggests, posttraumatic arthritis refers to the kind of arthritis that results after an injury to the knee. When you break a bone, the breakage might result in arthritis many years after the injury. Ligament injures and meniscal tears can also lead to this condition.

What are the Symptoms of Knee Arthritis?

The common symptoms of knee arthritis are as follows:

• The joint which is affected becomes stiff and swollen.
• When you sit for a long time, the pain in your knee joint usually starts to worsen.
• If the condition is acute, then it may also happen that loose fragments of cartilage or ligaments move about in the joint area causing an obstruction in the normal movement. This results in an unbearable pain when an attempt of movement is made.
• The knee feels weak and stability is lost.
• When there is rainy season, the pain usually becomes worse.

Lifestyle changes for managing Knee Arthritis

Exercise

Exercise is very important for you to avoid losing muscle mass around your joints. Thus, physical activity can help you maintain or even develop your muscles and thus relieve your joints.

• Range of motion exercises can help relieve stiffness and maintain joint mobility.
• Strengthening exercises to maintain or increase muscle strength.
• Endurance exercises for a healthy heart and better weight control. Walking, swimming and cycling, among others, fall into this category.

Weight Loss

• Dieting can be beneficial to reduce the weight carried by your joints.
• Dieting should not be too fast and too restrictive, since the lost kilos tend to return just as quickly.

What are the Treatment Measures of Knee Arthritis?

The common treatment measures for knee arthritis are as follows:

• Initially, the doctors will recommend a non-surgical mode of treatment whereby lifestyle modifications will be prescribed. Physical therapies are also helpful as they will increase your mobility and flexibility.
• Devices such as shock-absorbing shoes or knee braces also prove to be helpful.
• Medications are also present for knee arthritis.
• Arthroscopy is prescribes by the doctors when the condition is acute.
• When a hole is formed in your cartilage, cartilage grafting is recommended.
• Arthroplasty or knee replacement is also a form of surgical treatment for knee arthritis.
• Osteotomy and synovectomy are also recommended depending upon the condition of the arthritis.

In Early stage of knee arthritis non surgical methods can be tried and helpful to retard the progression of desease. However once the desease is progressed Total Knee replacement is recommended.

After you undergo your treatment at our clinic, you will be able to resume your daily activities.