Knee Anatomy and Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and affects many people after middle age.It is often referred to a degenerative joint disease. There are many ways to treat arthritis to minimize pain, improve function, and provide quality of life.
Arthritis affects the cartilage, or smooth lining that covers the surfaces of the knee joint. It is a very low friction interface that allows fluid motion in the normal knee. In the arthritic knee, the cartilage layer degenerates and can wear away, exposing the underlying bone. This may cause "Bone-on-bone Arthritis". Cysts, or holes in the bone, and bone spurs called osteophytes may develop.
Causes of arthritis can be many. Sometimes previous injury or trauma causes wear. Abnormal alignment and motion can increase wear. Genetics may also play a role - patients with a strong family history of arthritis may be more likely to develop it themselves. In some cases, a condition called avasvcular necrosis can cause significant change and collapse of a joint when part of the bone dies.
Arthritis affects the cartilage, or smooth lining that covers the surfaces of the knee joint. It is a very low friction interface that allows fluid motion in the normal knee. In the arthritic knee, the cartilage layer degenerates and can wear away, exposing the underlying bone. This may cause "Bone-on-bone Arthritis". Cysts, or holes in the bone, and bone spurs called osteophytes may develop.
Causes of arthritis can be many. Sometimes previous injury or trauma causes wear. Abnormal alignment and motion can increase wear. Genetics may also play a role - patients with a strong family history of arthritis may be more likely to develop it themselves. In some cases, a condition called avasvcular necrosis can cause significant change and collapse of a joint when part of the bone dies.
Symptoms of arthritis usually include pain and loss of motion. Pain is the first sign for most patients. It can be associated with stiffness. At first, symptoms may only present with activity. As the disease progresses, patients may experience pain even at rest or at night.
The diagnosis of arthritis is made with a history and physical exam by your doctor. X-rays or other imaging may be performed to determine the extent of the damage and possibly the cause.If infection or other conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis are suspected, bloodwork or labs may be required.
Treatment of arthritis can usually begin with simple measures that your primary care physician may begin. These may include physical therapy and weight loss, over-the-counter medications or prescriptions, or assistive devices such as a cane or brace. Oftentimes injections can be helpful for an arthritic joint.
In some cases, surgery may be appropriate and necessary for the treatment of significant arthritis.
The diagnosis of arthritis is made with a history and physical exam by your doctor. X-rays or other imaging may be performed to determine the extent of the damage and possibly the cause.If infection or other conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis are suspected, bloodwork or labs may be required.
Treatment of arthritis can usually begin with simple measures that your primary care physician may begin. These may include physical therapy and weight loss, over-the-counter medications or prescriptions, or assistive devices such as a cane or brace. Oftentimes injections can be helpful for an arthritic joint.
In some cases, surgery may be appropriate and necessary for the treatment of significant arthritis.
Knee Surgery
Arthroscopy, or a "knee scope" is an outpatient procedure. Through very small incisions, a surgeon can use a camera and small instruments to clean up an arthritic joint, treat or repair tears in a meniscus, repair certain types of cartilage injury, or reconstruct torn ligaments.
Osteotomy is a procedure where the joint is realigned. This can help to redistribute the forces across a joint and ease pain and slow the progression of arthritis. This is also a procedure usually reserved for younger patients and is a fairly large operation with significant recovery time.
Total Knee Replacement is a definitive solution for arthritis of the knee. In this procedure, all parts sides of the joint, the femur, tibia, and patella replaced with components that act just like a normal knee. All arthritic surfaces, and any parts that move on one another are resurfaced. Some patients may be candidates for a less invasive procedure, a partial knee replacement, where only the affected part of the knee is replaced.
