Osteoarthritis Of the Knee Joint – What Should You Know?

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is set apart by torment, growing, and solidness and makes climbing steps, strolling, running, and so on, troublesome. If not treated on schedule, osteoarthritis of the knee joint can upset everyday schedules and even lead to inability.

Are you suffering from knee pain when bending, walking or when using the stairs? Is your knee swollen or inflamed?

If yes, then it could be the onset of osteoarthritis of the knee joint. You need to visit an orthopedic doctor and begin its treatment immediately!

People can visit and consult Dr. Sandeep Singh, the best Orthopedic Doctor in Bhubaneswar, for treating osteoarthritis of the knee joint and related conditions.

What is osteoarthritis of the knee joint?

Osteoarthritis is a medical condition that affects the body joints, viz. knees, hands, and hips. It is a degenerative condition caused due to wear and tear of the knee cartilage. Due to aging, the knee cartilage is worn out and turns rough. Also, the space between to bones of the knees reduces, leading to rubbing of bones and causes bone spurs. It is a slow disease that over a period causes great pain and discomfort. Usually, osteoarthritis of the knee joint occurs in middle-aged people, but these days, even younger people are complaining of this condition.

Symptoms of the osteoarthritis of the knee joint

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is marked by pain, swelling, and stiffness and makes climbing stairs, walking, running, etc., very difficult. If not treated on time, osteoarthritis of the knee joint can disrupt daily routines and even lead to disability.

Diagnosis of the osteoarthritis of the knee joint

Dr. Sandeep Singh, the best orthopedist in Bhubaneswar, conducts a physical examination of the knee and check for signs of osteoarthritis such as-

Swelling and/or tenderness in the knee
Redness and warmth in the knee area
Range of motion
Pain on pressing
Unstable knee joint

If required, he may suggest blood tests, x-rays, and CT-Scans to check the space between the knees, the condition of the soft tissues in the knee area, and so on.

1st stage of osteoarthritis

Stages of osteoarthritis of the knee and treatment options

This being the first stage of osteoarthritis, the patient complains of slight pain and discomfort. The affected knee shows signs of slight wear and tear along with growths of bone spurs too.

Treatment of 1st stage of osteoarthritis

The orthopaedic surgeon can recommend nutritional supplements to maintain the knee’s health, especially glucosamine and chondroitin, along with suitable lifestyle correction and exercise for the same.

2nd Stage of Mild Osteoarthritis

The 2nd stage is diagnosed through x-rays that could reveal bone spurs and space between the bones. The patient could complain of pain in the knee joint area when sitting for long hours or rising after sleeping or even after a workout. There is slight rubbing or friction between the bones as the synovial fluid present acts as a lubricant and helps the movement of the knee.

Treatment of 2nd Stage of Mild Osteoarthritis

The orthopedic surgeon suggests a plan to stop the further wear and tear of the knee joint and the onset of osteoarthritis. Apart from advice on maintaining a healthy knee joint, the surgeon will suggest exercises and strength training protocol to keep the knee strong. If required, the patient will have to wear shoe inserts, knee supports, and braces to support the knee.

3rd Stage of Moderate Osteoarthritis

In this stage, the wear and tear of the knee cartilage are highly visible, along with the narrowing down of spaces between the bones. At the same time, bone spurs are visible, relating to the degeneration of the knee. The patient complains of stiffness in the knee joint, inflammation, and movements such as kneeling, squatting, running, and even minimal walking. At times, a popping sound is heard when moving the knee joint.

Treatment of 3rd Stage of Moderate Osteoarthritis

To begin with, the surgeon will prescribe pain-relief medicines and therapies for pain management. The patient must take up weight loss initiatives at this stage; else, viscosupplementation treatment is suggested. Viscosupplementation treatment involves administering hyaluronic injections in the knee joint, which may provide some relief to the patient for a limited time.

4th Stage of Severe Osteoarthritis

The orthopaedic surgeon recommends a procedure known as osteotomy. This surgical procedure is also known as bone realignment surgery. The surgeon realigns the bones of the knee by placing them away from the damaged bones and the bone spurs. This also shifts the body’s weight to another area of the knee in order to reduce the pressure on the knee joint. Total knee replacement is yet another surgical procedure that is suggested to treat severe osteoarthritis. As the name suggests, the surgeon will remove the damaged knee joint with a metal or plastic knee prosthesis. The patient may find considerable relief from osteoarthritis but the recovery period is quite long. For the best outcome, the patient has to undergo extensive physical therapy to regain the full functionality of the knee.

Treatment of 4th Stage of Severe Osteoarthritis

Frequently Asked Questions :

1 . Are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis different?

Yes, they are two different medical conditions. Osteoarthritis refers to the wear and tear in the cartilage in the knees. On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis refers to the damage to the joint lining by the immune system. A patient with rheumatoid arthritis suffers from inflammation and swelling in the knee and deformed knee joint.

2. What leads to the onset of osteoarthritis of the knee?

Apart from aging, the other factors contributing to osteoarthritis of the knee are family history, trauma, obesity, low levels of vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, repetitive injuries, poor levels of hormones, and overweight conditions.

3. What are the major symptoms of osteoarthritis?

The primary symptom of osteoarthritis is persistent pain even when the patient rests and sleeps. Other symptoms include stiffness in the joint, deformity in the joint, limited activity, and even hampering quality of life.

Make sure to get the right and most reliable treatment from a trusted doctor to experience the best recovery. Do visit the best ortho doctor in Bhubaneswar, Dr. Sandeep Singh, for safe and proper treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.