Osteoarthritis Of Knee

Overview on Osteoarthritis of Knee

Osteoarthritis Of Knee

Osteoarthritis of knee is said to be the type of osteoarthritis that is most commonly experienced by people. According to statistics on this painful physical condition, there are over ten million Americans who are suffer from this. It is the top cause of disability in the US. There are actually several factors that could cause osteoarthritis, which includes: subchondral bone problems, obesity, genes, meniscus tear injuries, ligament tear, fractures, repetitive knee strains, and knee injuries.

Normally, a person would not know right away if he has osteoarthritis of knee. The reason for this is that this condition develops in a gradual manner. It usually takes years before one would notice the symptoms of such condition, which are: localized swelling, motion range that is limited, stiffness, and pain. The pain associated with osteoarthritis of knee would be felt after strenuous physical activity. And the stiffness mentioned above would get worse after prolonged periods of inactivity. And as time goes by, the condition would progress if not treated right away. This is why it is very important to have it diagnosed as soon as possible. By diagnosing early, the patient will be informed of the possible treatments that he could use in managing the his arthritic symptoms. There are various diagnosing methods that a doctor could employ in determining the cause of your condition. These methods include arthroscopic knee surgery, MRI, x-rays, physical examination, and checking your medical history. These procedures are important because their results would form the basis for determining if further appropriate treatment is needed.

Some treatments are available to manage the symptoms of Osteoarthritis of knee. In some cases, the condition may not be fully cured. Such treatments include acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, Celebrex, chondroitin sulphate, glucosamine, heat and cold therapy, joint protection techniques, knee support or brace, weight loss, topical creams, physical therapy or exercise, etc. The best treatments are not aimed solely at relieving symptoms, but are seeking to rebuild the knee joint and so create a better physical condition altogether.