Knee Osteoarthritis

Medical Departments

Knee osteoarthritis is a common degenerative condition that affects the knee joint and occurs when the cartilage covering the ends of the bones gradually wears away. Treatment aims to relieve pain, improve joint movement, and maintain knee function.

What is knee osteoarthritis? Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage that cushions the bones inside the knee joint gradually deteriorates.

As the cartilage wears down, the bones may rub against each other, leading to pain, inflammation, and reduced joint mobility.

Causes

Knee osteoarthritis may develop due to several factors, including:

• Aging
• Excess body weight
• Previous knee injuries
• Repetitive stress on the joint
• Genetic predisposition

Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

• Knee pain
• Joint stiffness, especially in the morning
• Difficulty walking or moving the knee
• Swelling in the joint
• Grinding or clicking sounds during movement

Diagnosis

Diagnosis typically involves:

• Physical examination of the knee joint
• Assessment of joint movement
• X-ray imaging to evaluate joint degeneration
• MRI in certain cases

Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and may include:

• Lifestyle modifications to reduce joint stress
• Physical therapy to strengthen surrounding muscles
• Medications to relieve pain and inflammation
• Therapeutic joint injections

In advanced cases, knee replacement surgery may be recommended to improve mobility and relieve pain.

Importance of early treatment

Early diagnosis and treatment help to:

• Reduce pain
• Slow disease progression
• Preserve joint mobility

A Message to Patients

If you experience persistent knee pain or stiffness,
early medical evaluation can help diagnose knee osteoarthritis and guide appropriate treatment.