Arthritis Knees

Do you suffer from arthritis in the knees? The term "arthritis" means inflammation of the joints. Arthritis can affect many different parts of your body – arthritis knees, arthritis hips, arthritis hands, etc. – and causes chronic pain and disability. Older individuals, who have spent a lifetime using and abusing their joints, most often come down with arthritis. Arthritis in the knees is just one type of arthritis discussed here.

There are two main types of arthritis knees:

Arthritis Knees Type 1: Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint arthritis, affects the cartilage in your joints and can most certainly cause arthritis knees. Over time, osteoarthritis results in the wearing away of the cartilage between your bones. Without this cartilage, pain results whenever joints rub against each other.

Arthritis Knees Type 2: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Chronic rheumatoid arthritis results in the swelling of the joint lining, and can not only lead to joint destruction, but also the deterioration of surrounding bone and cartilage. This type of arthritis can affect just about any joint, and can definitely contribute to the development of arthritis knees.

People with these two types of arthritis can most certainly develop arthritis knees, but there are other factors that can play a part as well, including:

• Bursitis, tendonitis and tenosynovitis can result in arthritis knees.
• Osteoporosis can cause arthritis knees.
• Infections (bacterial, viral) can lead to arthritis knees.
• Bone and cartilage disorders can result in arthritis knees.
• Direct trauma to the area and surrounding area can lead to arthritis knees.

People with arthritis knees generally feel pain when trying to move the knee joint, or even hear a “crackling sensation.” If you think you may have arthritis knees, here are some other symptoms to look out for:

• Knee swelling is a primary symptom of arthritis knees.
• Increased heat over the joint may indicate that you’re suffering with arthritis knees.
• Deterioration of the quadriceps muscles is one symptom of arthritis knees.

If you and your doctor have determined that you indeed have arthritis knees, or if you’re just looking to prevent the onset of arthritis knees, here are some tips to follow:

• Physical therapy is important for the rehabilitation and pain management of arthritis knees.
  • It’s crucial to maintain strength, especially of the quadriceps muscles and hamstrings, if you want to prevent arthritis knees.
• Drug therapy, primarily with over-the-counter pain relievers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, are very beneficial to treat pain from arthritis knees.
• Using a knee brace or other knee support can offer stability and relief to sufferers of arthritis knees, and also protect the knees from injury for those worried about developing arthritis knees.
• Ice therapy can be used to reduce inflammation associated with arthritis knees.
• Heat therapy can also be used to stimulate circulation in your knees to ease pain and swelling of arthritis knees. (Use a product like Angora Wool Knee Supports, for example.)
• Surgery and joint replacement are last resorts to treating arthritis knees. See your doctor.

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Information on foot, leg and lower body health conditions like arthritis knees provided by The Podiatry Institute, dedicated to advancing the standard of care in podiatric medicine and its effects on musculoskeletal health.