Understanding Knee Arthritis: Symptoms, Sensations, and Treatment Options
Knee arthritis is a common condition that can significantly impact daily life. To manage it effectively, it’s essential to understand the symptoms, sensations, and available treatments. This comprehensive guide will help you recognize the signs of knee arthritis and explore the best ways to alleviate discomfort and maintain joint health.
What Does Knee Arthritis Feel Like?
Knee arthritis can manifest in various ways, and the symptoms can vary from person to person. Here’s a detailed look at the familiar sensations and signs associated with knee arthritis:
1. Persistent Pain
One of the most notable symptoms of knee arthritis is persistent pain. This pain is often described as a dull ache but can become sharp during movement or after prolonged inactivity. The pain typically worsens with activity and improves with rest.
2. Stiffness and Reduced Range of Motion
Arthritis often leads to stiffness in the knee joint, making it difficult to move the knee freely. You might notice this stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting long. Reduced range of motion can affect your ability to perform everyday tasks.
3. Swelling and Tenderness
Inflammation of the knee joint due to arthritis can cause swelling and tenderness. The joint may feel warm to the touch, and the swelling can make bending or straightening the knee challenging.
4. Cracking or Popping Sounds
People with knee arthritis often hear or feel a grinding, cracking, or popping sound when moving the knee. This sensation, known as crepitus, is due to the roughened surfaces of the joints rubbing against each other.
5. Weakness and Buckling
Arthritis can weaken the muscles around the knee, leading to a feeling of instability. Your knee may buckle or give way, making it difficult to maintain balance and stability during activities.
6. Pain Fluctuations with Weather Changes
Many individuals with knee arthritis report that their pain fluctuates with changes in the weather. Cold, damp weather can exacerbate symptoms, while warm weather might provide some relief.
Types of Knee Arthritis
Understanding knee arthritis types can help identify specific symptoms and tailor treatment approaches. The most common types include:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, characterized by the gradual wear and tear of cartilage in the knee joint. It usually affects older adults and progresses slowly over time.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body’s immune system to attack the joint lining. It can affect individuals of any age and often leads to severe pain and swelling.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
This type of arthritis develops after a knee injury, such as a fracture or ligament tear. The injury can damage the cartilage and lead to arthritis years later.
Diagnosing Knee Arthritis
Accurate diagnosis of knee arthritis involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and imaging tests. Here’s how healthcare providers diagnose this condition:
- Medical History and Physical Exam: Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, activity level, and past injuries. They will also examine your knee for swelling, tenderness, and range of motion.
- Imaging Tests: X-rays can reveal joint space narrowing, bone spurs, and other arthritis-related changes. MRI scans provide detailed images of soft tissues, including cartilage and ligaments.
- Laboratory Tests: Blood tests can help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis by detecting specific antibodies and inflammation markers.
Treatment Options for Knee Arthritis
While there is no cure for arthritis, various treatments can help manage symptoms and improve joint function. Here are some effective treatment options:
Surgical Treatments
When conservative treatments are ineffective, surgical options may be necessary:
- Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive procedure to remove or repair damaged tissue in the knee joint.
- Osteotomy: A surgery that realigns bones to reduce stress on the knee joint.
- Partial or Total Knee Replacement: This procedure involves replacing the damaged part or the entire knee joint with an artificial implant. It is typically recommended for severe arthritis cases.
Non-Surgical Treatments
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce pain and inflammation. Your doctor may also prescribe stronger medications if necessary.
- Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can design an exercise program to strengthen the muscles around your knee, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.
- Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce stress on your knee joints and alleviate pain.
- Assistive Devices: Using braces, shoe inserts, or walking aids can support and reduce knee stress.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Avoiding activities aggravating your knee pain and incorporating low-impact exercises, such as swimming or cycling, can help manage symptoms.
- Apos®:
A revolutionary approach to treating chronic knee pain. Apos® is an FDA-cleared, non-drug, non-invasive treatment that involves wearing a personalized foot-worn medical device for about an hour daily during everyday activities. Clinically proven to significantly relieve pain, improve function and quality of life, reduce pain meds consumption, and delay or avoid knee surgery.
How does Apos work?
- Shifts pressure away from painful areas.
- Retrains muscles for healthier movement
- Treats symptoms and the root cause of pain
Benefits of Apos®:
- Significant Pain Reduction: Studies show a 70% reduction in knee pain1.
- Improved Function: Significant improvement in daily function and quality of life1.
- Avoids or delays surgery: 87% of Apos®-Treated Patients With Knee OA Did Not Pursue Further Surgical Treatment at 5 Years2
- Convenient: Used at home during daily activities.
- Insurance Coverage: This is covered by many insurance plans
Apos is recommended in NICE guidelines, 70 published clinical research papers, and over 150,000 patients treated worldwide.
Contact us today to learn how Apos can help with your knee pain.
1. Reichenbach A, Felson DT, Hincapi CA, Heldner S, Butikofer L, Lenz A, da Costa BR, Bonel HM, Jones RK, Hawker GA, Juni P. Effect of Biomechanical Footwear on Knee Pain in People With Knee Osteoarthritis—the BIOTOK Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2020;323(18):1802-1812.
(2)Shema-Shiratzky S, Mor A, Elbaz A. Non-Invasive Biomechanical Intervention Leads to Low Rates of Total Knee Replacement and Reduced Utilization of Healthcare Resources among Older Adults with Chronic Knee Pain: A 5-Year Follow-Up study. Journal of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Treatment 2023, 9(1):121. DOI: 10.23937/2572-3243.1510121.
