Arthritic Knee and Treatment

At CORE Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, we see many patients with arthritis in their knee joint(s), and we know how painful and life-altering the disease can be. Our number one goal is always to improve the pain scores and quality of life of each of our patients. Listed below are some of the non-surgical and surgical approaches we take when we treat the arthritic knee:

1. 1. Physical Therapy
2. 2. Lifestyle Modification
   Weight loss, avoiding weight-bearing and aggravating activities, low-impact exercises, such as biking, swimming, etc.
3. 3. Exercise
   Exercise plans and activities are prescribed to improve strength and flexibility without exacerbating pain.
4. 4. Anti-inflammatory Medications
   To decrease swelling in the joint and provide temporary pain relief.
   Can include drugs taken by mouth or injected directly into the joint (like Corticosteroids).
5. 5. Joint Fluid Therapy
   A series of injections directly into your knee that will improve joint lubrication, function, and decreased pain.
6. 6. Glucosamine/Chondroitin
   A dietary supplement that may relieve arthritic pain.
7. 7. Bracing
   To provide external stability to the knee joint.
8. 8. Arthroscopic Surgery
   Minimally invasive procedure to remove debris or repair torn cartilage.
9. 9. Total Knee Replacement Surgery
   Surgical procedure that replaces all three components of the knee.

Knee Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that involves severe inflammation of the joints and can be extremely painful. The disease affects about 1 percent of the World’s population and is caused by erosion in the articular cartilage. When a patient has rheumatoid arthritis, their immune system (which would normally protect their health,) attacks their body’s own tissues and joint membranes. This causes fluid to build up in their joints, which causes extreme pain, tenderness, inflammation, and stiffness. For patients with RA in their knees, the inflammation eventually causes damage to the knee joint surface.

• Causes

  Unfortunately, experts do not yet know the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis, but there is evidence that people might have a genetic predisposition to the disease, which is then triggered by a virus, bacteria, or even by unusually severe stress. RA is more common in women than in men, and its onset frequently occurs in middle age.

• Symptoms

  The primary symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include pain, swelling, joint stiffness, and loss of motion. Patients also report a loss of appetite, fever, energy loss, anemia, and rheumatoid nodules (lumps of tissue under the skin). It’s not uncommon for patients to have less painful or even pain-free days, and then have symptom “flare-ups” for a few days or weeks at a time.

• Treatment

  At CORE Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, our physicians will work with your rheumatologist and recommend the following treatment options for patients with RA:

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like Advil
  • Aspirin
  • Analgesics
  • Corticosteroids, like prednisone
  • Injectable biologic drugs
  • Joint fluid therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Total knee replacement

Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It most commonly affects the knees, hands, hips, and spine, and the symptoms include painful and swollen joints. Osteoarthritis of the knee is commonly referred to as “wear and tear” arthritis and is the most common reason for total knee replacements.

• Causes

  Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of bones wears down over time. Many patients want to know why this happens, but the science is not definitive, and research is still being done every day to bring more clarity to the disease. We do know that the degenerative process could be caused by a variety of things, including a previous knee injury or the wear and tear of daily life. Some experts also point toward genetic predisposition as a factor in the development of osteoarthritis.

• Symptoms

  Osteoarthritis causes severe knee pain, swelling, and stiffening of the knee joint. At first, the pain might arise only with certain activities. As the disease progresses, the pain can become constant and interfere with daily activities, sleep, and quality of life.

• Treatment

  In the early stages of osteoarthritis treatment, the doctors at CORE Orthopedics and Sports Medicine focus on conservative measures to help relieve pain and manage joint stress. We often recommend behavioral and lifestyle changes such as weight loss, pain management plans, and physical therapy (to improve joint strength and mobility). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil and Cox-2 inhibitors have also helped many patients immensely.

Sometimes, we’ll recommend more aggressive treatment options, such as injections or joint fluid therapy, to lubricate the knee and reduce the pain and swelling of the joint. In extreme cases, total knee replacement surgery may be necessary to improve daily functioning and relieve pain.