What Causes Knee Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis can happen at any age. In healthy knee joints, a firm, rubbery material called cartilage covers the ends of each bone. This cartilage provides a smooth, gliding surface for joint motion and acts as a cushion, preventing the bones from rubbing together. When your cartilage is healthy, your knees move freely and without pain. In osteoarthritis (OA), the cartilage begins to break down. This leads to:
- Pain: Caused by bones rubbing together as the cartilage wears away.
- Swelling: Triggered by inflammation in the joint as it struggles to function without proper cushioning.
- Stiffness: Making it difficult to move the knee, especially after periods of inactivity.
- Grinding or Popping Sounds: As the joint surface becomes rough, these noises can occur with movement.
- Limited Mobility: Over time, OA can make everyday activities, like walking or climbing stairs, more challenging.
Often called “wear and tear” arthritis, knee OA is one of the most prevalent types. Osteoarthritis commonly starts in people during their 50s. There is no cure for OA. The disease begins gradually and worsens over time. >> Schedule a screening.
Osteoarthritis Gets Worse Over Time
As OA progresses, it causes significant changes and damage to the joints:
- Bone Breakdown: OA leads to the deterioration of bones, resulting in small growths known as spurs.
- Floating Fragments: Spurs, made of bone or cartilage, can detach and float within the joint, worsening pain.
- Bone-on-Bone Contact: In advanced stages, cartilage diminishes entirely, causing bones to grate against each other.
- Severe Joint Damage: This progression results in pronounced joint damage, discomfort, and pain.
While there is no known cure for osteoarthritis, there are effective treatments that can help slow its progress and prevent further damage and pain.
>> Schedule a screening.
Osteoarthritis Affects More Than
32.5 Million U.S. Adults
If You Suffer From Osteoarthritis, You Are Not Alone.
40% of adults with arthritis are inactive. Inactivity exacerbates obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
23.8 million adults have difficulty with their usual activities due to arthritis.
Earnings
$80 Billion in lost work earnings annually are attributed to osteoarthritis.
Costs
$2,017 average per person, per year in medical costs are attributed to osteoarthritis.
Replacement
12% of Total Knee Replacements recipients need a 2nd surgery after 10 years.
Ostheoarthritis Affects More Than
35 Million U.S. Adults*
If You Suffer From Osteoarthritis, You Are Not Alone.
40% of adults with arthritis are inactive. Inactivity exacerbates obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
23.8 million adults have difficulty with their usual activities due to arthritis.
$80 Billion in lost work earnings annually are attributed to osteoarthritis.
$2,017 average per person, per year in medical costs are attributed to osteoarthritis.
12% of TKR recipients need a 2nd surgery after 10 years.
Osteoarthritis Treatments
Arthritis Knee Pain Centers Only Provide Safe Treatment Options
This FDA-approved therapy consists of a series of precision-guided knee joint injections of a viscosupplement. The “visco” cushioning gel is an all-natural replacement (Hyaluronic Acid) for the depleted synovial fluid in your knee joint and acts as a “lubricant” and “shock absorber.”
An unloader, or offloader, knee brace does exactly what its name suggests—it shifts stress from the affected side of the joint to the healthier side of the joint. Using this type of knee brace, in addition to our precision viscosupplementation therapy, stabilizes the knee joint, extends comfort, and improves mobility.
Some patients with chronic inflammation develop tiny new blood vessels around the knee that are abnormal and cause pain. GAE closes these blood vessels and also eliminates the associated painful nerve fibers. It has been shown to be very effective and is considered a treatment option for patients with residual knee pain after receiving knee injections.
Medications can help relieve osteoarthritis symptoms, primarily pain, but prolonged use can cause other health issues:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – Recommended doses of NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, can help relieve osteoarthritis pain, but prolonged use can cause stomach issues, cardiovascular problems, bleeding problems, and liver and kidney damage. NSAIDs gels, applied to the skin over the affected joint, have fewer side effects.
Acetaminophen – Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can help some people with osteoarthritis who have mild to moderate pain, but taking more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen can cause liver damage.
Steroid Knee Injections - Cortisone injections — Injections of a corticosteroid into your joint might relieve pain for a few weeks. The number of cortisone injections you can receive each year is generally limited because the medication can worsen joint damage over time. Studies show corticosteroid use can actually cause long term joint harm.
Opioids – Although required by prescription, the use of opioids comes with serious risks of abuse and misuse. In addition to health risks side effects may include respiratory depression, confusion, tolerance, and physical dependence.
Joint replacement – In joint replacement surgery, surgeons remove damaged joint surfaces and replace them with plastic and metal parts. There are risks associated with surgery including infection and blood clots. Healing takes time and artificial joints can wear out or come loose and might eventually need to be replaced.
Here are the Options to Treat Osteoarthritis.
An unloader, or offloader, knee brace does exactly what its name suggests—it shifts stress from the affected side of the joint to the healthier side of the joint. Using this type of knee brace, in addition to our precision viscosupplementation therapy, stabilizes the knee joint, extends comfort, and improves mobility.
Some patients with chronic inflammation develop tiny new blood vessels around the knee that are abnormal and cause pain. GAE closes these blood vessels and also eliminates the associated painful nerve fibers. It has been shown to be very effective and is considered a treatment option for patients with residual knee pain after receiving knee injections.
This FDA-approved therapy consists of a series of precision-guided knee joint injections of a viscosupplement. The “visco” cushioning gel is an all-natural replacement (Hyaluronic Acid) for the depleted synovial fluid in your knee joint and acts as a “lubricant” and “shock absorber.”
Medications can help relieve osteoarthritis symptoms, primarily pain, but prolonged use can cause other health issues:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – Recommended doses of NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, can help relieve osteoarthritis pain, but prolonged use can cause stomach issues, cardiovascular problems, bleeding problems, and liver and kidney damage. NSAIDs gels, applied to the skin over the affected joint, have fewer side effects.
Acetaminophen – Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can help some people with osteoarthritis who have mild to moderate pain, but taking more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen can cause liver damage.
Steroid Knee Injections - Cortisone injections — Injections of a corticosteroid into your joint might relieve pain for a few weeks. The number of cortisone injections you can receive each year is generally limited because the medication can worsen joint damage over time. Studies show corticosteroid use can actually cause long term joint harm.
Opioids – Although required by prescription, the use of opioids comes with serious risks of abuse and misuse. In addition to health risks side effects may include respiratory depression, confusion, tolerance, and physical dependence.
Joint replacement – In joint replacement surgery, surgeons remove damaged joint surfaces and replace them with plastic and metal parts. There are risks associated with surgery including infection and blood clots. Healing takes time and artificial joints can wear out or come loose and might eventually need to be replaced.
Opioids – Although required by prescription, the use of opioids comes with serious risks of abuse and misuse. In addition to health risks side effects may include respiratory depression, confusion, tolerance, and physical dependence.
What is Different about Osteoarthritis of the knee?
We do a deep dive into osteoarthritis of the knee and joint degeneration. We define the disease, talk about treatment options, and help you to know how to best prevent it from getting worse.
Learn More About Our Non-Surgical Treatments for Osteoarthritis.
For many, our treatment is a scientifically-proven alternative to painful, risky, expensive surgery.
If you qualify, our treatment may alleviate your knee pain as it has for others.
Call Now 833-300-5633
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833-300-5633
Recognizing Your Osteoarthritis Symptoms
How do you know if you have Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, degenerative disease. It causes a breakdown of cartilage, the smooth, flexible protective tissue that helps cushion your joints. Without that natural shock absorption, your joints hurt, especially when you move. Here are some common signs and symptoms that may indicate OA:
- Joint Pain: Pain, especially during movement, caused by the breakdown of cartilage.
- Morning Stiffness: Joints feel stiff in the morning or after periods of rest or activity.
- Limited Mobility: Pain and stiffness can make it difficult to complete daily activities.
- Swelling and Tenderness: Affected joints may become swollen, warm, and tender over time.
- Crackling Sounds: You may hear crackling or grating sounds when moving, a sign of bones rubbing together.
- Domino Effect: Favoring painful joints can increase pressure on your back or other joints, leading to back pain and additional issues.
At Arthritis Knee Pain Centers, we recognize that OA symptoms vary from person to person. That’s why seeking guidance from a healthcare professional is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective management. Your journey towards improved well-being starts with a proper assessment.
STAGES OF OSTEOARTHRITIS
Osteoarthritis patients develop very minor “wear & tear” and bone spur growths at the end of the knee joints. Minimum disruption. There is already 10% cartilage lost.
In stage 2, diagnostic images or X-rays of knee joints will show more bone spur growth. People are experiencing joint pain. Typically, the area around the knee joint feels stiff and uncomfortable, particularly when sitting for an extended period, after rising in the morning, or after a workout. The joint space is narrowing. The cartilage begins breaking down.
In stage 3, the cushion-like cartilage between the bones wears away, and the gap between bones gets smaller. Proteins and collagen fragments are released, causing bones to develop spurs, making the joint surface rough. This leads to inflammation, causing pain during activities like walking, running, squatting, kneeling or extending the knee. Stiffness and popping sounds in the joints may also occur, especially in the morning or after sitting for longer stretches.
In stage 4, the space between the bones becomes much smaller, making the cartilage wear away, leaving the joint stiff. This breakdown leads to ongoing inflammation, less joint fluid, and more friction. You can expect increased pain and discomfort when walking or moving the joint. As more bone spurs develop, excruciating discomfort makes everyday tasks like climbing stairs challenging.
What is Osteoarthritis and What Happens If I Ignore It?
Osteoarthritis may start out with subtle symptoms or pain, but as time goes on, it’s almost guaranteed that things will get worse and pain will become more intense. Thankfully, you have some options to slow its progression.
Schedule a No-Charge,
No-Obligation Screening.
Call Now 833-300-5633
Call Now
833-300-5633