Whether you're a high-performance athlete or someone who works a desk job, your knees take a great deal of stress, and always have throughout the course of your entire life. This being the case, it's no wonder that knee arthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis. In fact, around 14 million adults in the United States alone suffer from symptomatic osteoarthritis in the knees.
Knee arthritis can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort, making it difficult to perform even the simplest tasks. Dr. Trevor Turner and his team are passionate about educating their patients on conditions like arthritis that can affect their quality of life, and on the treatment options available that can help.
I Have Arthritis. What's Going On in My Knees?
There are actually several different types of arthritis, but the most common form that affects the knee is known as osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones breaks down over time. This can happen for a number of reasons, including:
- Wear and tear from everyday activities: Every time you take a step, the cartilage in your knees absorbs some of the impact. Over time, this constant wear and tear can cause the cartilage to break down.
- njury: A traumatic injury, such as a sports injury or car accident, can damage the cartilage in your knees and lead to arthritis.
- Being overweight: Excess weight puts additional stress on the cartilage in your knees, which can lead to its breakdown.
- Other conditions: Some other conditions, such as gout, can also lead to the development of knee arthritis.
The other common type of arthritis that affects the knees is known as rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means that it occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, causing inflammation. This can lead to a breakdown of the cartilage and bone in the joints, as well as a build-up of fluid in the joints.
What Are the Most Common Knee Arthritis Symptoms?
The most common symptom of knee arthritis is pain. This pain may be mild at first, but it can become more severe over time. Other common symptoms include:
- Stiffness: You may find it difficult to bend or straighten your knee.
- Swelling: The joint may swell and feel warm to the touch.
- Redness: The skin around the joint may become red and inflamed.
- Crunching: You may hear a crunching sound when you move your knee.
- Weakness: You may feel weak or unstable when you try to put weight on your knee.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to see an orthopedic specialist like Dr. Turner so that they can properly diagnose and treat your condition.
What Kinds of Arthritis Knee Pain Treatment Are Available?
There are a number of different treatment options available for knee arthritis. The best course of treatment will vary depending on the severity of your symptoms and the underlying cause of your arthritis.
The first step in treating knee arthritis is to try to relieve the pain and inflammation. This can be done with improving one’s diet and sleep habits, correcting muscle imbalances with a coach or physical therapist, using over-the-counter or prescription medications, taking supplements, as well heat therapy.
If these initial measures don't provide relief, there are a number of other options that can be considered. These include:
- Orthobiologic injections:Orthobiologics are treatments that can be injected into the joint to help promote healing. Dr. Turner is proud to provide options like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and BMAC (bone marrow aspirate concentrate) stem cell therapy to help his patients find relief.
- Hyaluronic acid injections: Hyaluronic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in the joint. It helps to lubricate and cushion the joint, which can help to reduce pain and inflammation. For patients with knee arthritis, hyaluronic acid injections can provide significant relief for an average of 6 months without the side effects of steroids.
- Surgery: While Dr. Turner is passionate about providing minimally-invasive relief whenever possible, knee surgery for arthritis may be necessary for some patients to repair or replace the damaged joint. Dr. Turner partners with board-certified orthopedic surgeons who perform outpatient joint replacement surgery in an accredited ambulatory surgery center.
It's important to seek treatment so that you can relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life as soon as possible. Dr. Trevor Turner and his team are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of knee arthritis. They will work with you to create a customized treatment plan that is tailored to meet your individual needs.
If you’re living with knee arthritis and struggling with chronic pain, contact Dr. Trevor Turner and his team. With years of experience providing osteoarthritis knee treatment, Dr. Turner uses the most advanced techniques and technology available to help his patients achieve the best possible outcomes.
If you’re ready to find relief for your knee arthritis pain, don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Turner and get started on your road to recovery.
