Knee Arthritis
What is knee arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis of the knee.
This is a degenerative, wear-and-tear arthritis that occurs most often in people aged 50 and over, although younger people can also develop it.
Arthritis causes the cartilage in the knee to gradually wear down and thin.
As the cartilage wears away, it becomes rough, which means the knee cannot move as smoothly as it usually would and may be painful and stiff.
People of all ages can develop arthritis, including arthritis of the knee. If you are 50 or older, you are at a higher risk of developing knee arthritis.
Women are more likely than men to develop knee arthritis.
Other types of knee arthritis that Dr Markham treats include rheumatoid arthritis (auto-immune condition of the joints) where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints leaving pain, swelling and joint deformity.
He also treats post-traumatic arthritis – caused by fracture or ligament tear that can lead to development of arthritis over time.
Psoriatic arthritis (which impacts people with skin arthritis), as well as septic arthritis (infection in the joint) and gout (painful crystal build up in the joint), are all conditions Dr Markham can help to treat. .
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis of the knee.
This is a degenerative, wear-and-tear arthritis that occurs most often in people aged 50 and over, although younger people can also develop it.
Arthritis causes the cartilage in the knee to gradually wear down and thin.
As the cartilage wears away, it becomes rough, which means the knee cannot move as smoothly as it usually would and may be painful and stiff.
People of all ages can develop arthritis, including arthritis of the knee. If you are 50 or older, you are at a higher risk of developing knee arthritis.
Women are more likely than men to develop knee arthritis.
Other types of knee arthritis that Dr Markham treats include rheumatoid arthritis (auto-immune condition of the joints) where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints leaving pain, swelling and joint deformity.
He also treats post-traumatic arthritis – caused by fracture or ligament tear that can lead to development of arthritis over time.
Psoriatic arthritis (which impacts people with skin arthritis), as well as septic arthritis (infection in the joint) and gout (painful crystal build up in the joint), are all conditions Dr Markham can help to treat. .
How is Australia impacted by knee arthritis?
- In 2021–22, 53,500 knee replacements and 35,500 hip replacements were performed in hospitalisations with a principal diagnosis of osteoarthritis (210 and 140 hospitalisations per 100,000 population, respectively).
Which famous people have had a knee replacement?
- Famous athletes who have had knee replacement surgery: Tiger Woods, Wayde van Nierkerk (runner), Joe Namath (superbowl), and Jane Fonda (actress and aerobics star) .
What are the symptoms of knee arthritis?
Arthritis usually develops slowly, and the pain it causes increases over time, but it can also come on suddenly. There are other symptoms as well:
- Joints may become stiff and swollen, making bending and straightening the knee difficult.
- The pain and swelling may worsen in the morning or after sitting or resting.
- Redness of the skin.
- Strenuous activity may cause the pain to increase.
- Loose cartilage fragments and other tissue can interfere with the joint’s smooth movement. During movement, the knee may creak, click, pop, or grind (friction sound).
- Pain may result in a feeling of weakness or knee bending.
- Many people with arthritis find that joint pain worsens as the weather changes.
What causes knee arthritis?
- Age. The ability of cartilage to heal decreases with age.
- Weight. Weight increases stress on all joints, especially the knees.
- Heredity. A strong family history of knee arthritis may make a person more likely to cause arthritis.
- Gender. Women 55 years and older are more likely than men to develop knee arthritis.
- Repetitive stress injuries. People in certain occupations are required to do a lot of activities that stress their joints, and they are more likely to develop knee arthritis due to the constant joint tension.
- Sports. Athletes who play football and tennis or run long distances may be at higher risk of knee arthritis.
Regular moderate exercise builds joint strength and reduces the risk of arthritis. Muscle weakness around the knee can lead to arthritis. - Other Diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common form of arthritis, and people who have it are also more likely to develop arthritis.
- Metabolic disorders are also more likely to develop arthritis.
- Injuries. Injuries to the knee can lead to knee arthritis.
How is knee arthritis diagnosed?
- Dr Markham will discuss your symptoms and medical history with you, perform a physical examination, and order diagnostic tests such as X-rays or blood tests to confirm the condition.
- Sometimes, Dr Markham will order a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test or a Computed Tomography (CT) scan for further specific confirmation.
What are the treatment options for knee arthritis?
There is no cure for arthritis, but there are several treatments that can help relieve the pain and disability it causes.
Non-surgical Treatments include
- Lifestyle changes (getting in and out of a car with both feet on the ground) .
- Physiotherapy
- Assistive devices
- Hot or cold compresses
- Wearing an elastic bandage to provide support for the knee may relieve pain
- Medications
- Alternative Therapies (Acupuncture)
- Injections
Surgical Treatments:
- Cartilage transplantation (cartilage repair). This procedure is usually reserved for younger patients with smaller areas of cartilage damage.
- Synovectomy. Remove the joint’s lining damaged by rheumatoid arthritis to reduce pain and swelling.
- Osteotomy. Osteotomy relieves pain and significantly improves the function of the arthritic knee by shifting your weight away from the damaged side of the joint.
- Total or partial (unicondylar) knee replacement (arthroplasty). The surgeon will remove the damaged cartilage and bone and then place a new metal or plastic joint surface to restore function to the knee.
How long does it take to recover from a knee arthritis surgery?
- After any knee arthritis surgery, it takes a period to recover.
- Recovery time and rehabilitation depend on the type of surgery.
- Your doctor may recommend physical therapy to help you regain strength and range of motion in your knee. Depending on the surgery, you may need to wear a knee brace, crutches or a cane for a while.
- Studies have shown up to 80% of knee replacements last up to 25 years.
