Arthritis of the knee
A common type of joint pain is arthritis caused by damaged cartilage – the three most common types of which are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis. The most prominent symptom of knee arthritis is pain – everyday activities such as walking, driving, lifting, standing or simple exercising can become extremely painful or even impossible.
Common forms of arthritis:
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis arising from the erosion of the joint through the daily wear and tear of cartilage. Without this protection, the bones rub together causing pain, stiffness and instability. Patients may also often develop large bone spurs or ‘osteophytes’ around the joint, further limiting their range of motion.
Sufferers of early-stage osteoarthritis often notice pain at the beginning of a movement or during the first few minutes of exercise. Once activity gets underway, the pain usually diminishes, although it is likely to increase again after resting for several minutes. As the condition worsens, pain may be present even at rest. Symptoms are generally aggravated even further in cold or wet conditions. It is a degenerative and chronic condition, which means that it will never get better and in fact is likely to become worse over time.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition where the body’s immune system attacks the joints causing inflammation and pain. The synovium (lining of the joints) swells and joints become stiff and harder to move, especially early in the morning. Sometimes lumps can appear under the skin near the joints (rheumatoid nodules). Over time, muscles around the joint waste away, as well as cartilage and bone, leaving only fibrous scar tissue. The average onset age is between 35-45 years and the disease often runs in families. There is no known cure for RA, although various treatments can help ease symptoms.
Post-traumatic arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis can occur after an injury to the joint, such as a fracture, which causes damage to the articular cartilage. Sometimes the damaged cartilage needs to be surgically removed or it wears away naturally. Symptoms can include swelling, pain, tenderness, joint instability and internal bleeding.
Important: The information and guidance provided here is general in nature and should not be considered as medical advice in any way. You should always seek detailed advice from a qualified medical practitioner.
