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OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE 

WHAT IS IT?

Osteoarthritis of the knee (OA knee) is a debilitating pathology which progresses with age. The main injury is to the articular cartilage inside the joint which becomes worn and torn in response to prolonged activity. Symptoms associated with OA knee include pain inside the joint, stiffness, dificullty walking, pain whilst climbing or going down stairs and swollen joints.

What are the Symptoms of Osteoarthrits?

 

There are a number of symptoms which help to diagnose osteoarthrits of the knee.

 

  • Pain which you feel inside the knee joint is on of the main features arthritic damage. This pain can be both sharp or a dull aching pain which gets worse during activity.

 

  • Patients often complain of difficulty walking long distances or running due to the pain that they feel inside their knee.

 

  • Often in severe cases, the knee can become swollen and stiff to move; simple actvities such as getting up from a chair become more difficult because of this stiffness.

What causes Osteoarthritis?

 

There are a number of different factors which contribute to osteoarthritic pain. However, it is usually a combination of these issues which cause the injury to progress.

 

Age is major contributing factor to osteoarthritis. As we get older, our joints begin to show signs of wear and tear. This can be seen on an x-ray with narrowing of the space between bones. Above the age of 40, osteoarthritis becomes a lot more prevalent possibly due to the bodies inability to heal itself properly.

 

Gender is another factor which has been shown to contribute to osteoarthritis. Females are more likely to shown signs of osteoarthrits such as pain in their joints. We are not entirely sure why this happens, but it may be linked with factors such as muscle strength or balance.

 

Genetic factors are thought to play a part in the progression of osteoarthritis. If a member of your family suffers from osteoarthritic pain, then you may have an increased risk of developing this injury.

 

Previous injuries to your joints such as ligament or cartilage damage can be a predisposing factor for osteoarthritis. It is believed that the damage caused during such injuries effects the cartilage and bone tissue inside the joint resulting in OA.

 

Obesity is associated with some forms of arthritis. Increased weight may place additional strain on joints which leads to the long-term damage associated with osteoarthritis.

 

Occupation and lifestyle factors may also increase the risk of developing arthritis. Manual labour such as lifting, cleaning or construction can place large amounts of stress on joints. Similarly, long-term participation in high impact activities such as some sports or hobbies can cause damage to joints and lead to osteoarthritis.

What else can be done about Osteoarthritis?

 

There are a range of different measures that can be taken to help your osteoarthritis.

 

  • Exercise is one of the best ways of managaing osteoarthritis. Strengthening the joints can make then more stable and reduces episodes of instability or giving way.

 

  • Diet may also play a part in managing OA. Eating foods which are high in antiinflammatories such as those rich in Omega 3 oils may help to reduce arthritic symptoms.

 

  • Managing your weight may also help to reduce the strain placed on your joints. Having a high BMI may increase problems associated with osteoarthritis. Maintaining a good weight is part of leading a healthy lifestyle and managing arthritic pain.

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