Knee Osteoarthritis

• Pain is a leading feature and one of the most severe and disabling symptoms. It develops gradually over time, is intermittent and is associated with weight bearing. It improves when the knee is at rest and worsens after activities that stress the joint such as walking, climbing stairs or kneeling. As it progresses, pain can occur at night and interfere with sleep. The pain has been described as a dull ache, a sharp pain or a burning sensation.
• Stiffness is more pronounced after waking in the morning, and after sitting for extended periods. It typically lasts for a short time but can make initiating movement challenging.
• Swelling results from inflammation in the joint and makes the knee appear puffy or enlarged.
• Decreased range of motion appears as limited flexibility in the knee joint and difficulty fully straightening or bending the knee.
• Joint instability is a feeling the knee can give out or buckle under weight. It is often due to weakened muscles around the knee joint, or from structural damage in the joint.
• Deformity is a change in the shape or alignment of the knee. It results from cartilage loss, meniscus loss, bone spurs or other joint changes.
• Warmth in the knee is usually caused by inflammation.
• Grinding, popping and snapping sounds may occur with movement.
• Knobby knees. Hardening or thickening of the joint is due to bone spurs that can form around the joint and lead to enlarged or knobby knees.

Importantly, the severity of knee arthritis on imaging like X-rays, doesn’t always compare directly with symptoms severity. Some people with significant joint changes on imaging might only have mild symptoms, while others may have severe symptoms and minimal changes on X-rays.

Several factors contribute to the risk of developing knee arthritis:

• Age: The risk increases with age, reflecting accumulated stress on the joint and decreased ability for tissue repair.
• Sex: Females are at a higher risk than males, especially post-menopause.
• Genetics: Family history can play a role, indicating a genetic predisposition.
• Obesity: Increased body weight places additional strain on weight-bearing joints, particularly the knees.
• Joint Injury: Traumatic injuries can lead to the early onset of knee osteoarthritis. Examples include ACL injury, cartilage defects, and meniscal tears.
• Repetitive stress on the joint: Jobs and sports that require frequent kneeling, squatting, or heavy lifting can predispose individuals to knee arthritis.

Diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical evaluation and imaging studies. Your Hyper Regen Sports Medicine professional will obtain a detailed medical history including your symptoms, their duration and the progression of symptoms. They will inquire about a history of knee injuries, surgeries and other medical conditions that could impact the knee. Other information about daily activities, occupation, sports and any family history osteoarthritis can be relevant.

They will also perform a physical examination of the knee looking for swelling, warmth, tenderness and deformity, assess range of motion, and check for crepitus, a grating or grinding sensation. Muscle strength and joint stability will be evaluated.

X-rays will be ordered to show the typical changes caused by osteoarthritis, and MRI may be ordered to view details of the soft tissues if damage to these tissues is suspected as a cause for symptoms.