Knee Osteoarthritis and Mobility: Recognizing Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms
According to the World Health Organization, knee osteoarthritis is a common condition estimated to affect as many as 365 million people worldwide. It is a degenerative disease that develops as cartilage in the knee joints gradually wears down over time.
While knee osteoarthritis can cause significant discomfort if left untreated, the condition can be managed effectively. Overcoming knee osteoarthritis involves recognizing the key symptoms, understanding the risk factors, and pursuing effective long-term management strategies.
What are the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis in the Knees?
Osteoarthritis of the knee typically manifests with specific symptoms. These symptoms include the following:
- Pain: Osteoarthritis pain is often described as a deep ache in the knee joint. It can be aggravated by activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or prolonged standing. The pain may worsen after inactivity, such as waking up in the morning or sitting for prolonged periods.
- Stiffness: People with knee osteoarthritis often experience stiffness in the affected joint, especially after long stretches of rest or inactivity. This stiffness usually improves with movement.
- Swelling: Osteoarthritis can cause swelling around the knee joint. This swelling, commonly called "water on the knee, " might be accompanied by warmth and tenderness.
- Limited Range of Motion: As osteoarthritis progresses, it can reduce the knee joint's range of motion, making it difficult to fully extend or bend the knee.
What Causes Osteoarthritis in the Knees?
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage separating the femur and tibia in the knee joint progressively wears down. While the precise cause is unknown, several risk factors have been identified:
- Age: Osteoarthritis becomes more common as individuals age. The wear and tear on the joint accumulate over time, leading to cartilage degeneration.
- Obesity: Excess weight stresses the knee joint, accelerating the wear of the cartilage.
- Joint Injury: A previous knee injury, such as a torn ligament or meniscus, can increase the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis in the affected joint.
- Hereditary Factors: Some individuals may be genetically predisposed to developing osteoarthritis.
How Do Osteoarthritis Symptoms Affect the Knees?
The knee is a modified hinge joint, connecting the thighbone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia) and the kneecap (patella). It consists of ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and muscles that work together to provide stability and mobility during walking.
During walking, the knees act as shock absorbers, distributing the body's weight evenly across the legs. This weight distribution helps to reduce the impact on other joints, such as the hips and ankles, minimizing the risk of injuries. The knees are instrumental in maintaining balance, stability, and coordination while moving forward.
When the knee is aligned properly, these ligaments work together to provide stability and control during movement. However, knee osteoarthritis can destabilize the knee by causing changes in the alignment of the bones and ligaments. This abnormality can result in excessive movement of the femur and tibia, leading to instability.
Why Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms Increase Falling Risk
While knee osteoarthritis can be a painful and frustrating condition, it can also be dangerous if unmanaged.
Knee osteoarthritis causes progressive deterioration of cartilage tissue, compromising the knee’s function and making it less stable. Factors that contribute to the destabilization of the knee include the following:
- Decreased range of motion: One of the earliest symptoms of knee osteoarthritis is a decrease in range of motion. As the cartilage in the knee wears down, it becomes less flexible, making it difficult to fully extend or bend the knee. This decreased range of motion can hinder the stability of the knee, as the muscles, ligaments, and bones have to work overtime to maintain the joint's position.
- Increased joint stiffness: Another symptom that can increase the risk of falling is increased joint stiffness. This stiffness can make it difficult for the knee to move smoothly, leading to instability during movement. The increased stiffness may cause the knee to give way or feel "wobbly" during everyday activities, such as walking, climbing stairs, or squatting.
- Loss of muscle strength: Knee osteoarthritis can also lead to a loss of muscle strength in the legs. The weakening of the muscles around the knee, such as the quadriceps and hamstrings, can further contribute to instability.
- Increased risk of arthritis in other joints: Knee osteoarthritis commonly affects only one knee. However, it can often lead to the development of arthritis in other joints, such as the hips or ankles. When these joints become arthritic, they can contribute to overall instability in the lower limbs.
Texas Knee Institute: Providing Minimally Invasive Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Proper knee care and treatment for osteoarthritis symptoms are essential to preserving your knees’ health and functionality. Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is among the most effective long-term symptom management solutions.
At Texas Knee Institute, our specialists are dedicated to providing exceptional treatment for knee osteoarthritis. If you have questions about GAE or knee osteoarthritis symptoms, please get in touch with our helpful team to schedule an evaluation todayschedule an evaluation todayschedule an evaluation today.
