Sunday, July 28, 2013

Knee Arthritis


Knee arthritis mostly affects people who are over 50 years. It is also common in people who are overweight. Weight loss tends to reduce the symptoms associated with this disorder. Heredity is said to be one of the factors that contributes to this condition. This disease has been found to run in families. Other factors that contribute to this problem include trauma to the knee and meniscus tears. Ligament damage and fractures to the bone around the joint are other probable causes of this disease.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of this disease. Osteoarthritis also referred to as degenerative joint disease is characterized by progressive wearing away of cartilage. Knee arthritis makes the cartilage to degenerate and this may leave the bone bare and exposed within the joint.

Symptoms of this disorder tend to progress as the condition worsens. The symptoms however do not progress steadily with time and therefore you may report good and bad months. Sometimes the symptoms may also fluctuate with the weather. Common symptoms of this condition include pain when going about various activities, limited range of motion as well as stiffness of the knee. Other symptoms are swelling of the joint, tenderness along the joint and deformity of the joint leading to knock-knees or bow legs.

Diagnosis of this disease involves a physical examination as well as the use of x-rays. The first findings are normally used as a basis for evaluating future examinations. They are also used to determine the progression of the disease. Treatment of knee arthritis can be through weight loss, walking aids, physical therapy, cortisone injections as well as total knee replacement surgery.

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