Osteoarthritis of the knee is a degenerative joint disease that affects the cartilage in the knee joint. It can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the knee, making it difficult to perform daily activities. Treatment options include pain management, physical therapy, and in severe cases, surgery. Maintaining a normal body weight and performing non-weight bearing exercises regularly is important to help prevent or manage knee osteoarthritis.
What is osteoarthritis of the knee?
In osteoarthritis of the knee, the cartilage in the joint erodes, allowing the bones to rub against each other. This produces pain, stiffness, and at times swelling. Although it was known that the damage cannot be reversed, but now there are treatments which can rebuild the cartilage or treatments can slow its cartilage degeneration and mitigate the symptoms. For cases of more severe osteoarthritis, surgery may be a viable option.
How common is osteoarthritis of the knee?
Osteoarthritis of the knee is exceptionally usual. About 46% of individuals will suffer from osteoarthritis during their life spans.
Who is affected by osteoarthritis of the knee?
SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES
What causes osteoarthritis of the knee?
Osteoarthritis of the knee is caused by the natural wear and tear of the knee joint over time due to ageing, repeated stress on the joint, or injury. Your cartilage is like your car’s shock absorber, protecting your car from bumps and jolts. Drive on lots of rough roads, and your shocks wear out fast. Drive on easy streets, and your shocks last longer. You can wear out or damage your knee joint cartilage if:
• You damage your knee or have an old knee injury.
• You commonly put pressure on your knee at work or playing sports.
• You acquired a propensity to create osteoarthritis of the knee.
• You have bowed bones or joints, for example, having knock knees or bow legs
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee?
• Your knee appears swollen or seems puffy.
• When you move your knee, you hear a popping or grinding sound.
• Your knee feels unsteady as if it could give way or “give out”.
• Your knee may become blocked or appear to be stuck.

DIAGNOSIS
How is osteoarthritis of the knee diagnosed?
Your medical services supplier will do a physical assessment and inquire as to your clinical history. The physical examination may incorporate checks to decide the following:
• If you have an indication of injury to your knee.
• The degree to which you can move your knee; is called your scope of movement.
• If your knee feels ‘unstable’, which could mean your joint is not secure.
• How you walk, on the off chance that you have a gait issue that influences your knee; a gait issue is the point at which you don’t walk as you would regularly.
TESTS
What tests do healthcare providers use to diagnose this condition?
MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT
How do you treat osteoarthritis of the knee?
Non-surgical treatments include:
• Doing physical therapy.
• Keeping a good weight.
• Wearing knee support.
• Utilizing orthotics, for example, insoles or exceptional shoes.
• Cortisone (steroid) infusions.
• Viscosupplementation.
• Correction of knee deformity.
Surgical treatments include:
Sound cartilage is utilized to fill a crevice in your cartilage.
• Knee osteotomy.
• Partial knee replacement.
• Total knee replacement.