Knee arthritis: Difference between revisions

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

CSV import
CSV import
 
Line 1: Line 1:
== Knee Arthritis ==
{{SI}}
 
{{Infobox medical condition
[[File:Blausen_0597_KneeAnatomy_Side.png|thumb|right|Diagram of knee anatomy]]
| name            = Knee arthritis
 
| image          = [[File:Blausen_0597_KneeAnatomy_Side.png|250px]]
| caption        = Diagram of the knee joint
| field          = [[Rheumatology]], [[Orthopedics]]
| symptoms        = [[Joint pain]], [[stiffness]], [[swelling]]
| complications  = [[Reduced mobility]], [[joint deformity]]
| onset          = Gradual
| duration        = Long-term
| types          = [[Osteoarthritis]], [[Rheumatoid arthritis]], [[Post-traumatic arthritis]]
| causes          = [[Age]], [[obesity]], [[joint injury]], [[genetics]]
| risks          = [[Age]], [[obesity]], [[previous joint injury]], [[family history]]
| diagnosis      = [[Physical examination]], [[X-ray]], [[MRI]]
| differential    = [[Bursitis]], [[tendonitis]], [[gout]]
| prevention      = [[Weight management]], [[exercise]], [[joint protection]]
| treatment      = [[Physical therapy]], [[medication]], [[surgery]]
| medication      = [[NSAIDs]], [[corticosteroids]], [[analgesics]]
| prognosis      = Variable, depends on severity and treatment
| frequency      = Common, especially in older adults
}}
'''Knee arthritis''' is a degenerative joint disease that affects the knee joint, leading to pain, swelling, and reduced mobility. It is one of the most common forms of [[arthritis]] and can significantly impact a person's quality of life.
'''Knee arthritis''' is a degenerative joint disease that affects the knee joint, leading to pain, swelling, and reduced mobility. It is one of the most common forms of [[arthritis]] and can significantly impact a person's quality of life.
== Anatomy of the Knee ==
== Anatomy of the Knee ==
The [[knee joint]] is a complex structure that connects the [[femur]] (thigh bone) to the [[tibia]] (shin bone). The [[patella]] (kneecap) sits in front of the joint to provide protection. The ends of these bones are covered with [[articular cartilage]], which allows smooth movement and acts as a cushion to absorb shock.
The [[knee joint]] is a complex structure that connects the [[femur]] (thigh bone) to the [[tibia]] (shin bone). The [[patella]] (kneecap) sits in front of the joint to provide protection. The ends of these bones are covered with [[articular cartilage]], which allows smooth movement and acts as a cushion to absorb shock.
== Types of Knee Arthritis ==
== Types of Knee Arthritis ==
There are several types of arthritis that can affect the knee:
There are several types of arthritis that can affect the knee:
=== Osteoarthritis ===
=== Osteoarthritis ===
[[Osteoarthritis]] is the most common form of knee arthritis. It is a degenerative condition characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in the knee joint. As the cartilage wears away, bones begin to rub against each other, causing pain and stiffness.
[[Osteoarthritis]] is the most common form of knee arthritis. It is a degenerative condition characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in the knee joint. As the cartilage wears away, bones begin to rub against each other, causing pain and stiffness.
=== Rheumatoid Arthritis ===
=== Rheumatoid Arthritis ===
[[Rheumatoid arthritis]] is an autoimmune disease that can affect the knee joint. It causes inflammation of the synovial membrane, leading to pain and swelling. Over time, it can damage the cartilage and bone within the joint.
[[Rheumatoid arthritis]] is an autoimmune disease that can affect the knee joint. It causes inflammation of the synovial membrane, leading to pain and swelling. Over time, it can damage the cartilage and bone within the joint.
=== Post-Traumatic Arthritis ===
=== Post-Traumatic Arthritis ===
Post-traumatic arthritis can develop after an injury to the knee, such as a fracture or ligament tear. The injury can cause damage to the cartilage, leading to arthritis over time.
Post-traumatic arthritis can develop after an injury to the knee, such as a fracture or ligament tear. The injury can cause damage to the cartilage, leading to arthritis over time.
== Symptoms ==
== Symptoms ==
Common symptoms of knee arthritis include:
Common symptoms of knee arthritis include:
* Pain and tenderness in the knee
* Pain and tenderness in the knee
* Swelling and inflammation
* Swelling and inflammation
Line 34: Line 38:
* Reduced range of motion
* Reduced range of motion
* A grating sensation or popping sounds during movement
* A grating sensation or popping sounds during movement
== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==
Diagnosis of knee arthritis typically involves a combination of:
Diagnosis of knee arthritis typically involves a combination of:
* Medical history and physical examination
* Medical history and physical examination
* Imaging tests such as [[X-ray]] or [[MRI]] to assess joint damage
* Imaging tests such as [[X-ray]] or [[MRI]] to assess joint damage
* Laboratory tests to rule out other types of arthritis
* Laboratory tests to rule out other types of arthritis
== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Treatment for knee arthritis aims to relieve symptoms and improve function. Options include:
Treatment for knee arthritis aims to relieve symptoms and improve function. Options include:
* [[Physical therapy]] to strengthen muscles around the knee
* [[Physical therapy]] to strengthen muscles around the knee
* Medications such as [[NSAIDs]] to reduce pain and inflammation
* Medications such as [[NSAIDs]] to reduce pain and inflammation
* Corticosteroid injections for severe inflammation
* Corticosteroid injections for severe inflammation
* [[Surgery]], such as [[knee replacement]], for advanced cases
* [[Surgery]], such as [[knee replacement]], for advanced cases
== Prevention ==
== Prevention ==
Preventive measures for knee arthritis include:
Preventive measures for knee arthritis include:
* Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce stress on the knee joint
* Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce stress on the knee joint
* Regular exercise to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility
* Regular exercise to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility
* Avoiding high-impact activities that can damage the knee
* Avoiding high-impact activities that can damage the knee
 
== See also ==
== Related Pages ==
 
* [[Arthritis]]
* [[Arthritis]]
* [[Osteoarthritis]]
* [[Osteoarthritis]]
* [[Rheumatoid arthritis]]
* [[Rheumatoid arthritis]]
* [[Knee replacement]]
* [[Knee replacement]]
{{Arthritis}}
{{Arthritis}}
[[Category:Arthritis]]
[[Category:Arthritis]]
[[Category:Knee]]
[[Category:Knee]]

Latest revision as of 01:07, 8 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Knee arthritis
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Joint pain, stiffness, swelling
Complications Reduced mobility, joint deformity
Onset Gradual
Duration Long-term
Types Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Post-traumatic arthritis
Causes Age, obesity, joint injury, genetics
Risks Age, obesity, previous joint injury, family history
Diagnosis Physical examination, X-ray, MRI
Differential diagnosis Bursitis, tendonitis, gout
Prevention Weight management, exercise, joint protection
Treatment Physical therapy, medication, surgery
Medication NSAIDs, corticosteroids, analgesics
Prognosis Variable, depends on severity and treatment
Frequency Common, especially in older adults
Deaths N/A


Knee arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects the knee joint, leading to pain, swelling, and reduced mobility. It is one of the most common forms of arthritis and can significantly impact a person's quality of life.

Anatomy of the Knee[edit]

The knee joint is a complex structure that connects the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone). The patella (kneecap) sits in front of the joint to provide protection. The ends of these bones are covered with articular cartilage, which allows smooth movement and acts as a cushion to absorb shock.

Types of Knee Arthritis[edit]

There are several types of arthritis that can affect the knee:

Osteoarthritis[edit]

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of knee arthritis. It is a degenerative condition characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in the knee joint. As the cartilage wears away, bones begin to rub against each other, causing pain and stiffness.

Rheumatoid Arthritis[edit]

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can affect the knee joint. It causes inflammation of the synovial membrane, leading to pain and swelling. Over time, it can damage the cartilage and bone within the joint.

Post-Traumatic Arthritis[edit]

Post-traumatic arthritis can develop after an injury to the knee, such as a fracture or ligament tear. The injury can cause damage to the cartilage, leading to arthritis over time.

Symptoms[edit]

Common symptoms of knee arthritis include:

  • Pain and tenderness in the knee
  • Swelling and inflammation
  • Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting for long periods
  • Reduced range of motion
  • A grating sensation or popping sounds during movement

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of knee arthritis typically involves a combination of:

  • Medical history and physical examination
  • Imaging tests such as X-ray or MRI to assess joint damage
  • Laboratory tests to rule out other types of arthritis

Treatment[edit]

Treatment for knee arthritis aims to relieve symptoms and improve function. Options include:

Prevention[edit]

Preventive measures for knee arthritis include:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce stress on the knee joint
  • Regular exercise to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility
  • Avoiding high-impact activities that can damage the knee

See also[edit]