Knee Osteoarthritis

What is Knee Osteoarthritis?

Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes knee pain, swelling, and stiffness. It is one of the most common knee conditions for the elderly, often explained as a “wear and tear” problem, and can severely impact their quality of life. Knee osteoarthritis occurs when there is a loss of articular cartilage within the knee, causing the joint space within the knee to narrow and eventually lead to bone-on-bone grinding during movement. As the condition progresses, bony spurs will develop and patients are often able to feel these painful bony lumps around the knee joint.

It’s important to note that not everyone who experiences osteoarthritis in their knees has experienced a traumatic injury or overuse of the joint. Some people simply have a genetic predisposition to developing knee osteoarthritis as they age.

Causes of Knee Osteoarthritis

The knee joint is made up of two bones: the femur (thighbone) and the tibia (shinbone). There is also cartilage lining at each articulating end of the bone that allows for smooth movement. The knee joint has a small amount of fluid that lubricates the joints and helps keep them healthy. When the cartilage becomes worn out or damaged, the bones start to rub against one another and result in inflammation and pain.

Risk factors of Knee Osteoarthritis

There are 2 kinds of osteoarthritis, primary and secondary osteoarthritis. Primary osteoarthritis is the typical “wear and tear” of the joint due to age, whereas secondary osteoarthritis is caused by other factors.

Risk factors of osteoarthritis include the following:

Age > 60
Gender (women are more likely than men to have osteoarthritis)
Family history of osteoarthritis
History of joint injury or surgery
Obesity or being overweight
Knock knees or bow legs
Repetitive stress on joints (such as from sports)

Signs and Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis

Signs and symptoms of knee osteoarthritis include:

Pain and swelling of the knees
Stiffness of the knee, especially in the morning or after long periods of sitting
Locking or clicking sensation in the knees
Difficulty climbing stairs
Pain increases after activity