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DISEASE AWARENESS PAGE FOR R3 STEM CELL – KNEE ARTHRITIS
Arthritis is a serious inflammatory medical condition that affects the joints of the body. Knee arthritis is an especially common cause of pain in the knee. The knee can be affected by almost any type of arthritis as there are about a hundred types, however, there are a few types that are very common to the knee. Knee arthritis causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the knee, making it difficult to carry out many daily activities like going up and down a flight of stairs, and even taking a step is difficult.
The most common types of arthritis known to affect the knee are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, juvenile arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lyme disease-related arthritis, gouty arthritis or reactive arthritis. Arthritis due to mechanical damage are osteoarthritis and post-traumatic arthritis. Arthritis due to various autoimmune forms include rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile arthritis. Arthritis due to infections are lyme disease-related arthritis and gouty arthritis. A few of them are discussed below:
Osteoarthritis: the most common type of knee arthritis is osteoarthritis. It results when the cartilages that cushion the effect of bone rubbing against bone wear out. When this happens, the bones of the knee joint begin to rub against each other causing formation of bone spurs on the ends of the bones. Osteoarthritis develops gradually, with the pain it causes worsening over time.
Rheumatoid arthritis: this is a symmetrical type of knee arthritis, i.e. it affects the same joint on both sides of the body. It is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is caused by the immune system attacking and destroying tissues of the body including ligaments, cartilages and bones, instead of protecting them. The synovial membrane covering the knee joint starts to swell, resulting in stiffness and pain.
Post-traumatic arthritis: this type of arthritis is usually a result of old injuries that have happened years back. Injuries or tears to the knee joint in time past can lead to arthritis later in future.
Gouty arthritis: this is a form of arthritis resulting from the deposition of uric acid in the joints, including the knee joint. Uric acid is formed as a waste product when the body breaks down tissue. Uric acid crystals behave like tiny needles to the knee joint and so can cause inflammation, swelling and pain. When arthritis occurs in a single joint of the lower limbs with a rapid onset, gouty arthritis is highly suggested.
Lyme disease-related arthritis: in the occurrence of lyme disease, the knee joint is often the first joint to be affected. It is caused by the spirochete bacteria when it invades the knee joint and causes inflammation of the tissue lining it.
Knee arthritis is very prevalent among people older than the age of 50. The following puts one at a higher risk of developing knee arthritis:
Age: you are prone to developing knee arthritis if you are 40 years or older. This is because joints get worn-out overtime, and bones, cartilages, and ligaments are not as strong as when one was younger. Also, the ability of cartilage to heal decreases with age.
Sex: knee arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis, is commoner and more severe in women.
Weight: being overweight puts extra pressure on the joints and can worsen joint problems. Weight loss has been confirmed to reduce the intensity of pain associated with knee arthritis.
Family history: a family history of the condition puts you at a higher risk of developing knee arthritis.
Other risk factors include:
A person with knee arthritis generally feels pain as a result of inflammation of the knee joint. The pain usually intensifies as the condition worsens, although it can occur suddenly too. Other symptoms of knee arthritis include:
Redness and warmth over the area are suggestive of gouty arthritis, however these can occur with almost any type of arthritis depending on the extent of inflammation.
There is no cure for knee arthritis, however, the condition can be well managed with a variety of treatment options. Just talk to doctor on which option is best for you. Treatment options for knee arthritis can be categorized into the following: home remedies, alternative therapies, medications and surgery.
Home remedies: Home remedies are usually suitable for the early stages of knee arthritis, i.e. stages when the symptoms are still less intense. however, you should still go for checkups to confirm the symptoms are not from more threatening conditions. Examples of home remedies for knee arthritis include:
Alternative therapies: Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, balneotherapy, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation might also help provide relief from pain and other symptoms. These methods, however, have not been corroborated with evidence for all people with arthritis.
Medication: Medication is usually resorted to if the previous treatment options do not improve condition. Medication that can be taken include: duloxetine (an antidepressant that may help with chronic pain), capsaicin (from pepper, is present in some creams and ointments), risedronate (a treatment for osteoporosis, but may help preserve cartilage), and hyaluronic acid injections (increase the viscosity of synovial fluid, and may help with osteoarthritis).
Surgery: Knee surgery is generally the last resort for knee arthritis. Examples of surgery carried out include: arthroscopy, cartilage grafting, and total or partial knee replacements.
Here are answers to many of the frequently asked questions we receive.
Arthritis can be classified into several types. Osteoarthritis is caused by the normal aging process of the body, or could be a result of injury.
Rheumatoid arthritis, the most common type of arthritis, happens due to autoimmune problems, wherein the body’s own immune system attacks healthy cells of the body. Infectious arthritis is caused by an infection to the joint. Patients with psoriasis may be affected by Psoriatic arthritis. Finally, excessive uric acid in the body can cause Gout, an arthritis that often starts at the toe.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory form of arthritis. This disease causes chronic inflammation of the joints and can lead to deterioration of a variety of systems in the body. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the lining of the membrane around the joints known as the synovium, which causes inflammation that thickens the synovium and ultimately deforms the cartilage and bone of the joints.
How common is it and who is at risk?
An estimated one percent of the entire world population suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. As the case with osteoarthritis, women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. Other groups at risk are people middle-aged or older as well as those suffering from obesity. Rheumatoid arthritis risk is inheritable, which may be accelerated by smoking or unknown environmental exposures.
Signs of the disease include swollen, tender joints that may feel stiff, particularly in the mornings. Fever, fatigue, and loss of activity are also common symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis tends to manifest initially in the smaller joints like those in the fingers and toes. Symptoms are exhibited in joints of other body parts as the disease spreads.
Diagnosis begins with a physical test checking for redness, warmth, and swelling as well as the state of reflexes in the affected joints. Multiple blood tests are conducted as people with rheumatoid arthritis usually have elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates and C-reactive protein levels. Additionally, X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds are conducted to track the spread of the disease.
While no cure exists as of now, research has revealed that the symptoms may be controlled by early application of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Steroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed depending on the case. Exercises to retain joint flexibility also provide some relief. If medications fail to slow down the disease, doctors may recommend surgery to repair or replace joints or swollen tendons.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory form of arthritis. This disease causes chronic inflammation of the joints and can lead to deterioration of a variety of systems in the body. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the lining of the membrane around the joints known as the synovium, which causes inflammation that thickens the synovium and ultimately deforms the cartilage and bone of the joints.
How common is it and who is at risk?
An estimated one percent of the entire world population suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. As the case with osteoarthritis, women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. Other groups at risk are people middle-aged or older as well as those suffering from obesity. Rheumatoid arthritis risk is inheritable, which may be accelerated by smoking or unknown environmental exposures.
Signs of the disease include swollen, tender joints that may feel stiff, particularly in the mornings. Fever, fatigue, and loss of activity are also common symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis tends to manifest initially in the smaller joints like those in the fingers and toes. Symptoms are exhibited in joints of other body parts as the disease spreads.
Diagnosis begins with a physical test checking for redness, warmth, and swelling as well as the state of reflexes in the affected joints. Multiple blood tests are conducted as people with rheumatoid arthritis usually have elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates and C-reactive protein levels. Additionally, X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds are conducted to track the spread of the disease.
While no cure exists as of now, research has revealed that the symptoms may be controlled by early application of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Steroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed depending on the case. Exercises to retain joint flexibility also provide some relief. If medications fail to slow down the disease, doctors may recommend surgery to repair or replace joints or swollen tendons.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis within kids. It is characterized by persistent pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. The disease occurs when the body’s own tissues are attacked by its cells. In some cases, it can create more serious complications such as growth problems and eye inflammation.
It is the most common form of arthritis diagnosed in children under the age of sixteen. Certain gene mutations can make the body more vulnerable to the external environment, which can result in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis occurring. Although reasons are unknown, girls are more susceptible to Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis than boys.
Commonplace symptoms include joint pain or a limp caused by the pain, swelling of joints and stiffness of the joints that results in clumsiness by the child. In some cases, the disease can manifest as high fever and rashes.
Diagnosis for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis is difficult as the pain and swelling in the joints could be attributed to a number of diseases. Quite a few blood tests are conducted to determine the status of markers like erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein levels, and quantity of anti-nuclear bodies, among others. However, many children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis show no abnormalities in these tests.
The treatment for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis is geared towards making sure the child can maintain a regular level of physical activity. This can include different types of medication like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and swelling or disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in more severe cases. Biologic agents may be recommended to help prevent joint damage. Physical therapy can also help the child maintain a full range of motion with or without joint supports or splints based on the situation. Surgery is the most extreme option used to improve the position of the affected joint.
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