Knee osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that majorly affects the elderly, especially in their 50s. It is a form of joint disease that occurs when the soft protective cartilage in your knee wears down, causing friction between the bones. If you are looking for an orthopedic doctor in Attapur or the best orthopedic doctor in Hyderabad area, then this blog post has everything you need to know and understand before consulting your doctor.  

What is Knee Osteoarthritis?  

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a degenerative joint disease that typically occurs due to wear and tear of cartilage, a soft and flexible connective tissue that reduces friction and prevents the bones from rubbing together. The damaged cartilage causes the bones in your knee to rub against each other and results in pain, stiffness, or swelling in the knee.  

Millions of people are affected worldwide from osteoarthritis knee. While osteoarthritis knee is associated with old age, it is also common among young people such as athletes and those with traumatic injuries. Another thing to note is that 60% of osteoarthritis knee patients around the world are women.  

Osteoarthritis Knee Symptoms  

Though symptoms can vary with the person, knee pain is the most common sign of osteoarthritis knee. Your knee might hurt and feel stiff when you put pressure on it to stand or walk. Other common signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis knee include:  

• Swollen knee: You have swelling on or around the knee.  

• Noisy movement: You hear a crackling sound when you move your knee.  

• Grinding sensation: You experience a grinding feeling of your bones touching each other.  

• Stiffness: You feel stiffness in the knee, especially when you get up after sitting for a long time.  

• Reduced flexibility: Your joints are not as flexible as they used to be, limiting the movement of your leg.  

Causes of Osteoarthritis Knee  

The most common reasons why osteoarthritis knee affects people globally include, but are not limited to:  

• Older age: Osteoarthritis is an age-affecting disease which means the risk of osteoarthritis knee increases with age, especially after mid 50s.  

• Injuries or trauma: A previous knee injury or trauma to the joint bones due to sports injury or accident.  

• Sex: Though there is not enough research to prove it, more women (around 60%) suffer from osteoarthritis knee compared to men.  

• Stress injuries: Some people whose job involves excessive and repetitive activity such as heavy weightlifting, kneeling, squatting, etc., are prone to wear and tear of the knee cartilage.  

• Obesity: Being overweight puts a lot of pressure on the knee joints, leading to knee joint problems.  

• History of Orthopedic Issues: Having a bone-associated disease like rheumatoid arthritis or any other metabolic disorder such as hormonal imbalance.  

Diagnosis of Knee Osteoarthritis 

Firstly, the doctor will physically examine your knee for visible symptoms and may use a reflex hammer to test your deep tendon reflexes. After going through your medical history, the doctor may suggest an x-ray to clearly understand the stage of your bone joints and cartilage.  

If the x-ray doesn’t give a clear impression of the problem, your doctor will order an MRI scan.   

•  X-rays 

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan 

How is Knee Osteoarthritis Treated After Diagnosis?  

Depending on the diagnostic results and the severity of the issue, the doctors will suggest either a non-surgical or surgical treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee.  

Non-Surgical Treatment  

Non-surgical treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee ranges from medication to therapy to reverse the effects of osteoarthritis. The treatment is planned to reduce the problem by addressing the root cause.  

• Exercise  

• Physiotherapy 

• Weight loss  

• Topic pain relief ointments 

• Over-the-counter pain medication 

Surgical Treatment  

If the condition of the knee is worsening with time and the non-surgical methods are ineffective, your orthopedic surgeon will plan an osteoarthritis knee surgery. Depending on the exact problem, your doctor may suggest one of the following surgical procedures.  

• Partial knee replacement 

• Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) 

• Osteotomy (Knee bone reshaping) 

• Cartilage replacement 

When to Consult an Orthopedic Doctor Near Me?  

If you are experiencing excruciating pain in and around the knee, paired with stiffness or swelling, then immediately consult the best orthopedic surgeon near me to discuss the problem and get your treatment started.  

M&M Ortho Hospitals is one of the best orthopedic hospitals in Attapur that you can trust for a quick and safe recovery. The expert surgeons at our hospital provide the most suitable treatment for your medical condition, without hurrying you for surgery. Give us a call to book an appointment with the top surgeon and start your recovery journey.