Knee arthritis is a form of arthritis commonly found in patients 50 years of age and older, as well as in overweight patients.

What causes knee arthritis?

The most common cause of knee arthritis is osteoarthritis, though rheumatoid arthritis and injury can also cause arthritis in the elbow:

• Rheumatoid arthritis: An inflammatory disease affecting the lining of joints and destroys bones, joints and tissues.The condition often starts in smaller joints, like those found in the wrist or hand.
• Osteoarthritis: A progressive condition that destroys the cartilage that covers the ends of bones. When uncovered bones rub against each other, chronic pain, stiffness and weakness results.
• Post-traumatic arthritis: Similar to osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis can develop years after injury to the knee. Injury to the knee can lead to cartilage damage, which can lead to the development of arthritis in that joint.

Other contributing factors include:

• Age: It is a common condition for patients 50 years of age and older.
• Obesity: Carrying extra weight tends to contribute to symptoms, as it increases pressure on the joints.
• Genetics: Knee arthritis tends to run in families.

What does it feel like?

Knee arthritis is unique in that symptoms do not necessarily progress with time. Patients often report good months and bad months, and symptoms tend to fluctuate with weather conditions.

The most common symptoms of knee arthritis are pain with activities, loss of range of motion, stiff or swollen joints, tenderness along the joint, buckling or locking knees, and weakness of knees.

How do I know if I have knee arthritis?

Typically your doctor will perform a physical examination that focuses on your walk, the range of motion, and joint swelling or pain.

X-rays may also be used to assist in determining the type of arthritis or ruling out possible underlying conditions.

How is knee arthritis treated?

Modifying activities, taking anti-inflammatory medicines, oral glucosamine supplements, and physical therapy may help to manage pain and other symptoms.

For overweight patients, weight loss may be recommended to relieve extra pressure on the joints. Walking aids, such as a cane or single crutch, and injections such as cortisone can also help relieve symptoms.

When nonsurgical treatments are no longer effective, surgery may be considered. Surgeries include:

• Arthoscopy: The surgeon can remove bone spurs, loose fragments, and repair torn cartilage.
• Osteotomy: The surgeon cuts the shinbone (tibia) or the thighbone (femur) to improve the alignment of the knee joint.
• Total or partial knee arthroplasty: The severely damaged knee joint cartilage is replaced with metal and plastic materials.
• Cartilage grafting: The defected cartilage in the knee is replaced with healthy cartilage from another area of patient's body or from a donor's tissue. This a procedure for patients with limited cartilage loss from trauma or arthritis.

Treatment Videos

Watch an educational video about treatments for knee arthritis.