Knee Arthritis - Treatments For Pain Relief

There are three common types of arthritis that are usually associated with any condition of arthritic knees

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a disease causing errosion of cartilage and the bone structure within the joint as well as causing bony growths. The gradual breakdown of these body tissues causes to painfull joint stiffness. The joints most commonly affected are those in knees, hips, spine and nuckles and wrists. The specific causes of osteoarthritis are unknown, but are believed to be a result of both physical use and molecular development in the affected joints. The onset of this disease is gradual and mostly begins in middle age. There is currently no known complete cure for Osteoarthritis. Treatment for Osteoarthritis focuses on relieving pain symptoms and improving joint functions. Treatments usually include patient education foe self management and weight control, physical therapy and use of various medications.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease characterized by inflammation which affects the entire body and gets into a number of bone joints of the body concurrently. The inflammation mainly affects the lining of the joints called the synovial membrane, but can also affect other organs. The inflamed synovium leads to erosions of the bone cartilage and possibly joint deformations. Pain, swelling, and redness are common in the bone joints. Although the real causes are unclear, Rheumatoid Arthritis is thought to be a result of a bad immune system response. Rheumatoid Arthritis can begin at any age and symptoms include fatigue and a lengthy peroiod of stiffness after resting. In addition to medications and sometimes joint surgery, regular exercise and appropriate self care, do reduce the disability and pain caused by the disease. There is no known cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis, but new pharmacuticals are increasingly being tried to treat the disease.

Post Trauma Arthritis

Post-traumatic arthritis refers to a type of osteoarthritis which develops years after a fracture, ligament injury or meniscus tear.

Symptoms Of Knee Arthritis

Although sudden onset is possible the pain associated with arthritic knees usually develops very slowly. The joint eventually becomes so stiff and swollen, that it is difficult to bend or straighten the knee. Stiffness, pain and swelling are worse after any period of inactivity particularly in the mornings. Pain is usually worse after more strenuous activities such stairs longer walks or kneeling. Changes in the weather also affect the degree of pain from arthritis.

Pain relief and treatment options

Your physician will examine your level of motion and joint swelling and will take x-Rays to see the amount of joint damage. If he/she suspects Rheumatoid arthritis they will take blood test and do some MRI Scans for more exacting analysis.

Treatment and pain relief from knee joint arthritis is initially focused on non-surgical methods. Treatment will usually start with specific exercises to increase the range of motion and flexibility of the joint and to strengthen the leg muscles. Losing weight is important for those who are overweight to take pressure off this joint. Also changes to daily routines to exclude heavier use of the knee joints.

Applications of heat or cold, (Cryotherapy) and various liniments and supporting bandages, are often prescribed for everyday treatment and pain relief, with a regular physiotherapy program.

For more serious cases, supportive devices such energy-absorbing shoe inserts, knee braces or knee sleeves or even a walking cane with be recommended.

Several types of drugs could be prescribed in treating arthritic knees. Your orthopaedic surgeon will prescribe a medication and drug program for our particular specific condition and talking account of your other personal attributes.

Different types of Medications are used to reduce swelling in the joint, or relieve the pain and some for treatment of the causes. For more information about pain relief from medicine and drugs see our Arthritis Drugs And Medication Information page.

Surgical treatments

When knee arthritis does not respond to treatments, you may surgery to get pain relief and more mobility in your joints. Some of the typical surgical treatment options for different knee conditions include;-

Arthroscopic Surgery

Arthroscopic surgery uses fibre optic technology to enable the surgeon to get inside the joint and repair torn joint cartilage or clear away loose pieces of broken cartilage that can cause pain.

Osteotomy

An osteotomy cuts the thighbone ( the femur) shinbone ( the tibia) and rejoins them at a different alignment to correct the movement of the knee joint sometimes as a result of arthritis damage.

Knee Arthroplasty

A knee arthroplasty replaces the arthritis damaged knee joint cartilage with metal and plastic. It can be a total or partial replacement.

Cartilage Grafting

Cartilage grafting may be possible for some knees with limited cartilage or with cartilage loss from accidental damage or arthritis conditions.

Find more information about surgery in relation arthritis in our directory section for arthritis surgery.