Do you have painful knees? Besides making walking difficult, pain in the knees may be a sign of a serious chronic condition. If you have knee pain, it’s always smart to have it checked out, and not try to treat it yourself.
Arthritis is one of the top causes of knee pain. There are several types of arthritis, and only a doctor can identify which one a person suffers from.
If you suspect you have arthritis of the knee, read on to discover some of the most common symptoms.
Swelling
Swelling and inflammation are some of the most common arthritis symptoms. In the knee, swelling comes from damaged tissue that reacts to the mechanical breakdown of the joint.
To reduce this troublesome symptom, treatments usually combine a mixture of anti-inflammatories, medications to control pain, and topical treatments.
Pain
Arthritis is the cause of different types of knee pain, including feelings of tightness, sharp pain upon movement, and general achiness.
Severe pain with movement is caused by missing joint cartilage, bone deterioration, and inflamed soft tissue. Even when arthritis hasn’t gotten very advanced, general pain and soreness are almost always present.
Lumps and Bumps
Unfortunately, arthritis of the knee can cause deformities due to inflammation and the loss of underlying tissue. When the joint deteriorates, an arthritic knee may develop dimples and swollen areas.
Non-steroids, as well as steroid-based drugs, can help reduce swelling. The best medications have to be prescribed, so it’s important to work with an arthritis specialist. Since there is more than one type of arthritis, it’s best to treat arthritis symptoms with medications that have been developed for your specific type.
Stiffness and Movement Problems
One of the first signs of arthritis is stiffness and the inability to move. This can be quite painful and limit the amount and types of activities you can do.
If you find that your knees are locking up or giving out when you walk, you should see your doctor. You may be able to get a shot of cortisone that can decrease the pain and give you some movement back.
Weight management is often one of the key components of arthritis care. So is healthy nutrition, especially since some foods are high in anti-inflammatory ingredients.
Unpleasant Noises
Knee arthritis is noisy! This is because arthritis can cause degradation of the joint.
As the knee joint deteriorates, cartilage can thin. This causes the bones to make contact. It’s common to hear sounds like clicking, popping, grinding, and cracking.
Noisy knees can make knee pain seem worse. Sometimes, an integrative treatment approach works best, so ask your doctor about treatment options.
Don’t Let Arthritis of the Knee Make You Suffer
Arthritis of the knee is a common ailment, but you don’t have to let it ruin your life. To find out more about regenerative medicine and other treatments for arthritis, get in touch with us. We offer free consultations where we answer any questions you may have and explain treatment options. With the right treatment, you can live an active lifestyle. We want you to be able to enjoy all your favorite activities, so contact us today!
