Knee Arthritis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Knee arthritis is a common condition that affects millions of people, causing pain and difficulty moving the joint. The wear and tear of the cartilage in the knee leads to inflammation and destruction of the joint.
Causes:
- Wear and age: Osteoarthritis is mainly caused by wear and tear of the joint over time. It is more common in older people.
- Obesity: Excess weight increases the pressure on the knee, accelerating the wear and tear of cartilage.
- Heredity: Genetic factors may predispose some people to knee arthritis.
- Injuries: Previous injuries, such as torn meniscus or ligaments, may increase the risk of developing knee arthritis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the joint, causing inflammation and destruction.
Symptoms:
- Pain in the knee, especially after activity or prolonged immobility.
- Stiffness and difficulty moving, especially in the morning.
- Swelling and inflammation in the joint.
- Reduced mobility, with difficulty bending or fully extending the knee.
- Feeling of friction when moving the knee.
Treatment:
Treatment is initially conservative and includes the following:
- Ice therapy: Helps reduce pain and swelling.
- Physical therapy: Helps strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve flexibility.
- Weight loss: Reduces the pressure on the joint and slows the progression of arthritis.
- Medication: Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and inflammation.
- Intra-articular injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid for temporary relief.
In severe cases, joint replacement (total knee arthroplasty) may be necessary. Modern methods of total knee arthroplasty include minimally invasive techniques (MIS), fast-track protocols (fast-track), use of personalized guides (PSI) and personalized implants, with the aim of optimizing the surgical outcome and accelerating postoperative rehabilitation. In cases of arthritis in one of the knee compartments, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty can also be performed.
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