What is osteoarthritis of the knee?
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RealAge answered:The knee is the largest weight-bearing joint in the body and therefore most commonly affected by osteoarthritis. Affected knees may be stiff, swollen, and painful, making it hard to walk, climb, sit down in and get up out of chairs, and get into the bathtub. If not treated, osteoarthritis in the knees can lead to disability. Medications, losing weight, exercise, and walking aids can reduce pain and disability. In severe cases, knee-replacement surgery may be helpful.
The disease often affects both knees and causes most problems after the sufferer reaches his or her late 50s. A previous injury or operation may cause osteoarthritis in only one knee. Sometimes there is no obvious cause. Pain is usually felt at the front and sides of the knee.
Osteoarthritis of the knee is more common in women than in men. Obesity and having osteoarthritis of the hand with nodes increase the risk of osteoarthritis of the knee in women.The knee is the largest weight-bearing joint in the body and therefore most commonly affected by osteoarthritis. Affected knees may be stiff, swollen, and painful, making it hard to walk, climb, sit down in and get up out of chairs, and get... More -
Dr. Edward Phillips answered:Osteoarthritis is sometimes dubbed "wear and tear" arthritis because it starts when cartilage cushioning the joints wears down. Tenderness and morning pain or stiffness that lasts less than 30 minutes are telltale signs of this condition. Osteoarthritis of the knee affects nine million American adults. More than half are over 65. Prior injuries, excess weight, aging, and overuse are among the factors that set the stage for knee osteoarthritis. Interestingly, findings from the Framingham Offspring Cohort study suggest that moderately intense exercise like walking or running—at least on normal knees—does not increase the likelihood of osteoarthritis.Osteoarthritis is sometimes dubbed "wear and tear" arthritis because it starts when cartilage cushioning the joints wears down. Tenderness and morning pain or stiffness that lasts less than 30 minutes are telltale signs of this condition.... More -
Dr. Scott Martin answered:Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It is a disease that causes the breakdown of articular cartilage, the tissue that covers and protects the ends of bones. Arthritis can appear in any joint, but the knee is particularly vulnerable because it is a weight-bearing joint that is subject to daily wear and tear as well as sudden injury.
Why do some people get osteoarthritis while others don't? In part, it's genetic. If your parents or grandparents had arthritis, you are at increased risk of developing it yourself. Other factors come into play as well; excess weight and demanding physical activity can both increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis in your knees. Repetitive impact loading activities such as running can also accelerate cartilage wear.
Cartilage is about 75% water. It compresses under the pressure of each step and resumes its original thickness when the force is released. When articular cartilage breaks down, the result is pain and disability. One in three people over age 62 has some amount of osteoarthritis in one or both knees.Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It is a disease that causes the breakdown of articular cartilage, the tissue that covers and protects the ends of bones. Arthritis can appear in any joint, but the knee is particularly... More -
Dr. Keith Hechtman of Baptist Health South Florida answered:Osteoarthritis is characterized by the breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints. The most common symptoms are pain and loss of range of motion. Deterioration of articular cartilage, the smooth, slippery, fibrous connective tissue that acts as a protective cushion between bones, is the main problem associated with osteoarthritis of the knee.
Osteoarthritis is characterized by the breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints. The most common symptoms are pain and loss of range of motion. Deterioration of articular cartilage, the smooth, slippery, fibrous connective tissue that... More
