The knee is one of the joints most commonly affected by arthritis. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis but all cause inflammation of the joints, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness and impaired mobility. In extreme cases, the knee joint may have to be replaced if medication doesn’t offer the sufferer any relief from the symptoms of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis, the most common form of the condition, is a degenerative form of the disease, which generally strikes older people and women in particular. If you have osteoarthritis, your knees are most likely to be affected by the cartilage surrounding the bone wearing away, allowing the bones to rub against each other painfully.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can strike at any age. The body’s immune system turns on itself and attacks the lining of the joints, damaging cartilage and bones. This form of arthritis tends to behave symmetrically and so both knees would be affected.
Another common form of the disease is gouty arthritis, caused by an excess amount of uric acid in the body that crystallises around the joints. The big toe is generally the victim of gouty arthritis but it can spread to other joints, including the knee.
Treatment for arthritis focuses on pain relief and managing the distressing symptoms through gentle exercise and other types of physical therapy to improve mobility. When non-surgical interventions don’t work, surgery may be required. Keyhole surgery such as an arthroscopy can repair damaged cartilage and remove fragments of damaged bone or cartilage that are inhibiting your movement. Cartilage grafting is also an option.
If the arthritis has damaged only one side of your knee, an orthopaedic surgeon might suggest an osteotomy. This procedure involves cutting the shinbone or thighbone to realign the joint and shift your weight to the still healthy side of your knee. An arthroplasty may be required in cases of severe damage, using plastic or metal prostheses to replace the entire knee joint.
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