Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the knee. It is a degenerative,"wear-and-tear" type of arthritis that occurs most often in people 50 years of age and older, but may occur in younger people, too. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the knee joint gradually wears away.

Causes -

• Age
• Weight
• Heredity
• Repetitive stress injury
• Athletics
• People with Rheumatoid Arthritis are more likely to develop osteoarthritis.

Symptoms -

• function-limiting knee pain - effect on walking distances
• pain at night or rest
• activity induced swelling
• knee stiffness
• mechanical : instability, locking, catching sensation

Investigations -

• Physical examination
• Xray

Treatment -

• Physiotherapy
• Medications
• Operative