If your doctor wants to treat the osteoarthritis in the knee with surgery, the options are arthroscopy, osteotomy, and arthroplasty. Almost everyone will eventually have some degree of osteoarthritis. But several things increase the risk of having significant arthritis at an earlier age. “The rule of thumb for exercises and stretches is that if it hurts, don’t do it,” says Dr. Paul.
Degenerative knee pain is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is often caused by wear and tear on the knee joint over time, leading to pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility. This condition can be debilitating for many individuals, impacting their quality of life and daily activities.
With the patient standing, look for periarticular erythema and swelling, quadriceps muscle atrophy, and varus or valgus deformities. Observe gait for signs of pain or abnormal motion of the knee joint that can indicate ligamentous instability. Next, inspect the surrounding skin for the presence and location of any scars from previous surgical procedures, overlying evidence of trauma, or any soft tissue lesions.
Common clinical symptoms include knee pain that is gradual in onset and worse with activity, knee stiffness and swelling, pain after prolonged sitting or resting, and pain that worsens over time. Treatment for knee osteoarthritis begins with conservative methods and progresses to surgical treatment options when conservative treatment fails. While medications can help slow the progression of RA and other inflammatory conditions, no proven disease-modifying agents for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis currently exist.
Symptoms of Degenerative Knee Pain
You’ll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. A review of 16 studies published in 2016 in the journal Joint Bone Spine found that the results were conflicting and the studies were too small to draw conclusions.
The research has not shown that these alternative therapies are beneficial. That said, massage may have benefits beyond those directly relate to OA discomfort, including reducing your stress level. Adults older than 55 and people who are in postmenopause are more likely to develop osteoarthritis.
You may experience increased stiffness and pain, reduced range of motion, and greater swelling. Another common symptom of osteoarthritis is crepitus, in which a joint will make popping and crackling noises with movement. Crepitus most commonly affects the shoulder or knee joint but can also occur in the wrist, fingers, elbow, and ankle. Inflammatory arthritis conditions can occur at any age and affect children, teens, and young adults.
The symptoms of degenerative knee pain can vary from person to person but commonly include pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty moving the knee joint. Individuals with this condition may also experience a grinding sensation when they bend or straighten their knee, as well as a feeling of instability in the joint.
Treatment Options for Degenerative Knee Pain
There are several treatment options available for degenerative knee pain, depending on the severity of the condition. These may include physical therapy, medication, injections, and in some cases, surgery. Physical therapy can help improve strength and flexibility in the knee joint, while medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce pain and inflammation.
Injections such as corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid may also be used to provide temporary relief from pain and swelling. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair or replace damaged parts of the knee joint.
Overall, degenerative knee pain is a common and often debilitating condition that can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. Seeking treatment early and following a comprehensive care plan can help manage symptoms and improve overall function in the affected knee joint.
