What does it mean to have "osteoarthritis of the knee"?

The knee joint is formed by the surface of the lower part of the thigh bone, the femur, and the surface of the upper part of the leg bone, the tibia. Each of the two surfaces is covered by a smooth layer of cartilage. Osteoarthritis means that this cartilage has become weak and rough and is allowing friction between the two surfaces to happen. This mostly occurs because of the wear and tear of this cartilage as we age.

 

Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee are pain which is more with movement such as walking or going up and down stairs and also getting up from the chair and is less with rest, liking sitting on a chair. Other symptoms include limping if the knee pain is so severe. Also the knee joint may swell with an effusion. Effusion is excess fluid that accumulates in the knee joint because of any disease of the knee. Crepitus (clicks of the joint) may also occur but it is important to note here the clicks of joints do not have to be osteoarthritis always and do not have to be a sign of disease always as many patients are so worried just for having clicks of any joints without any other associated symptoms.

 

Causes of osteoarthritis of the knee: In addition to aging, osteoarthritis might also occur due to other causes that do not have to do with age. The most important non-age-related causes include:

• Excess weight and obesity for years
• Any chronic disease of the knee such as rheumatoid arthritis or other immuno-rheumatic diseases
• Any injury that occurred in the knee before such as a torn meniscus or cruciate ligament
• An old trauma or accident that involved the knee joint
• Weak muscles around the knee: if the knee muscles were weak and you are doing a lot of exertion that involves the knee for years, this will strain the knee joint and accelerate the wear and tear process

 

Since many of the causes of osteoarthritis are related to weight and habits and strength of muscles, among the most important measures in dealing with osteoarthritis of the knee are instructions for weight control, for lifestyle and for strengthening the knee muscles.

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This post was prepared and published by Dr. Hatem Eleishi. Dr. Hatem Eleishi is a professor of rheumatology at Cairo university (Egypt) and is especially dedicated to supporting arthritis patients with online educational videos and articles about arthritis causes and treatment. He also runs a rheumatology clinic in Cairo and a center for online medical consultations that, in addition to providing online rheumatology consultations, also provides online medical consultations in several different medical specialties by expert consultants from Egypt, Canada and the United States.

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