Osteoarthritis of the knee can be a serious, aggravating condition that can negatively affect a person's ability to move. What can begin as a mild aching in the knee, can progress to a significantly disabling, painful condition which can interfere with quality of life. Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee are varied and correspond to the severity of the condition.
Pain
In the early stages of osteoarthritis of the knee, pain can manifest itself in the form of a mild ache or soreness. Typically, these symptoms can be dealt with reasonably effectively with minimal treatments, such as ice, rest, activity modification and use of mild, over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen, or anti-inflammatory agents, such as ibuprofen.
As the arthritic condition progresses and pain worsens the need for stronger, perhaps prescription strength, anti-inflammatory drugs and pain medications increases as well. Drugs, such as codeine, hydrocodone and oxycodone become increasingly necessary.
For moderate to severe pain from osteoarthritis of the knee, cortisone injections can play an important role in pain relief because of its powerful anti-inflammatory capabilities. According to the Mayo Clinic, injections of this type can provide relief for a few months but require a three- to four-month wait before receiving subsequent injections.
Swelling
As joint degeneration progresses, the soft joint cartilage surfaces of the knee joint begin to deteriorate and wear down. This process causes increased friction within the joint, stimulating the body's inflammatory response. The response typically consists of inflammation of the joint lining, called the synovium, with increase production of joint fluid.
When synovial fluid production exceeds the body's ability to re-absorb it, the net effect is a fluid buildup in the knee. This is called effusion. The greater the effusion, the tighter the knee feels and the more difficult it is to bend the knee. In addition to joint surface wear, the normally tough fibrous cartilage structures called menisci, meniscus/singular, also degenerate and can become frayed and torn, adding increased irritation and damage to the joint.
Popping/Cracking
With joint and cartilage degeneration, comes snapping, popping and cracking sensations that are typically the result of motion of the knee over uneven surfaces created by the degenerative process. This, together with degenerative meniscus tears, can be responsible for these symptoms especially when weight-bearing. In severe cases of osteoarthritis of the knee, the cracking and popping can be significant enough to cane the knee to buckle under the irregularities, thus increasing the risk of falling.
Loss of Motion
As joint fluid continues to build up and swelling increases due to joint surface irregularities, range of motion of the knee can easily become impaired and result in the inability to fully bend or straighten the knee. Additionally, torn menisci within the knee can become lodged in between the joint surfaces of the femur, or thigh bone, and the tibia, or shin bone, providing further complications to bending and straightening the knee. Persistent joint stiffness can also contribute to long term mobility loss.
