Joint damage occurs when the cartilage lining your bones is worn away. Cartilage is a connective tissue that surrounds the ends of most bones. It serves to protect and cushion your bones, as well as aid in movement. When the cartilage is worn away, your bones rub against each other instead of gliding smoothly. Over time, your bones can become deformed and small pieces of bone may form on the outside of the bone called spurs. The joint becomes inflamed in response to the irritation and fluid accumulates within the joint space.
Types
There are many different types of arthritis that can affect the knee joint. The most common ones are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis of the knee, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. It is referred to as the "wear and tear" arthritis because it is caused by the gradual wearing away of cartilage. This usually occurs in response to age and occurs most frequently in older individuals. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which your immune system creates antibodies that attack the cells in your body. This causes inflammation and destruction of the joint cartilage. Post-traumatic arthritis occurs in response to a previous trauma to the knee such as a sprain, meniscal tear or fracture.
Effects
Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, swelling and a "popping" sensation in your knee. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes that the risk of disability from osteoarthritis in the knee is as great as the risk of disability from cardiovascular disease.
Considerations
See your doctor if you have symptoms of arthritis. He or she may prescribe a medication to help relieve your symptoms, like a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor -- known as a COX-2 inhibitor -- as well as to treat the underlying condition. Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections may also be given when you experience flare-ups. Notify your doctor if your symptoms do not improve with conservative treatments. You may need to have surgery to restore motion and improve pain.
Prevention
While many types of arthritis cannot be prevented, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk of osteoarthritis. One is to lose weight if you are overweight. The more you weigh, the greater the stress that is put on your knees. According to the Utah Department of Health Arthritis Program, each pound of weight puts four extra pounds of pressure on your knees. So, losing just 5 lbs. would remove 20 lbs. of pressure from your knees. Exercise also appears to reduce your risk of osteoarthritis. Exercise strengthens the muscles in your leg, which in turn decreases the amount of pressure put on your knees. However, you should avoid doing high impact repetitive activities that put a lot of stress on the knees, such as long-distance running. This can cause your cartilage to wear away faster. Try doing activities such as cycling or swimming instead.
Caution
Do not delay seeking treatment for arthritis. Once your cartilage is worn away, it cannot be replaced. The greater the damage that occurs, the greater the likelihood that surgery will be required to correct the problem.
