It's been said that the knees can buckle when people encounter someone they like a great deal. However, the knees play an important role in motion. Without the knees, walking would be near to impossible. The knee joints can become damaged due to wear and tear or the body can just launch an autoimmune attack against this joint. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the knee is considered to be one of the largest joints in the body and it i,s unfortunately, the most injured.
Osteoarthritis of the Knee
The AAOS says that osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the five leading causes for disability in elderly people. This condition occurs due to infection, trauma or injury. Also, this medical problem occurs when the cartilage between the knee bones begins to deteriorate due to overuse. This deterioration can lead to such symptoms as knee pain that gets worse with movement or standing and gets better with rest. It can also lead to joint swelling, muscle weakness and a limited range of motion, says MedlinePlus.
The AAOS says that treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee involves losing weight, exercising and taking part in physical therapy. Also, medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, opiates and glucosamine and chondroitin can be used to manage osteoarthritis of the knee symptoms. Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections can be directly injected into the knee joint to provide pain relief if the oral medications do not work. Sometimes, joint replacement surgery may be necessary.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis refers to an inflammation of various joints, such as that of the knees, fingers, feet, wrists and ankles, says MedlinePlus. Specific symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis of the knee include morning stiffness, joint pain, joint tenderness and joint swelling. Rheumatoid arthritis can also lead to fatigue, muscle aches, weakness, limited movements, numbness or tingling and skin redness or inflammation.
Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis of the knee includes taking such medications as disease modifying antirheumatic drugs such as leflunomide, anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, antimalarial drugs such as sulfasalazine and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib. Other drug treatments include orencia, rituxan or inflixamab. Sometimes, physical therapy can be used to preserve joint function through exercise. Surgery may be necessary to improve joint movements and repair any joint damage.
Osteonecrosis of the Knee
Osteonecrosis of the knee occurs when the knee bone loses its blood supply and literally dies. According to the AAOS, osteonecrosis of the knee strikes three times more women than men.
Symptoms of osteonecrosis of the knee include joint pain, decreased range of motion, swelling and limping.
Unfortunately, the exact cause of osteonecrosis of the knee is unknown. However, stress on the knee joint and trauma may contribute to its development. The AAOS says that obesity, anemia, kidney transplants and treatment with steroids are also associated with osteonecrosis of the knee.
Treatment includes taking medications such as ibuprofen to reduce the pain and using a brace to relieve any pressure. Also, restricting intensive activity such as running can also decrease the chances for developing osteonecrosis of the knee. Surgical treatments to repair or replace the joint are other treatments available for osteonecrosis of the knee.
