What may arthritis knee pain feel like?
Knee pain can really hold you back, especially when it interrupts the activities you love. Maybe you used to enjoy daily walks or weekend hikes, but now even taking the stairs is a struggle.
This pain might be arthritis. Whether it’s osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or another form, understanding arthritis knee pain is crucial for managing and treating it effectively.
In this blog, we’ll explore what arthritis knee pain feels like, helping you recognize the symptoms and seek the right care.
What is arthritis pain in the knee?
Arthritis knee pain is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation and stiffness in the knee joints, causing discomfort, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
It usually appears as a dull, aching pain, worsened by movement or weight-bearing activities like walking or climbing stairs. In severe instances, the pain may be constant, interfering with daily activities and sleep.
What may arthritis knee pain feel like?
Arthritis in the knee can lead to pain, stiffness, and swelling, often interfering with daily activities like climbing stairs or walking.
Knee arthritis may cause a person to experience different types of pain, such as:
- Pain that worsens over time
- Pain that is more intense in the morning or after resting
- Pain in both knees
- Pain after vigorous activity
- Sudden pain that peaks after 4–12 hours
- Pain lasting for weeks
- Increased joint pain with weather changes
Knee arthritis can cause other symptoms as well as pain, including:
- Difficulty bending the knee due to stiffness and swelling
- Swelling that is worse in the morning or after resting
- “Locking” or “sticking” during movement
- Creaking, clicking, snapping, or grinding sounds of the knee during movement
- Weakness or buckling in the knee
- Limited range of motion
What are the causes of arthritis knee pain?
Arthritis knee pain can be caused by various factors, including:
- Osteoarthritis (OA): The most common type of arthritis, caused by the gradual wearing down of cartilage over time. When cartilage in a joint wears away, the bones may rub against each other, resulting in pain, stiffness, and diminished mobility.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): An autoimmune disorder occurs when the immune system targets the lining of the joint, causing joint pain, inflammation, and reduced joint function.
- Psoriatic Arthritis: An autoimmune condition typically associated with the skin condition psoriasis, causing joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.
- Gout: A type of arthritis triggered by the uric acid crystals accumulation in the joint, causing intense pain and swelling.
- Post-Traumatic Arthritis: Arthritis that results from a knee injury, like a fracture, ligament tear, or meniscus injury, leading to joint degeneration.
- Reactive Arthritis: Reactive arthritis typically occurs following an infection of a person’s genital, gastrointestinal, or urinary system, causing pain and swelling in the knees.
- Infectious Arthritis: Infectious or septic arthritis occurs when the knee joint becomes infected, leading to inflammation and pain.
- Juvenile Arthritis: This type of arthritis develops in children and adolescents under the age of 16, causing swelling and knee pain.
Also Read: Types of Arthritis you must know about
How is arthritis knee pain diagnosed?
Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective knee pain treatment. This may involve:
- A medical history review includes the location, duration, and severity of the pain in the knee, as well as any factors that exacerbate or alleviate it.
- Physical examination and assessment of knee joint function, examining the knee for swelling, tenderness, warmth, and range of motion.
- Imaging tests such as MRI scans, X-rays, or CT scans to assess joint damage and get a more detailed view of soft tissues, cartilage, and ligaments.
- Laboratory tests, such as blood tests, evaluate for underlying medical conditions.
How is arthritis knee pain treated?
The treatment of arthritis in knee includes:
Non-surgical interventions
- Maintain a healthy weight to minimize knee pain by reducing pressure on the knee.
- Use heat or cold packs on the affected area to relieve pain and inflammation.
- Taking certain oral or topical anti-inflammatory or pain medications, such as NSAIDs.
- Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain.
- Physical therapy strengthens muscles around the knee, improving flexibility and range of motion.
- Warm up and stretch before exercise to increase flexibility and prevent knee injury and discomfort.
- Avoid activities that exacerbate pain and incorporate low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling.
- Use assistive devices like a cane or brace to support and reduce knee pressure.
- Opt for shoes which provides proper support and cushioning to help absorb shock and reduce knee impact during movement.
Surgical interventions
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a minimally-invasive procedure that diagnoses and treats knee joint issues. Surgeons insert a small camera to view and address problems like torn meniscus or damaged cartilage.
This approach allows for smaller incisions, reduced pain, faster recovery times, and a lower complication risk.
Knee replacement surgery
Knee replacement, or arthroplasty, replaces a damaged knee joint with artificial components. It’s recommended for severe arthritis when other treatments fail.
Total knee replacement focuses on replacing both sides of the joint of the knee with artificial components, while partial knee replacement focuses on replacing only the damaged part of the knee.
Consult Dr. Muthana Sartawi for treatment of arthritis in knee in Dubai
If you are dealing with knee pain, consulting with a skilled orthopedic specialist like Dr. Muthana Sartawi in Dubai can provide relief and improve your quality of life. With over 2,000 knee replacements completed and pioneering techniques like same-day knee replacement, Dr. Muthana Sartawi is among the best orthopedic surgeons in Dubai.
