What Causes Loss of Knee Function and Knee Pain?
Often chronic knee pain is caused by one of the three common types of arthritis: osteoarthritis, traumatic arthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis.
A serious injury can bring on traumatic arthritis. If ligaments are torn or the knee is fractured, it can cause damage to articular cartilage which will only worsen with time. Of course, this is painful and affects the knees ability to function.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: When the synovial membrane produces an excess of fluid, the joint space overfills. The fluid becomes thick and inflamed and causes damage to the cartilage. The result is pain, stiffness, and a loss of cartilage.
Osteoarthritis is commonly experienced by people who are over the age of fifty. A family history of osteoarthritis adds to the chance that a person will have it. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cushion of cartilage between the bones of the knee wears down and softens causing the ends of the bone to grind. This is a very painful condition that causes the knee to stiffen.
Knee Replacement May Be the Answer
To make an informed decision about total knee replacement, you will want to consult with your family, your doctor and the orthopedic surgeon he will surely refer you to. Your orthopedic surgeon can outline all of your options, including total knee replacement surgery, other surgeries that may be available to you and non-surgical options as well. Once you have done your homework, you will be able to make an educated choice.
Click here for more on treating knee pain .
Total knee replacement is often the best choice for the following reasons:
You have tried other treatments (cortisone injections, physical therapy, alternate surgery, etc.) without success.
Difficulty getting through each day without pain. If it hurts to stand up, sit down, walk, climb stairs, get in your car, get out of your car, and so on, it is time to try total knee replacement. This is also true if you are doing all these things, but you are using a cane or a walker to manage them.
Symptoms That Indicate a Need For Total Knee Replacement Surgery
Your knee hurts so much you cant bend it or straighten it.
Knees that hurt, even while resting.
You are knock-kneed or bow-legged and it is causing pain and problems.
Your aspirin or ibuprofen dont work any more. Understand that these medications are good for early symptoms, but as your pain worsens, they cant keep up.
Your knee continues to be swollen, red and painful, even after you have taken medication and rested it.
It is important to understand that medications can generally lose effectiveness over time. Additionally, if you take a medication for a long time, you may develop a resistance to it or have a reaction to it. Furthermore, as your arthritis gets worse, your medications just may not be strong enough to manage the pain. - 17274
A serious injury can bring on traumatic arthritis. If ligaments are torn or the knee is fractured, it can cause damage to articular cartilage which will only worsen with time. Of course, this is painful and affects the knees ability to function.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: When the synovial membrane produces an excess of fluid, the joint space overfills. The fluid becomes thick and inflamed and causes damage to the cartilage. The result is pain, stiffness, and a loss of cartilage.
Osteoarthritis is commonly experienced by people who are over the age of fifty. A family history of osteoarthritis adds to the chance that a person will have it. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cushion of cartilage between the bones of the knee wears down and softens causing the ends of the bone to grind. This is a very painful condition that causes the knee to stiffen.
Knee Replacement May Be the Answer
To make an informed decision about total knee replacement, you will want to consult with your family, your doctor and the orthopedic surgeon he will surely refer you to. Your orthopedic surgeon can outline all of your options, including total knee replacement surgery, other surgeries that may be available to you and non-surgical options as well. Once you have done your homework, you will be able to make an educated choice.
Click here for more on treating knee pain .
Total knee replacement is often the best choice for the following reasons:
You have tried other treatments (cortisone injections, physical therapy, alternate surgery, etc.) without success.
Difficulty getting through each day without pain. If it hurts to stand up, sit down, walk, climb stairs, get in your car, get out of your car, and so on, it is time to try total knee replacement. This is also true if you are doing all these things, but you are using a cane or a walker to manage them.
Symptoms That Indicate a Need For Total Knee Replacement Surgery
Your knee hurts so much you cant bend it or straighten it.
Knees that hurt, even while resting.
You are knock-kneed or bow-legged and it is causing pain and problems.
Your aspirin or ibuprofen dont work any more. Understand that these medications are good for early symptoms, but as your pain worsens, they cant keep up.
Your knee continues to be swollen, red and painful, even after you have taken medication and rested it.
It is important to understand that medications can generally lose effectiveness over time. Additionally, if you take a medication for a long time, you may develop a resistance to it or have a reaction to it. Furthermore, as your arthritis gets worse, your medications just may not be strong enough to manage the pain. - 17274
About the Author:
Dr. Tarlow is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon with over 20 years specializing in knee surgery. He opened his own clinic, Advanced Knee Care, with a focus on specialty patient care. Click here to learn more about Dr. Tarlow, arthroscopic surgeries and full knee replacement.
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6:11 AM
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