The Most Important Piece Of The Puzzle
If youre overweight or obese, the most effective treatment is weight loss. This isnt surprising. Every extra pound of weight adds two to four pounds of excess pressure on your knees.
Losing weight is probably the most difficult part of the treatment puzzle, but its also the most important, says Dr. Day.
A weight loss program should include both diet and exercise. Some people have difficulty exercising to lose weight because their knees hurt. But any type of exercise can help, even strengthening the upper body.
How Food Helps Oa
How and what you eat may affect the development of osteoarthritis.
Scientists say that when inflammation occurs, the body produces molecules known as free radicals. Free radicals form in the body in response to toxins and natural processes, including inflammation.
When too many free radicals build up, oxidative stress results. Oxidative stress can contribute to cell and tissue damage throughout the body.
This includes damage to the synovium and cartilage, which play a role in cushioning the knee joint. Oxidative stress can also trigger further inflammation.
Antioxidants are molecules that can help protect the body from free radicals. Theyre present in the body, and you can also obtain them from plant-based foods.
Researchers dont know exactly how free radicals and oxidative stress affect OA, but some have suggested that consuming antioxidants may help.
Consuming a diet that enables you to maintain a healthy weight will also help manage OA of the knee.
Various nutrients may help boost joint health and reduce inflammation.
The following foods may help delay the onset or progression of osteoarthritis:
- fruits and vegetables, which provide antioxidants
- low-fat dairy foods, which contain calcium and vitamin D
- healthy oils, such as extra virgin olive oil
These foods are a part of an anti-inflammatory diet.
Some foods can increase the risk of oxidative stress.
Foods that may have this effect include:
Ways of reducing or managing weight include:
Ways of doing this include:
Home Remedies And Medical Options
Options include:
Experts say that people who play an active role in managing their OA, for example, are likely to see a more positive outcome. You can do so by learning about arthritis, becoming aware of what makes symptoms better or worse, and making decisions with your doctor.
Discover exercises to strengthen the knee muscles.
Also Check: Can Arthritis Cause Nerve Pain
Youre Ignoring Depression Which Can Worsen Pain
Depression, sleep problems, and osteoarthritis pain appear to be linked, according to a study published in March 2015 in the journal Arthritis Care & Research that assessed sleep, pain, and depression symptoms in 288 adults over the course of a year. The anxiety, stress, and worry that can go along with someone whos depressed may minimize their ability to cope with osteoarthritis, Johnson says. If you think you may be depressed, seek treatment immediately.
What Is Knee Arthritis
It can also be called osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. It results from wear and tear that leads to progressive of loss of the knee cartilage. The wear and tear comes from:
- the release of enzymes in the knee joint.
- and prolonged, repetitive, and/or awkward forces on the knee joint.
This loss of cartilage, which is normally smooth, creates a rough surface. With repetitive motion the increased friction from the bones gliding past each other causes swelling and pain. Over time it can also cause increased bone formation called bone spurs or osteophytes.
Recommended Reading: Does Ra Cause Back Pain
What Osteoarthritis Pain Feels Like
Pain is pain, right? It just plain hurts. But for your doctor to figure out whether your joint pain stems from osteoarthritis, which develops as cartilage wears away, youll need to be specific about when the pain occurs, how bad it is, and the ways itâs affecting you.
Here are some common signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis that may help you identify and better describe your pain to your doctor:
- Pain that aches deep into the joint
- Pain that feels better with rest
- Pain that isnât noticeable in the morning but gets worse throughout the day
- Pain that radiates into your buttocks, thighs, or groin
- Joint pain that affects your posture and gait and may cause limping
- Pain that occurs after using the joint
- Swelling in the joint
What Are The Signs Of Needing A Knee Replacement
Surgery to Replace the Knee
- Knee pain that prevents you from doing the things you want to do every day.
- Day to night, moderate or serious knee pain while sleeping.
- Knee swelling and inflammation that does not go away through rest or treatment.
- A bending of the leg inward or outward.
- NSAIDs dont work for me or I cant handle them.
Don’t Miss: How To Stop Arthritis In Fingers
Is Surgery Used To Treat Knee Osteoarthritis
If your doctor wants to treat the osteoarthritis in the knee with surgery, the options are arthroscopy, osteotomy, and arthroplasty.
- Arthroscopy uses a small telescope and other small instruments. The surgery is performed through small incisions. The surgeon uses the arthroscope to see into the joint space. Once there, the surgeon can remove damaged cartilage or loose particles, clean the bone surface, and repair other types of tissue if those damages are discovered. The procedure is often used on younger patients in order to delay more serious surgery.
- An osteotomy is a procedure that aims to make the knee alignment better by changing the shape of the bones. This type of surgery may be recommended if you have damage primarily in one area of the knee. It might also be recommended if you have broken your knee and it has not healed well. An osteotomy is not permanent, and further surgery may be necessary later on.
- Joint replacement surgery, or arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure in which joints are replaced with artificial parts made from metals or plastic. The replacement could involve one side of the knee or the entire knee. Joint replacement surgery is usually reserved for people over age 50 with severe osteoarthritis. The surgery may need to be repeated later if the prosthetic joint wears out after several years. But with today’s modern advancements, most new joints will last over 20 years. The surgery has risks, but the results are generally very good.
The Importance Of Knee Stability
You may be thinking that that the fact that your knee feels unstable is not a big deal. Is knee instability important? Absolutely, as it can lead to significant injury and possible surgery. A great example of instability is a cars wheel whose lug nuts have become loose. The wheel is unstable and over time the tire will wear abnormally and most likely sustain damage to the sidewall and tread. Furthermore, the car will lack optimal control at higher speeds and in rain and snow. A knee that is unstable either due to ligament laxity or muscle weakness, is at risk for cartilage, ligament and meniscus injury, and the possible need for knee replacement.
Recommended Reading: Is Eggs Bad For Arthritis
What Are Treatments For Knee Arthritis
Though neither category of arthritis is curable, both kinds of knee arthritis can be managed well, particularly when caught early. Thats especially true for those with inflammatory arthritis.
We know a lot more about inflammatory arthritis than we do about OA, Dr. Domingues says. And we have drugs that target the root cause of inflammatory arthritis disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, or DMARDs which decrease inflammation, help preserve the joint, and ease pain. Biologics, a more targeted type of DMARD, may be recommended for those who dont get sufficient relief of knee pain and other symptoms from traditional DMARDs.
As for what to take for knee osteoarthritis, doctors often first recommend over-the-counter analgesics such as acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , which are also sometimes used to alleviate the pain of inflammatory arthritis.
If those dont help your knee OA, steroid injections may be a good next step for managing knee joint pain, or your doctor might suggest hyaluronan injections, which provide some of the cushioning lost by cartilage breakdown in your knee joint.
But because OA is a degenerative disease, which means it will likely get worse over time, these options mostly buy you time before you may ultimately need a knee replacement, which is the definitive treatment for moderate-to-severe knee OA, Dr. Domingues says.
Talk To Your Doctor About A Knee Brace
Often a knee brace can help. Theres evidence to show that even a simple compression sleeve can decrease pain, says Dr. Day. These are a good way to start because you can get one at the drugstore.
You can also talk to your doctor about a more customized unloader brace. These take pressure off a portion of the joint. The brace thats right for you will depend on the severity and location of arthritis, whether primarily in the inner or outer side of the joint or in the kneecap.
Also Check: What Can You Do To Help Arthritis In Your Hands
How Different Kinds Of Arthritis Hurt Your Feet
Various types of arthritis present differently in the feet.
- Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the first metatarsophalangeal joint that connects your big toe to your foot, although its also often found in the midfoot and ankle.
- Rheumatoid arthritis usually appears in both feet and affects the same joints in each foot. This is in contrast to OA, which typically affects one specific joint.
- Gout frequently affects only the feet, often the big toe. Read more about treating a gout flare.
- Psoriatic arthritis can also take a toll on toes, causing sausage-like swelling called dactylitis. PsA is often also accompanied by inflammation of the entheses, the places where tendons and ligaments attach to bones. In the feet this usually presents as plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes, as well as the bony projections known as bone spurs, which can cause pain if they press or rub on other bones or soft tissues.
- Ankylosing spondylitis also causes enthesitis, such as plantar fasciitis and pain at the Achilles tendon.
When To See Your Doctor
There are treatments available from your doctor is the home remedies arent enough.
The earlier you seek treatment, the better off you will be.
Seeking treatment as soon as you can will help you avoid surgery down the road.
You should see ee your doctor if:
- your pain or inflammation are not responding to home treatments
- your symptoms get worse, or you develop other symptoms like a fever
- your symptoms affect your daily life
Your doctor will ask you many questions about your pain during your initial appointment, like how it affects your life, when it occurs, and how bad it gets.
They will also ask you to rate your pain on a scale from 1 to 10.
They will also review your medical history, complete a physical exam, perform imaging tests to identify the cause of pain and mobility loss and conduct blood tests for other conditions that may be causing your joint pain.
Recommended Reading: Relief For Rheumatoid Arthritis In Hands
Before And After Exercise
If you can, put a moist-heat pack on your arthritic knee for 20 minutes before you start exercising. Heat is soothing and it also brings the blood to the surface, decreases stiffness, and sometime relieves pain.
If you take pain medications, try taking them about 45 minutes before you exercise for increased pain control during your workout.
After exercising, put an ice pack on the sore knee for 10 to 15 minutes. This will help to bring down any swelling caused by exercise. It will also help to soothe and relieve pain.
What Does Arthritis In The Knee Feel Like
Millions of Americans suffer from chronic or acute knee pain every year.
Getting a proper diagnosis and receiving the needed treatments can be difficult without knowing the cause of your pain.
Many conditions can mimic one another, so its important to seek a medical professionals advice if you have been battling knee pain.
Arthritis is a prevalent cause of knee pain, and there are a few ways to tell if arthritis is causing your pain.
In the article below, we will answer the question: what does arthritis in the knee feel like?
Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more of your joints.
Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness are the main symptoms of arthritis.
Arthritis can affect any joint in your body, but your knee is particularly vulnerable.
Having arthritis in your knee can make it difficult for you to perform everyday activities, like climbing stairs or walking to the mailbox.
While there are many types of arthritis, the most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of knee arthritis.
Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease caused by wear and tear.
Its the most common type of arthritis that occurs most often in people over 50, although younger people can get it as well.
The cartilage in your knee joint gradually wears away, and as it wears away, it becomes frayed and rough, and the protective space between the bones decreases.
You May Like: How To Reduce Arthritis Swelling In Fingers
Injections Are Another Low
If other strategies dont provide enough relief, injection therapy is an option with low risk.
A corticosteroid injection involves delivering this anti-inflammatory drug directly to the knee. The benefits are typically short lived. But it varies from person to person. I tell my patients the pain relief can last anywhere from a week to a year, says Dr. Day. One cautionary note with corticosteroids is the potential to increase blood sugar, which is a concern for people with uncontrolled diabetes.
For a possibly longer lasting effect, an injection of hyaluronic acid can be tried. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that healthy joints have a lot of and arthritic knees dont, says Dr. Day. It takes longer to start working than a corticosteroid injection, but the effect often lasts six months to a year.
Currently, research is being done on the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma , which is not yet covered by insurance. PRP involves drawing some blood, spinning it in a centrifuge, and injecting part of it into the knee.
If youre not able to get your symptoms under control with a combination of these measures, she says, it could be time to talk to your doctor about surgery.
This article originally appeared in Cleveland Clinic Arthritis Advisor.
Eating Right For Osteoarthritis Of The Knee
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Heres our process.
Osteoarthritis of the knee happens when cartilage wears away in a joint, and the bone starts to erode. Apart from tissue damage, youll probably start to experience pain and inflammation.
Some dietary choices can help you take care of your joints.
In this article, find out what you can eat to help boost the health of your knee joints.
Recommended Reading: Long Term Effects Of Arthritis
What Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Feel Like
Lets face it, aches and pain are annoying. But thankfully, most of them are occasional and usually occur as we age. But knowing what does arthritis feel like? is important, especially if youre feeling joint pain and stiffness in different body parts. This will help you get timely treatment, as early treatment always has positive outcomes.
Did you know persistent joint pain and stiffness can be signs of rheumatoid arthritis? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , this condition affects more than 54 million adults in the United States. The symptoms of arthritis include aching, grinding, dull, or throbbing pain in joints. Continue reading as this guide will address, What does arthritis feel like? So, lets get started!
Causes Of Fatigue In Arthritis
Inflammation, pain, inactivity and lifestyle factors can cause extreme tiredness when living with arthritis.
Everyone gets worn out from time to time. But exhaustion that disrupts your daily life and doesnt get better after a good nights sleep has its own medical term: fatigue. Fatigue significantly affects the quality of life for people with many forms of arthritis-related diseases, includingrheumatoid arthritis,psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia andosteoarthritis. Your lack of energy may be caused by your inflammatory disease and other health conditions you have, as well asmedications side effectsand lifestyle habits.
Read Also: What Does Rheumatic Pain Feel Like
What Does The Procedure Involve
You can usually receive a knee injection in your doctors office. The procedure only takes a few minutes.
Youll be seated during the procedure, and your doctor will position your knee. They may use ultrasound to help guide the needle to the best location.
Your doctor will:
- clean the skin on your knee and treat it with a local anesthetic
- insert the needle into your joint, which might cause some discomfort
- inject the medication into your joint
Though you may feel some discomfort, the procedure is rarely painful if your doctor has experience administering this type of injection.
In some cases, your healthcare provider may remove a small amount of joint fluid to reduce pressure.
Theyll insert a needle attached to a syringe into the knee joint. Then, theyll draw out the fluid into the syringe and remove the needle.
After removing the fluid, the doctor can use the same puncture site to inject the medication into the joint.
Finally, theyll place a small dressing over the injection site.