Knee Osteoarthritis

As we age, our cartilage naturally breaks down, resulting in the discomfort known as arthritis. Knee osteoarthritis not only causes joint pain but can limit mobility, making it harder to enjoy your favorite activities. At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our board-certified knee surgeons are here to help relieve the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis so you can feel more comfortable and get back to doing what you love.

What is Knee Osteoarthritis?

A study from The Arthritis Foundation found that more than 27 million Americans live with osteoarthritis, a condition that can affect the knee, hip, or spine. However, the knees are the most commonly affected joints.

Knee osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in the knee disintegrates over time. This crucial connective tissue supports and lubricates your knee joint to move freely. Once this cartilage ihas worn down, it can become painful to flex or move the knee because the bones are rubbing against each other with no cartilage cushion in between.

Fortunately, there are various treatments available for osteoarthritis in the knee.

Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen with time. Signs and symptoms include:

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Tenderness
• Discomfort going up or down stairs
• Waking up with a swollen knee
• Random knee-buckling
• Loss of range of motion
• Popping or cracking of the knees
• Bone spurs around the affected knee joint
• Swelling

What are the Causes of Osteoarthritis in Knee?

The majority of those who suffer from knee osteoarthritis are older women, particularly those who are obese. The reason the significantly overweight population is at higher risk is that the knees are weight-bearing joints and carry a great deal of our weight as we stand, move, or even turn over in bed as we sleep.

Others at risk for knee osteoarthritis include athletes who have sustained frequent injuries, even those that seemingly healed years ago. Others affected may have repetitive joint stress, bone deformities, genetics, or certain metabolic diseases. One common side effect of knee osteoarthritis is chronic knee pain, which can cause clinical depression and sleep disturbances from pain and disability.

Diagnosing Knee Osteoarthritis

Your knee surgeon will perform a physical exam where he will check the affected knee joint for tenderness, swelling, redness, and a lack of flexibility. Your knee doctor will then order X-rays of the knee joint. MRI scans are typically only ordered for more complex cases requiring a more detailed view of the bone, soft tissue, and cartilage. Blood tests and a joint fluid analysis may also be ordered to confirm a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis of the Knee Treatment

Unfortunately, knee osteoarthritis cannot be reversed, but treatments can reduce pain and help you obtain a better range of motion of the knee joints. Medications, cortisone injections, physical/occupational therapy, and surgery are all potential treatments for knee osteoarthritis. Conservative, nonsurgical approaches are generally attempted first unless the patient’s case of knee OA is very severe.

Surgical treatments for Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)

The main surgical procedure to repair knee osteoarthritis is a total knee joint replacement. In this surgery, also called total knee arthroplasty (TKA), your orthopedic surgeon will carefully remove the damaged knee joint and replace it with body-safe plastic and metal parts to restore the integrity of the joint. It will take time to get used to your new knee replacement prosthetics, which is why you should continue physical therapy once you heal substantially after your knee OA operation.

Nonsurgical treatments for Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)

• Medication: Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen, offer relief for mild, temporary knee pain.
• Weight loss: Since excess weight can stress the knee joint and exacerbate knee osteoarthritis, the doctor may devise a diet and exercise plan to help the patient lose weight. Some patients may opt to take weight-loss medications.
• Physical therapy: Stretching and other exercises may ease knee osteoarthritis pain.
• Platelet Rich Plasma: Known as PRP, this osteoarthritis knee treatment is safe, as it is made from the patient’s own blood.

When to See a Doctor for Knee Osteoarthritis

When knee osteoarthritis causes constant discomfort and limits your mobility and activities, it is time to see a doctor. When it comes to osteoarthritis in the knee, you want to ensure treatment by board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons who are specialized in treating all knee conditions, which is what you will find at Hoag Orthopedic Institute.

Hoag Orthopedic Institute has been ranked as “High Performing” by U.S. News & World Report for Knee Replacements in 2024-2025. And, HOI has performed the highest number of joint replacement procedures in the western United States. You will be in expert hands if you choose to have your knee replacement surgery at HOI.

Apart from these treatments, your doctor may advise you to lose weight if you are carrying extra pounds, which increases the pressure on weight-bearing joints, including the hips and knees. Even losing a small amount of weight can relieve tremendous pressure from these joints and alleviate pain from knee osteoarthritis.

Let the experts at Hoag Orthopedic Institute help manage your knee pain caused by knee osteoarthritis. Please call (949) 705-6493 to book your appointment.