Arthritis of the knee comes in two major forms: osteoarthritis and
rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common, and it is
a degenerative disease that affects the cartilage.
Rheumatoid
arthritis, which also affects the cartilage, is characterized by swollen,
inflammed joints. Below is a table outlining the differences between
osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is important to note, however,
that overlap between the two does exist.
|
|
- Pain and stiffness worsens with use (symptons worse later in the
day)
|
- Pain and stiffness often better with use (symptoms worse beginning
of the day)
|
|
|
- Inflammation and swelling is minor
|
- Inflammation and swelling is apparent
|
|
|
Below is an image (courtesy of Merck & Co., Inc.) illustrating the difference
between an osteoarthritic knee (A) and a normal knee (B). Notice the
joint space
narrowing and
sclerotic or white areas in (A).
|
|
To treat arthritis, lifestyle modifications such as losing weight, changing
your sport from high-impact sports like running to cycling and swimming,
excercise, braces and other supportive devices, anti-inflammatory medications,
glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate (which help alleviate osteoarthritic
pain), among other medications. For severe arthritis that does not respond to the above therapies, surgery
may be indicated. At this point, the knee cartilage is often very worn
and damaged. Surgical treatments differ depending on each case. Options
include:
- Arthroscopic surgery -- repairs torn cartilage and cleans up the
joint.
- Knee arthroplasty -- after the joint is cleaned, metal and plastic
parts are used to partially or completely rebuild the knee.
- Osteotomy -- a bone or bones in the leg are trimmed to improve alignment
of the knee.
- Cartilage graft -- a relatively new procedure, it involves replacing
the damaged cartilage with new cartilage.
|
