There is no one-size-fits-all answer for knee arthritis treatment. The best option depends on several factors, including the severity of arthritis, an individual’s age and overall health, and personal preferences.
Symptoms of Knee Arthritis
Arthritis of the knee joint can cause a variety of symptoms. Pain is usually the first symptom to appear and may start gradually or suddenly. The pain may be localized to the joint or radiate outwards. It may worsen in the morning or after sitting or resting for a long time. Vigorous activity can also cause pain to flare up.
In addition to pain, other symptoms may include swelling and stiffness in the affected joint. This can make it difficult to bend and straighten the knee. Swelling is often worse in the morning but can also worsen with physical activity. Other signs of arthritis in the knee joint include redness, warmth, and decreased range of motion in the joint.
Common Knee Arthritis Treatment Options
The primary goal of treatment for knee arthritis is to reduce pain and improve mobility. Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the condition but may include lifestyle changes, medications, physical therapy, injections, or surgery.
- Pain management medications: Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be bought over the counter to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Physical therapy: A physical therapist can help improve joint mobility and stability through exercises and other techniques.
- Assistive devices: Canes, crutches, or knee braces can help reduce stress on the affected joint and improve mobility.
- Injections: Corticosteroid injections or hyaluronic acid injections can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the strain on the affected joint and slow the progression of arthritis.
- Surgery: In severe cases, surgery such as knee replacement may be necessary.
What are the Different Degrees of Knee Arthritis?
The most prevalent form of arthritis that affects your knees, osteoarthritis, has five stages:
Stage 0 (Normal): Your knees are healthy if you’re at stage 0. You don’t have knee arthritis.
Stage 1 (Minor): Stage 1 suggests that your knee joint has undergone stress or damage. It is unlikely that you will feel any pain.
Stage 2 (Mild): In this stage, you may have sufficient cartilage to prevent the bones around the knee from rubbing together; you will likely feel some pain.
Stage 3 (Moderate): In this intermediate stage, you’ll likely have some pain doing activities such as walking, running, kneeling, and crouching down. Also, following extended periods of relaxation, you’ll probably sense knee pain. Because of the increased narrowing of the cartilage and the presence of numerous bone spurs, you are undoubtedly in excruciating pain.
Stage 4 (Severe): When knee arthritis is severe, the cartilage is almost completely gone. Your knee hurts, is stiff, and you may even be immobile.
Consult With a Board Certified Physician For Non-Surgical Options for Knee Pain
It’s essential to consult with a doctor to determine the best treatment plan for knee arthritis. At Macomb Pain Management, our team of Board-Certified doctors has decades of experience helping patients avoid surgery and harmfully addictive pain medications to treat conditions such as severe knee pain. We would be happy to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors so that you can finally get relief from knee pain that may be taking over your life.
If you’d like to schedule a consultation today, feel free to reach out to our office by phone at (248) 844-8281 or fill out our online contact form, and we’ll follow up with you as soon as possible to schedule a knee pain treatment consultation.
