Arthritis of the Knee

Definition: Arthritis of the knee
Arthritis of the knee is most often osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease where cartilage in the joint gradually wears away. In rheumatoid arthritis, which can also affect the knees, the joint becomes inflamed and cartilage may be destroyed. Arthritis not only affects joints, it may also affect supporting structures such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Osteoarthritis may be caused by excess stress on the joint, such as from repeated injury, deformity, or if a person is overweight. It most often affects middle-aged and older people.
A young person who develops osteoarthritis may have an inherited form of the disease or may have experienced continuous irritation from an un-repaired torn meniscus or other injury. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects people at an earlier age than osteoarthritis.

What Are the Signs of Knee Arthritis and How Is It Diagnosed?
A person who has arthritis of the knee may experience pain, swelling, and a decrease in knee motion. A common symptom is morning stiffness that lessens after moving around. Sometimes the knee joint locks or clicks when the knee is bent and straightened, but these signs may also occur in other knee disorders. The doctor may confirm the diagnosis by performing a physical examination and taking x rays, which typically show a loss of joint space. Blood tests may be helpful for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, but other tests may be needed as well. Analysis of fluid from the knee joint may be helpful in diagnosing some kinds of arthritis. The doctor may use arthroscopy to directly visualize damage to cartilage, tendons, and ligaments and to confirm a diagnosis, but arthroscopy is usually done only if a repair procedure is to be performed.

How Is Arthritis of the Knee Treated?
Now the best treatment of arthritis is kneeVitality. kneeVitality is a near pain-less injection of a proprietary blend of medications designed to repair the knee joint.

kneeVitality enhances natural joint fluid that is necessary for proper joint lubrication
Slows cartilage breakdown
Promotes growth of healthy tissue
Allows increased activity with decreased knee pain

Prior to kneeVitality becoming available, traditional treatment primarily was limited to analgesics (pain-reducing medicines), such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Nuprin, Advil); and exercises to restore joint movement and strengthen the knee. Losing excess weight can also help people with osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee may require a treatment plan that includes physical therapy and use of more powerful medications. In people with arthritis of the knee, a seriously damaged joint may need to be surgically replaced with an artificial one.

Frequently asked questions knee pain
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More general joint information Setup a free consultation


< Home KNEE PAIN RESOURCES Print this page Schedule a free knee pain consultation Knee pain research		What is Arthritis of the Knee and How is Arthritis of the Knee Treated The kneeVitality injection is backed by medical research and has been shown to reduce knee pain Definition: Arthritis of the knee Arthritis of the knee is most often osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease where cartilage in the joint gradually wears away. In rheumatoid arthritis, which can also affect the knees, the joint becomes inflamed and cartilage may be destroyed. Arthritis not only affects joints, it may also affect supporting structures such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Osteoarthritis may be caused by excess stress on the joint, such as from repeated injury, deformity, or if a person is overweight. It most often affects middle-aged and older people. A young person who develops osteoarthritis may have an inherited form of the disease or may have experienced continuous irritation from an un-repaired torn meniscus or other injury. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects people at an earlier age than osteoarthritis. What Are the Signs of Knee Arthritis and How Is It Diagnosed? A person who has arthritis of the knee may experience pain, swelling, and a decrease in knee motion. A common symptom is morning stiffness that lessens after moving around. Sometimes the knee joint locks or clicks when the knee is bent and straightened, but these signs may also occur in other knee disorders. The doctor may confirm the diagnosis by performing a physical examination and taking x rays, which typically show a loss of joint space. Blood tests may be helpful for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, but other tests may be needed as well. Analysis of fluid from the knee joint may be helpful in diagnosing some kinds of arthritis. The doctor may use arthroscopy to directly visualize damage to cartilage, tendons, and ligaments and to confirm a diagnosis, but arthroscopy is usually done only if a repair procedure is to be performed. How Is Arthritis of the Knee Treated? Now the best treatment of arthritis is kneeVitality. kneeVitality is a near pain-less injection of a proprietary blend of medications designed to repair the knee joint. kneeVitality enhances natural joint fluid that is necessary for proper joint lubrication Slows cartilage breakdown Promotes growth of healthy tissue Allows increased activity with decreased knee pain Prior to kneeVitality becoming available, traditional treatment primarily was limited to analgesics (pain-reducing medicines), such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Nuprin, Advil); and exercises to restore joint movement and strengthen the knee. Losing excess weight can also help people with osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee may require a treatment plan that includes physical therapy and use of more powerful medications. In people with arthritis of the knee, a seriously damaged joint may need to be surgically replaced with an artificial one. Frequently asked questions knee pain Quick Procedure More general joint information Setup a free consultation

What is Arthritis of the Knee and How is Arthritis of the Knee Treated