There are different forms of arthritis all of which can affect the knee resulting in knee pain and swelling. These forms include osteoarthritis which is the most common form, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis. Below is a breakdown of the effects of these conditions on the affected knee:
Osteoarthritis
It is a chronic condition that causes the cartilage at the end of one's bones to progressively break down and rub against each other causing joint pains, stiffness, and loss of mobility. The knee is one of the joints prone to the effects of osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis
This chronic disease causes inflammation in the joints when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium membrane that thinly lines the joints. It causes joint pains, redness, swelling, loss of function, and ultimately, disability.
Juvenile arthritis
As the name suggests, juvenile arthritis starts to develop at age 16 or younger. It occurs in different forms such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). The condition may cause knee pain and swelling.
Gout
This form of arthritis develops when excess uric acid in the blood is deposited in the body tissue as needle-shaped monosodium urate crystals. The crystals collect in the joints and cause unbearable pain and swelling which often follows an injury to the joint. Successive attacks occur from time to time in the joints before the condition becomes chronic.
Other forms of arthritis include reactive arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and infectious arthritis. Below is a list of possible effects and symptoms of arthritis in the knee:
- A slow but progressive increase in knee pain. The pain felt when walking, climbing, stairs, or when standing up after an extended period of sitting or lying down.
- Periodic inflammation in the knee area. It appears as swelling or tenderness.
- Joint buckling or locking,
- Cracking or popping sounds in the knees when walking.
- Reduced range of motion.
- Deformities in the knee.
- Loss of joint space in the knee.
Consult your doctor whenever you experience these effects and consider the most effective treatment for your arthritis to restore daily life activity.
For more information on arthritis and knee replacement surgery, contact Dr. Dan Albright at 919-863-6808.