Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of knee arthritis. OA is usually a slowly progressive degenerative disease in which the joint cartilage gradually wears away. It most often affects middle-aged and older people.
Causes
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people around the world. Often called wear-and-tear arthritis, osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time.
Symptoms
Generally, the pain associated with arthritis develops gradually, although sudden onset is also possible.
The joint may become stiff and swollen, making it difficult to bend or straighten the knee.
Pain and swelling are worse in the morning or after a period of inactivity. Pain may also increase after activities such as walking, stair climbing, or kneeling.
The pain may often cause a feeling of weakness in the knee, resulting in a “locking” or “buckling.”
Many people report that changes in the weather also affect the degree of pain from arthritis.
Treatment
Procedural treatment for osteoarthritic joints include cortisone injections into the joint that can help decrease pain and inflammation. Viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid derivatives are another injection option. Regenerative type injections such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are also being used experimentally to provide a healthier environment to promote healing in the degenerated joint.