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Did you know... Many people report that changes in the weather affect the degree of arthritis pain.
Cause
Knee arthritis is a degenerative condition of the knee joint, which typically causes knee pain, stiffness, and difficulty walking. The most common causes are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and previous injuries to the knee.
Symptoms
Symptoms of knee Arthritis include:
- Gradual increase of pain in the knee
- Stiff, swollen knee
- Difficulty bending or straightening the knee
- Pain and swelling that worsens in the morning or after a period of inactivity
- Increase in pain after activities such as walking, stair climbing, or kneeling
- Feeling of weakness in the knee, resulting in locking or buckling
Treatments
Initial treatment includes activity modification such as weight loss, walking with a cane or walker, and therapy. Anti-inflammatory medications can also be used to help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis under the close supervision of a physician. Cortisone shots are often very effective in relieving the pain of arthritis for variable periods of time. If all conservative measures should fail, then total knee replacement is a very effective way of relieving pain and restoring function and is successful in over 95% of patients.
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