What is knee pain
Knee pain is the most common musculoskeletal complaint that brings people to their doctor. With today’s increasingly active society, the number of knee problems is increasing. Knee pain has a wide variety of specific causes and treatments.
SYMPTOMS & DIAGNOSIS
Knee arthritis symptoms vary greatly from person to person and even day to day. Some days there may be no pain at all, other days you may be in agony.
You may find that there is something in particular that aggravates your symptoms, or you may feel there is no pattern at all.
Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of knee pain in the over fifties age group, affecting approximately sixteen million people worldwide.
Arthritis is commonly known as “wear and tear” and is caused by thinning and inflammation of the cartilage lining the knee joint and the associated bony spurs that develop around it, making the knee stiff and sore.
Here we will look at how the most common symptoms of knee arthritis and how the disease is diagnosed. To find out more about what arthritis is, what causes it and the best treatment option, visit the knee arthritis guide.
You may find that there is something in particular that aggravates your symptoms, or you may feel there is no pattern at all.
Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of knee pain in the over fifties age group, affecting approximately sixteen million people worldwide.
Arthritis is commonly known as “wear and tear” and is caused by thinning and inflammation of the cartilage lining the knee joint and the associated bony spurs that develop around it, making the knee stiff and sore.
Here we will look at how the most common symptoms of knee arthritis and how the disease is diagnosed. To find out more about what arthritis is, what causes it and the best treatment option, visit the knee arthritis guide.
COMMON KNEE ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMS
Knee arthritis symptoms vary massively between people and often fluctuate, but common symptoms include
KNEE PAIN
Pain is the most common complaint with knee arthritis and is typically felt when trying to fully bend or straighten the knee e.g. squatting, and with activities where lots of weight goes through the knee e.g. going up and down stairs or running.
The knee is often sore when you touch it. Pain levels tend to fluctuate. People often describe arthritis pain as being like a nagging toothache. There are a number of things you can do to reduce the pain – visit the arthritis treatment section to find out more.
The knee is often sore when you touch it. Pain levels tend to fluctuate. People often describe arthritis pain as being like a nagging toothache. There are a number of things you can do to reduce the pain – visit the arthritis treatment section to find out more.
STIFFNESS
Another one of the most common knee arthritis symptoms is stiffness which can limit how much you can bend and straighten your knee. Stiffness first thing in the morning or after prolonged inactivity e.g. sitting for long periods is a classic feature of knee arthritis.
The stiffness usually eases after a few minutes of moving around. Doing gentle exercises when you first wake up or when you are sitting can really help reduce this stiffness.
STIFFNESS
Another one of the most common knee arthritis symptoms is stiffness which can limit how much you can bend and straighten your knee. Stiffness first thing in the morning or after prolonged inactivity e.g. sitting for long periods is a classic feature of knee arthritis.
The stiffness usually eases after a few minutes of moving around. Doing gentle exercises when you first wake up or when you are sitting can really help reduce this stiffness.
SWELLING
Knee swelling is another common feature of arthritis. The swelling tends to fluctuate and can cause pain and restricted movement. Ice and tubigrip can really help to reduce the swelling associated with arthritis. Use the links to find out more.
WEAKNESS & INSTABILITY
Sometimes arthritis can cause weakness and instability around the knee, and the knee may give way at times.
A vicious cycle often exists with knee arthritis where due to pain, we move around less so the muscles get weak and the joint stiffens. Then it hurts more so we do even less and the muscles get weaker still.
Strengthening exercises for the knee muscles can help to reduce this and are one of the most effective treatments for knee arthritis.
A vicious cycle often exists with knee arthritis where due to pain, we move around less so the muscles get weak and the joint stiffens. Then it hurts more so we do even less and the muscles get weaker still.
Strengthening exercises for the knee muscles can help to reduce this and are one of the most effective treatments for knee arthritis.
WEAKNESS & INSTABILITY
Sometimes arthritis can cause weakness and instability around the knee, and the knee may give way at times.
A vicious cycle often exists with knee arthritis where due to pain, we move around less so the muscles get weak and the joint stiffens. Then it hurts more so we do even less and the muscles get weaker still.
Strengthening exercises for the knee muscles can help to reduce this and are one of the most effective treatments for knee arthritis.
A vicious cycle often exists with knee arthritis where due to pain, we move around less so the muscles get weak and the joint stiffens. Then it hurts more so we do even less and the muscles get weaker still.
Strengthening exercises for the knee muscles can help to reduce this and are one of the most effective treatments for knee arthritis.
FLUCTUATING SYMPTOMS
People often find their knee arthritis symptoms vary greatly. Some days they feel fine, other days they are in complete agony.
Knee arthritis symptoms are often worse during
Bad weather
the thinking behind this is that the change in air pressure affects the pressure in our joints
When we are stressed/anxious/tired
During these times chemicals are released in our body that make us feel pain more
When we are unwell
inflammatory chemicals are often released into our system when we are ill, increasing arthritis knee pain
Bad weather
the thinking behind this is that the change in air pressure affects the pressure in our joints
When we are stressed/anxious/tired
During these times chemicals are released in our body that make us feel pain more
When we are unwell
inflammatory chemicals are often released into our system when we are ill, increasing arthritis knee pain
DIAGNOSING ARTHRITIS
Arthritis will be suspected from
If knee arthritis is suspected, your doctor will normally arrange for an x-ray which will confirm or deny the diagnosis.
However, it is important to know that what the x-ray shows often bears little correlation with what people feel. For more information about this, visit the arthritis stages section.
However, it is important to know that what the x-ray shows often bears little correlation with what people feel. For more information about this, visit the arthritis stages section.
Your History
the information you give about your knee arthritis symptoms such as the location of the pain, activities that make it better or worse and what it feels like and
Physical Presentation
the movements, strength and shape of your knee
Physical Presentation
the movements, strength and shape of your knee
Your History
the information you give about your knee arthritis symptoms such as the location of the pain, activities that make it better or worse and what it feels like and
DIAGNOSING ARTHRITIS
Arthritis will be suspected from
If knee arthritis is suspected, your doctor will normally arrange for an x-ray which will confirm or deny the diagnosis.
However, it is important to know that what the x-ray shows often bears little correlation with what people feel. For more information about this, visit the arthritis stages section.
However, it is important to know that what the x-ray shows often bears little correlation with what people feel. For more information about this, visit the arthritis stages section.
Your History
the information you give about your knee arthritis symptoms such as the location of the pain, activities that make it better or worse and what it feels like and
Physical Presentation
the movements, strength and shape of your knee
Treatment
Genicular Artery Embolization
Genicular Artery Embolization for knee Pain
There are 6 branches of Genicular Artery which supply blood to the knee joint. From 6 vessels, 1 to 3 vessels arteries are culprit vessels which is known as ‘Moya Moya’ blood vessels. Small embolizing particles are injected within it. This will block abnormal blood vessels & the normal blood vessels remain intact. By doing this 60-80% of Knee pain reduces.
What is the Non-Surgical Permanent Solution?
GAE ( Genicular Artery Embolization )
Knee osteoarthritis is a common problem among the general population. With time, the knee joint cartilage capsule will deteriorate. Knee pain is a typical indication of decreased joint space in knee discomfort.
Benefits of GAE
Long-Term Effects GAE has a success record of 78 percent in reducing knee pain for 2 to 3 years or longer extremely efficient for relieving pain. In the previously stated Okuno study, 86 percent of patients indicated that their pain was decreased by more than 50 percent within 6 months of undergoing the procedure.
Is it effective in all stages of osteoarthritis of knee joint?
There are 4 stages of osteoarthritis of the knee joint. In 1-3 stages , some portion of cartilage is left so the genicular artery embolization works best in first 3 stages. In 4th stage there is no cartilage left, so whenever the patient will walk, there is friction between two bones. This friction will leads to osteogenic pain & it will not be reduced by genicular artery embolization. If there is significant meniscal tear then G.A.E will not be effective.
Is it effective in all stages of osteoarthritis of knee joint?
There are 4 stages of osteoarthritis of the knee joint. In 1-3 stages , some portion of cartilage is left so the genicular artery embolization works best in first 3 stages. In 4th stage there is no cartilage left, so whenever the patient will walk, there is friction between two bones. This friction will leads to osteogenic pain & it will not be reduced by genicular artery embolization. If there is significant meniscal tear then G.A.E will not be effective.
Patient Reviews
FAQ
Click on the down arrow button to see the answer.
Osteoarthritis (OA) occurs when the cartilage between the bones breaks down, causing joint pain. It is commonly caused by wear and tear and can cause joints to be swollen and difficult to move. Osteoarthritis is also called degenerative joint disease (DJD). A person is at greater risk of OA if they have injured a joint or regularly engage in repeated stressful motions on a joint. Obesity and age are also common risk factors.
The main difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is that osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis. Arthritis is defined as swelling of the joints that causes pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that is caused by wear and tear. There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. Another common form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis, which is a chronic inflammatory disorder where the immune system attacks the body’s tissue, joints, and sometimes even organs.
The main cause of OA is stress on the joints over time. The cartilage wears away with regular stress on the joints, causing pain. Other causes include connective tissue disease, abnormal development of joints or limbs, previous injuries to the joints, or inherited factors. Inflammatory mediators could also play a role in the process of osteoarthritis.
The stages of osteoarthritis range from normal to severe. There are four different stages of OA, those are:
- Stage 1 (Minor) is when the joint shows minor wear and bone spur growth. At this stage, it is not common for patients to experience pain or discomfort.
- Stage 2 (Mild) is when the joint shows increase bone spur growth. At this stage, patients begin to develop joint pain symptoms.
- Stage 3 (Moderate) is when the joint shows obvious cartilage erosion. At this stage, there is inflammation that causes pain during use and stiffness after long periods of limited use.
- Stage 4 (Severe) is when the space of the joint between the bones is reduced, causing the cartilage to wear. This causes stiffness in the joint. There is a chronic inflammatory response to the breakdown of cartilage, causing greater pain during use.
There are many treatment options available, and asking your doctor is the best approach to determine which treatment option for osteoarthritis is right for you. Treatment options include physical activity, weight loss, OTC NSAID medications, injections, joint replacement, and minimally invasive procedures like Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE).
Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed in an outpatient setting by a physician specifically trained in minimally invasive procedures. These physicians include interventional radiologists, interventional cardiologists, and vascular surgeons. The physician, through a small puncture in the groin, places a small catheter down the leg into the knee joint. Using a catheter, the physician injects small particles that block the capillaries around the lining of the knee. This reduces blood flow to the part of the knee that is inflamed, resulting in a reduction in pain.
Modern Vascular is a group of affiliated outpatient medical clinics managed by interventional radiologists, interventional cardiologists, and vascular surgeons. Some Modern Vascular facilities are currently offering GAE procedures. Check the to find out where this procedure is available.