Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Arthritis of the knee jointis one of the most common causes of knee pain. Differenttypes of arthritiscan affect the knee joint, and the treatment varies depending on the specific condition that is causing the symptoms.
Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) can also affect theknees. RA is an immune system disorder where the body attacks the joints and other tissues.
This article discusses the symptoms and causes of arthritis of the knee joint. It also covers how it’s diagnosed and how treatment can help you manage it.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
What Does Arthritis in the Knee Feel Like?
Depending on the type of arthritis, symptoms tend to gradually progress as your condition worsens. They can also suddenly worsen with minor injury or overuse.
The most common symptoms of knee arthritis include:
Pain with knee arthritis is usually worse after activity, especially with overuse. Stiffness is common after sitting for long periods.
As knee arthritis worsens, pain becomes more frequent or may become constant with or without activity.
What Causes Knee Arthritis?
Knee arthritis results in loss of cartilage—smooth tissue that acts like a cushion—in the knee joint. There are many risk factors and causes of knee arthritis, including:
How Is Knee Arthritis Diagnosed?
No single test can make a definitive diagnosis of knee arthritis, so your healthcare provider will use imaging studies, a comprehensive medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.
Many people over age 50 will have signs of wear and tear in their joints that can be seen onX-rays, If there is a concern about a serious cause, your healthcare provider may ordermagnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can provide detailed images of bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
Lab work is helpful in diagnosing or excluding certain causes of knee pain, such asinflammatory arthritis. Lab tests may include blood work and knee aspiration, which involves taking fluid from the knee joint and examining it for abnormalities and infection.
What Can You Do for Arthritis in the Knees?
Knee arthritis is not curable, but it can be managed with treatments. Depending on the type of arthritis, the goal of treatment is to provide pain relief, improve joint mobility and strength, control symptoms to the most possible extent, and prevent further damage to the joint.
Treatment for knee arthritis includes lifestyle modifications, medication, and surgery.
Lifestyle
There are a number of lifestyle changes and techniques that can help you manage knee osteoarthritis:
Medications
Medication for treating knee arthritis may include anti-inflammatory medicines and pain relievers.
For the treatment of knee arthritis resulting from RA, corticosteroids or disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may be prescribed to manage inflammation:
Surgery
Surgery is typically a last-resort treatment for knee arthritis. There are different types of procedures. Some repair and preserve bone while others replace knee joints entirely. Types of knee surgery include:
Knee Arthroscopy
Knee arthroscopy is minimally invasive and involves surgical treatment using an arthroscope (an optical device with a tiny camera) inserted in a joint through a small incision. Additional incisions are made, as needed.
The procedure starts with diagnosing the problem, such as a misaligned kneecap or torn meniscus. Once the surgeon has made a diagnosis, they will repair the structures with small tools designed for grasping, shaving, cutting, repairing, and anchor stitching.
All About Knee Arthroscopy
Knee Osteotomy
A knee osteotomy involves cutting out a wedge from either the shin bone or thigh bone to realign the knee and offload pressure from the damaged portion of the joint. Healthcare providers recommend this procedure to correct the bowlegged alignment of a knee.
Knee Replacement Surgery
Knee replacement surgery is among the most commonly performed orthopedic surgical procedures.
With a total knee replacement, the damaged cartilage is removed from the entire knee joint and a metal or plastic implant is inserted in its place.This way the bones of the knee joint are smooth so they can flex and bend freely without pain.
Partial knee replacementinvolves replacement of only one part of the knee.
All About Knee Replacement
Summary
Arthritis of the knee is a common cause of knee pain. Osteoarthritis is the most common type, but rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can also affect the knees.
Symptoms of knee arthritis include pain with activity, limited range of motion, stiffness, swelling, and joint deformity. Risk factors include older age, being overweight, having relatives with arthritis, and having a previous knee injury.
Knee arthritis is diagnosed through physical exams, lab tests, and imaging studies such as X-rays and MRI. Treatment can help manage knee arthritis and may include lifestyle changes, medications, and, in some cases, surgery.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Arthritis of the knee.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis risk factors.Gersing AS, Link TM.Imaging of osteoarthritis in geriatric patients.Curr Radiol Rep. 2016;4(1):4. doi:10.1007/s40134-015-0133-9Arthritis Foundation.When knee pain may mean arthritis.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Knee arthroscopy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Osteotomy of the knee.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Total knee replacement.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Arthritis of the knee.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis risk factors.Gersing AS, Link TM.Imaging of osteoarthritis in geriatric patients.Curr Radiol Rep. 2016;4(1):4. doi:10.1007/s40134-015-0133-9Arthritis Foundation.When knee pain may mean arthritis.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Knee arthroscopy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Osteotomy of the knee.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Total knee replacement.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Arthritis of the knee.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis risk factors.Gersing AS, Link TM.Imaging of osteoarthritis in geriatric patients.Curr Radiol Rep. 2016;4(1):4. doi:10.1007/s40134-015-0133-9Arthritis Foundation.When knee pain may mean arthritis.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Knee arthroscopy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Osteotomy of the knee.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Total knee replacement.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Arthritis of the knee.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis risk factors.
Gersing AS, Link TM.Imaging of osteoarthritis in geriatric patients.Curr Radiol Rep. 2016;4(1):4. doi:10.1007/s40134-015-0133-9
Arthritis Foundation.When knee pain may mean arthritis.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Knee arthroscopy.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Osteotomy of the knee.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Total knee replacement.
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