Knee Arthritis
Arthritis is a painful disease of the joints that affects more than 50 million adults worldwide. The most common type of arthritis is that of the knee, which presents itself in various forms. The specific type of knee arthritis is defined based on the areas affected, prior injury of the knee, origin of the arthritis, and the age of the patient.
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Types of Knee Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
This first form of arthritis is the most common. Osteoarthritis can be found in any area of the body, but is most often located in the knees, hips, low back, or neck.
Causes
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis is a more specific form of osteoarthritis.
Causes
This type of arthritis is caused by the same degeneration of cartilage. However, this wear and tear is worsened by a particular injury to the knee such as a tear of the meniscus or the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis differs from osteoarthritis because rather than being solely located in the knee joint, rheumatoid arthritis can also be present throughout the rest of the body. You will find that if rheumatoid arthritis exists in a joint on one side of the body, it will also exist in the same joint on the other side of the body, which means that it will often be present in both knees.
Causes
As of now, there is no real explanation for the cause of rheumatoid arthritis. Many experts point to the proven relationship between autoimmune diseases and inflammation of the joints. It is unclear what exactly propels the immune system to go awry, but evidence suggests that genes, hormones, and environmental factors may play a crucial role.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
This particular form of arthritis is very similar to rheumatoid arthritis with the major difference being that juvenile idiopathic arthritis is found in children rather than adults.
Causes
Like rheumatoid arthritis, little is known about the exact cause of juvenile idiopathic arthritis except that it is believed to be linked to an autoimmune or autoinflammatory disease.
Reactive Arthritis
An inflammatory arthritis that may affect joints as well as other areas of the body like the eyes, skin, and urinary tract. It is caused by bacteria that has entered the bloodstream through the urogenital or gastrointestinal tract, and is often associated with conjunctivitis and urethritis.
Causes
This type of arthritis is very unique as it is caused by bacteria that has managed to enter the bloodstream by way of the urogenital tract or gastrointestinal tract. Due to its origin, reactive arthritis is often associated with both conjunctivitis and urethritis.
Symptoms of Knee Arthritis
Patients usually report the following symptoms of knee arthritis:
- Soreness or stiffness of the knee
- Limited range of mobility
- Swelling
- Accumulation of fluid around the joint
- Clicking or cracking during movement of the knee
- A grating or scraping sensation
- Pain that worsens during or after daily activity
- Fever and rash (specific to juvenile idiopathic arthritis)
If any of the above symptoms are drastically altering your lifestyle or causing severe pain, you may require some form of knee surgery such as a partial or total knee replacement.
Schedule a Knee Arthritis Consultation Today
If knee arthritis is affecting your quality of life, contact Midwest Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Alliance today at 414-384-6700. Our specialists in Southeastern Wisconsin will diagnose your condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.