Arthritis of the Knee

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Post-traumatic arthritis

Symptoms of arthritis
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.

Making the diagnosis
Your kneeVitality doctor will perform a physical examination that focuses on your walk, the range of motion in the limb, and joint swelling or tenderness. X-rays typically show a loss of joint space in the affected knee. Blood and other special imaging tests such as an MRI may be needed to diagnose RA.
Treatment options
The best treatment is prevention with kneeVitality.

Free kneeVitality consultation - 10 min procedure that relieves knee pain from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post traumatic arthritis.
Like many professional athletes (baseball, football, skiing, runners) - Getting the kneeVitality treatments before you experience any pain can prevent the wear and tear that results in arthritis.
Lifestyle modifications can include losing weight, switching from running or jumping exercises to swimming or cycling, and minimizing activities such as climbing stairs that aggravate the condition.
Exercises can help increase range of motion and flexibility as well as help strengthen the muscles in the leg.
Using supportive devices such as a cane, wearing energy-absorbing shoes or inserts, or wearing a brace or knee sleeve can be helpful.
Other measures may include applications of heat or ice, water exercises, liniments or elastic bandages.

In addition to the nearly pain free kneeVitality treatment several types of drugs can be used in treating arthritis of the knee. Because every patient is different, and because not all people respond the same to medications, your kneeVitality orthopedist will develop a program for your specific condition.

Glucosamine and chondroitin (kon-dro'-i-tin) sulfate are oral supplements may relieve the pain of osteoarthritis. Description of glucosamine.
Anti-inflammatory medications can include aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help reduce swelling in the joint. Knee pain Cure
Similar to kneeVitality in substance - Hyaluronate (hi-a-lou'-ron-ate) viscosupplmentation therapy consists of a series of injections designed to change the character of the joint fluid.
Hyaluronic Acid Knee Injections
Hyaluronic Acid Knee Injections
Special medical treatments for RA include gold salt injections and other disease-modifying drugs.
Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory agents that can be injected into the joint. However, this could result in long term degradation of the joint.
Pain behind knee

Surgical Treatment
If your arthritis extremely sever you may need more extensive surgery.

Arthroscopic surgery uses fiber optic technology to enable the surgeon to see inside the joint and clean it of debris or repair torn cartilage.
Arthroscopy for knee pain diagnosis
An osteotomy cuts the shinbone (tibia) or the thighbone (femur) to improve the alignment of the knee joint.
A total or partial knee arthroplasty replaces the severely damaged knee joint cartilage with metal and plastic.
Cartilage grafting is possible for some knees with limited or contained cartilage loss from trauma or arthritis.
Reasons behind knee pain

Prior to kneeVitality treatment was primarily limited analgesics (pain-reducing medicines), such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Nuprin, Advil); and exercises to restore joint movement and strengthen the knee. Losing excess weight can also help people with osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee may require a treatment plan that includes physical therapy and use of more powerful medications. In people with arthritis of the knee, a seriously damaged joint may need to be surgically replaced with an artificial one.

Frequently asked questions knee pain
Quick Procedure
More general joint information
Setup a free consultation


< Home KNEE PAIN RESOURCES Print this page Schedule a free knee pain consultation Knee pain research		Arthritis of the Knee There are three broad categories of arthritis. 1. 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. 2. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory type of arthritis that can destroy the joint cartilage. RA can occur at any age. RA generally affects both knees. 3. Post-traumatic arthritis can develop after an injury to the knee. This type of arthritis is similar to osteoarthritis and may develop years after a fracture, ligament injury or meniscus tear. Symptoms of arthritis 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. Making the diagnosis Your kneeVitality doctor will perform a physical examination that focuses on your walk, the range of motion in the limb, and joint swelling or tenderness. X-rays typically show a loss of joint space in the affected knee. Blood and other special imaging tests such as an MRI may be needed to diagnose RA. Treatment options The best treatment is prevention with kneeVitality. Free kneeVitality consultation - 10 min procedure that relieves knee pain from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post traumatic arthritis. Like many professional athletes (baseball, football, skiing, runners) - Getting the kneeVitality treatments before you experience any pain can prevent the wear and tear that results in arthritis. Lifestyle modifications can include losing weight, switching from running or jumping exercises to swimming or cycling, and minimizing activities such as climbing stairs that aggravate the condition. Exercises can help increase range of motion and flexibility as well as help strengthen the muscles in the leg. Using supportive devices such as a cane, wearing energy-absorbing shoes or inserts, or wearing a brace or knee sleeve can be helpful. Other measures may include applications of heat or ice, water exercises, liniments or elastic bandages. In addition to the nearly pain free kneeVitality treatment several types of drugs can be used in treating arthritis of the knee. Because every patient is different, and because not all people respond the same to medications, your kneeVitality orthopedist will develop a program for your specific condition. Glucosamine and chondroitin (kon-dro'-i-tin) sulfate are oral supplements may relieve the pain of osteoarthritis. Description of glucosamine. Anti-inflammatory medications can include aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help reduce swelling in the joint. Knee pain Cure Similar to kneeVitality in substance - Hyaluronate (hi-a-lou'-ron-ate) viscosupplmentation therapy consists of a series of injections designed to change the character of the joint fluid. Hyaluronic Acid Knee Injections Hyaluronic Acid Knee Injections Special medical treatments for RA include gold salt injections and other disease-modifying drugs. Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory agents that can be injected into the joint. However, this could result in long term degradation of the joint. Pain behind knee Surgical Treatment If your arthritis extremely sever you may need more extensive surgery. Arthroscopic surgery uses fiber optic technology to enable the surgeon to see inside the joint and clean it of debris or repair torn cartilage. Arthroscopy for knee pain diagnosis An osteotomy cuts the shinbone (tibia) or the thighbone (femur) to improve the alignment of the knee joint. A total or partial knee arthroplasty replaces the severely damaged knee joint cartilage with metal and plastic. Cartilage grafting is possible for some knees with limited or contained cartilage loss from trauma or arthritis. Reasons behind knee pain Prior to kneeVitality treatment was primarily limited analgesics (pain-reducing medicines), such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Nuprin, Advil); and exercises to restore joint movement and strengthen the knee. Losing excess weight can also help people with osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee may require a treatment plan that includes physical therapy and use of more powerful medications. In people with arthritis of the knee, a seriously damaged joint may need to be surgically replaced with an artificial one. Frequently asked questions knee pain Quick Procedure More general joint information Setup a free consultation