Osteoarthritis, or knee arthritis, is a common form of arthritis that affects the cartilage of the joints located in the knees. It can also sometimes be called degenerative joint disease because of the progressive wear and tear. When a person suffers from knee arthritis, the cartilage that protects the knee joints start to wear away, leaving the joint bone exposed. This form of arthritis is more common for those aged 50 and above. It is also common in overweight patients due to more strain and pressure at the leg area. Studies show that knee arthritis is a genetic disease. Other factors that can cause osteoarthritis are knee trauma, bone fractures and ligament damage.

As the disease progresses, the symptoms also start to worsen. However, the symptoms tend to fluctuate, instead of progressing in a steady manner. These symptoms include pain and discomfort, swelling and soreness of the knee joints, deformity of the knee joints and limited range of motion. If you start to experience any of these symptoms, it is best to seek help from your doctor as soon as possible. Early detection and diagnosis can help slow down the disease process.

There are plenty of treatments for knee arthritis. They can range from a simple exercise routine to surgery. The treatment will be dependent on the severity of the case. For obese individuals who suffer from knee arthritis, weight loss is the primary treatment. Weigh loss will help lessen the strain and pressure that is put on the knee joints, thus alleviating the pain that is caused by osteoarthritis. Individuals are also advised to use walking aids if they have difficulty in movement. This will also help lessen the pressure on the affected joints. Doctors may also advise their patients to limit their daily activities. There is also physical therapy that can help the muscles around the affected knee joints to become stronger and prevent muscle atrophy. Cortisone injections and anti-inflammatory medications can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation of the knee joints. For those with limited osteoarthritis, partial knee replacement is a procedure that will replace part of the knee, while total knee replacement will remove the whole knee cartilage and be replaced with artificial knee implants made from plastic and metal.