Osteoarthritis involves two primary processes:
- The cartilage in the joints breaks down
- Abnormal bony growths develop, called osteophytes or bone spurs.
How Knee Osteoarthritis Causes Pain
The knee is a flexible, weight-bearing joint especially prone to wear-and-tear and therefore likely to be affected by osteoarthritis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of Americans may experience the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis at some point during their lives, and it is a leading cause of disability in people over age 50.1An arthritic knee has thinned, damaged or missing cartilage in the joint. The damaged cartilage is not in and of itself a source of pain or other symptoms. Instead, the damaged or missing cartilage causes friction between bones and other knee problems, which in turn cause knee pain and related symptoms.
Knee Joint Anatomy and Osteoarthritis
Other than some sort of trauma or acute injury, the most common source of pain in the knee joint is arthritis, usually osteoarthritis. Inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout, are less commonIt is important to note that cartilage does not contain nerves, so damaged cartilage is not the primary source of pain in knee osteoarthritis. Likewise, bone spurs are a normal sign of aging and the presence of bone spurs alone are not a cause for concern. However, the friction between bones and other resulting abnormalities in the knee can cause discomfort and pain.
Chronic knee discomfort and/or minor pain may warrant the evaluation since an appropriate treatment program can encourage healthy joint function and minimize or halt the progression of symptoms. As a general rule, if the osteoarthritis is diagnosed and treated early in the disease process, health care professionals believe that the outcome will be better for the patient in terms of less pain and fewer complications.
Medications
The medications of Best Pain Management in New York can be used to alleviate symptoms and slow the progression of ankle osteoarthritis. Doctor and patient should discuss medication in the context of the patient’s lifestyle, the severity of pain and medical history. Potential side effects and interaction with other drugs and vitamins/supplements should also be considered.
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