Knee pain is a common occurrence for people of all ages, and it can happen due to a variety of reasons. You may be experiencing pain because of an injury, or you may even be suffering from an undiagnosed medical condition.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition that occurs in any joint, but Arthritis can be episodic and isolated to one part or a joint. OR chronic diffuse effecting the whole joint. Symptoms are: pain, swelling, stiffness that results in disability ( difficulty walking, standing, kneeling or negotiating stairs.
The most common types of arthritis in the knee include:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common.
It is common for people that are older in age, but can occur or be accelerated for people that have suffered joint injuries, were born with bone deformities, suffer from obesity or have put repeated stress on their joints, especially their knees, through their job or sports they play.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most debilitating forms of arthritis. It is an auto-immune condition that can affect more than just your joints. The condition can damage a wide variety of systems within the body, i.e. the skin, eyes, heart, and blood vessels. The condition occurs because your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body’s tissues, specifically the articular cartilage (gristle) coating over your bones in the joints
It is common for people that are older in age, but can occur or be accelerated for people that have suffered joint injuries, were born with bone deformities, suffer from obesity or have put repeated stress on their joints, especially their knees, through their job or sports they play.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most debilitating forms of arthritis. It is an auto-immune condition that can affect more than just your joints. The condition can damage a wide variety of systems within the body, i.e. the skin, eyes, heart, and blood vessels. The condition occurs because your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body’s tissues, specifically the articular cartilage (gristle) coating over your bones in the joints thickens the synovium leading to widespread joint disease.
Over 80% of sufferers are female.
About 40 percent of people who have Rheumatoid arthritis also experience a range of symptoms that do not involve the joints, including skin, eyes, and kidneys. The disease can occur at any age. The cause (aetiology) is unknown but there is a strong genetic (familial) element.
Gout
Gout is one of the most common types of arthritis in the knee, although it more commonly will occur in the big toe. An attack of gout usually happens very suddenly and quickly, affecting one joint most times, causing it to be very red, swollen and extremely sore to touch.
Most sufferers have a family history provoked by alcohol, rich foods eg//; shell fish/ prawns, meat. However, some can develop gout with cancer (and its treatments) or after major surgery if there is an underlying tendency. Though the traditional picture of a gout patient is an overweight male who drinks and eats rich food, women can also suffer gout especially after menopause.
If more than 2 attacks are occur, serious consideration should be given to modification of lifestyle and long term preventative medication treatment. If the latter is commenced with the correct consistent dosage, no further attacks should occur.
Pseudo GOUT
This is a crystalline inflammation usually of big joints, especially the knee, not dissimilar to Gout. There is no clear gender distinction or family history. It typically commences from middle age with no clear cause. Treatment is symptomatic with no preventative medication proven effective.
Doctor Julian Lane is a lower limb orthopaedic specialist and is highly experienced in diagnosing both complex and common types of arthritis in the knee. To improve your quality of life, contact the friendly team at Lane Orthopaedic Surgery today on 07 3394 4228.