Knee arthritis often can feel like a slow-burning fire. It can start with the occasional stiffness, and grow into something that dictates your daily schedule and interrupts your overall well-being. While wear and tear are natural parts of aging, there comes a time when managing your condition may require professional intervention.
“Arthritis is a condition that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints – the places where two bones meet, like your knees, hips, and shoulders,” said Dr. Ethan Ruhland, an Orthopedic Surgeon at Michigan Orthopedic Center. “Think of a joint like a door hinge. At the end of the bone is cartilage, which acts as a cushion or absorber. Cartilage can wear down over time, causing inflammation and damage to your bones.”
The knee is one of the hardest-working joints in the body. It carries your body weight every time you stand, walk, climb stairs, or get up from a chair. Because it does so much work, it’s especially susceptible to developing arthritis over time.
“When you have arthritis in your knee, you may feel stiffness, especially in the morning; it may hurt to walk or bend, and can feel warm and swollen,” said Dr. Ruhland.
Arthritis can often be managed through activity modifications, or supplements (such as Glucosamine chondroitin, Osteo Bi-Flex, or turmeric with black pepper), as well as the use of anti-inflammatory medications, including over-the-counter ibuprofen or naproxen, and prescription-based medications, like Meloxicam and Celecoxib. Among other non-surgical treatment options, physical therapy, steroid injections, and brace-wearing can also provide support.
While every patient is different, Dr. Ruhland states that there are five key signs not to ignore when dealing with knee arthritis.
- Pain
Dr. Ruhland suggests that when you are having significant pain more than half the days of the month, it may be time to consider discussing other options, including surgical intervention, with your orthopedic specialist.
- Persistent Instability
If you no longer “trust” your knee, are beginning to feel like it’s locking in place, or it’s “catching” on something inside the joint, you should have the knee evaluated. Pain from bone-on-bone arthritis, bone wear, or loose joint bodies (cartilage or bone chips from spurs) can all lead to instability symptoms that may increase your risk of falling.
- Difficulty with Daily Activities
If daily essentials—climbing stairs, standing up, or simply walking—have turned into sources of pain or struggle, your arthritis has likely reached a more advanced stage.
- Sleep disruption
Rest is a time when your body can regenerate. If you are waking up in the middle of the night because of a dull ache or pain in your knees, it may suggest that inflammation has reached a high level that isn’t allowing your body to quiet down and heal.
- Other treatments aren’t helping
“Many patients I take care of can often achieve long-term symptomatic relief from non-operative treatment options, but when those things begin to no longer manage symptoms, surgery should be considered,” said Dr. Ruhland.
Knee replacement surgery involves resurfacing the end of the thigh bone and the top of the shin bone with metal and plastic. Depending on the severity of a patient’s condition, they may need a partial (one part of the knee) or a total replacement. Dr. Ruhland, who performs knee replacement procedures at McLaren Greater Lansing, says knee replacement surgeries have been quite successful for patients with extensive knee arthritis, and they help those patients get back to doing the things they love to do.
“The majority of your recovery after a knee replacement surgery is in the first three to four months, but you’ll continue to see small improvements over the first year to year-and-a-half following surgery,” said Dr. Ruhland.
Those who are suffering from arthritic knee pain can contact Dr. Ruhland’s office to schedule a consultation, at (517) 267-0200.
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