Knee Arthritis Frequently Asked Questions

The knee is composed of the medial and lateral compartments. It acts as a hinge point during knee rotation and flexion/extension. The function of the knee is to provide stability and flexibility to the lower leg while walking, running, stair climbing, and rising from a seated position. Click here for more information.
Knee arthritis affects all cartilage in the knee. It leads to both biomechanical and biochemical change that imparts the function of the cartilage. Click here for more information.

There are four grades of severity of knee arthritis that can led to stiffness, poor function, physical
deformity, and increasing pain:
Grade 1: Early changes show fissuring (breaks) in the cartilage.
Grade 2: More extensive full thickness breaks in the cartilage.
Grade 3: Intermittent loss of cartilage with breaks.
Grade 4: Exposed subchondral (below the cartilage) bone.
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Knee pain and swelling occur after physical activity. As the condition progresses the pain continues and gradually increases even during rest. Arthritis can cause crepitus which is s grinding noise in the knee during motion. Other symptoms include inability to walk for long distances, difficulty rising from a seated position, climbing stairs, and eventually difficulty with routine activities. Click here for more information.

Often a patient will present with knee pain, restricted motion and activity, and pain at rest. Your doctor will complete a physical examination looking at things like gait, limp, knocked-kneed or bowlegged condition, swelling, bone spurs, crepitus, or tenderness. Imaging is often used, including X-rays. A MRI scan is not necessary to diagnosis knee arthritis.

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Non-operative or conservative treatment can include: activity modification, exercise and conditioning, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, a change in footwear, injections and
neoprene sleeves or dynamic braces.
Operative treatment can include: arthroscopy and debridement, osteotomy, or knee replacement surgery.
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In knee replacement surgery all diseased cartilage is removed, and a metal and plastic prosthesis or replacement is inserted. Click here for more information.
The hospital stay is 3-5 days. Walking usually begins the first day after surgery. A walker or crutches are used for 6-8 weeks, and full recovery takes 4-6 months. Pain relief is usually noticed within 3 weeks during walking.
The incision must be kept clean and dry for the first two weeks. Two to three weeks after surgery sutures or staples are removed. Generally patients use a walking aid for six to eight weeks after surgery. Anti-inflammatory medication is used and physical therapy is started 1 or 2 days after surgery. Knee arthritis symptoms may disappear in two or three weeks while some patient take up to six months to fully recover. Click here for more information.
Older age is not a strict criterion for knee replacement. Incapacitating pain, limited function, and poor quality of life due to degeneration of the joint from arthritis are the indications for knee replacement.

Modern knee replacements have a 90-95% survival rate at 15 years.

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