Knee Osteoarthritis
Every step we take depends on the steady support of our knees, yet most of us rarely think about how much work these joints do until something goes wrong.
Over the years, through everyday movement, walking, climbing stairs, and exercising, the knees endure significant wear and tear, which can lead to knee osteoarthritis.
In the United States, nearly half of all adults will develop this condition during their lifetime, with women over 50 at the highest risk. Left untreated, knee osteoarthritis can gradually alter the shape of the joint, weaken stability, and significantly increase the risk of falls by more than 50%, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
This page explores what knee osteoarthritis is, why it develops, and how to recognize its symptoms so you can take steps to protect your mobility and stay active. Continue reading to learn more.
What is knee osteoarthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis is a progressive disease affecting the knee joint. It is among the most common forms of arthritis.
There are two forms of knee osteoarthritis: primary and secondary.
Primary knee osteoarthritis is the most common form of osteoarthritis affecting the knee. It is often referred to as "wear and tear" arthritis, as the natural aging process and cumulative stress on the knee joint over time primarily cause it. However, the exact cause of primary knee osteoarthritis is still not fully understood.
Secondary knee osteoarthritis is caused by an underlying infection, malformation, disease, or traumatic injury.
Knee osteoarthritis causes
This joint condition develops when the cartilage that pads the ends of the bones in the knee joint wears away over time. This cartilage erosion leads to pain, stiffness, and swelling.
When left untreated, the knee cartilage will wear away significantly, leading to joint space loss.
Joint space loss occurs when the bones rub together without a cushioning mechanism, resulting in debilitating pain and loss of motion.
Various causes of cartilage erosion over time include:
- Repeated stress on the knees
- Inflammatory joint disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout
- Genetic predisposition
- Advancing age
- Obesity
While there is no cure for knee osteoarthritis, the condition can be managed effectively through non-surgical interventions.
What are the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis symptoms are degenerative, meaning they become increasingly intense and disruptive. Signs include the following:
- Knee pain
- Knee stiffness
- Knee instability
- Knee swelling
- Cracking or grating sensation when flexing the knee joints
How knee osteoarthritis affects overall health
Continual knee pain and stiffness can make mobility difficult, sometimes to such an extent that patients can no longer perform routine work tasks or daily activities.
Patients with unaddressed knee osteoarthritis are more likely to become sedentary, which raises the risk of developing heart disease, type II diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Moreover, many patients experience adverse psychological effects of limited mobility, including social disengagement, isolation, and depression.
What are the risk factors for knee osteoarthritis?
Here are several issues that might raise the risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knees:
- Being over the age of 50
- High body mass index (BMI), especiallyBMI of 30 or higher.
- Previous injury or injuries to the knee joints
- Continual repeated stress on the knees from work or athletic activities
- Genetic factors
- Skeletal anomalies
- Metabolic syndrome (high LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure)
Knee osteoarthritis treatments
Managing knee osteoarthritis begins with the least invasive options and progresses only as needed.
Your treatment plan is tailored to your specific symptoms, lifestyle, and overall health, to relieve pain, improve mobility, and protect the joint from further damage.
Conservative Care
Many people start with non-surgical therapies such as:
- Activity modification and low-impact exercise
- Physical therapy to strengthen supporting muscles
- Weight management to reduce pressure on the knee joint
- Over-the-counter or prescribed anti-inflammatory medications
- Bracing or supportive devices for added stability
These approaches can slow progression and reduce discomfort, but they may not provide lasting relief for everyone.
Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)
For patients who continue to experience significant pain despite conservative care, Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) offers an advanced, minimally invasive option.
- How it works: Using real-time imaging, an interventional radiologist threads a tiny catheter into the small arteries that supply blood to the inflamed areas of the knee and gently blocks abnormal blood flow that fuels inflammation.
- Benefits: GAE is performed through a tiny puncture with no large incisions or hospital stay required. Most patients return to regular activity within days. Many experience a significant and lasting reduction in pain, improved mobility, and a lower reliance on pain medication.
- Ideal candidates: Individuals with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis who have not achieved sufficient relief from medications, injections, or physical therapy.
How do I know if I have knee osteoarthritis?
If you have knee instability, pain, stiffness, or reduced motion, you don’t have to struggle with debilitating symptoms. The team at Texas Endovascular can help.
Please don’t hesitate to schedule an evaluation with the board-certified interventional radiologists to determine whether your knee symptoms are caused by osteoarthritis.
In addition to conducting a thorough physical examination, we will capture X-ray images of your knees, enabling us to visualize the internal structure of your knee joints and assess the extent of cartilage loss and other abnormalities.
If necessary, we might recommend magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help us design the optimum course of treatment.
Find Relief from Knee Osteoarthritis at Texas Endovascular
Living with knee osteoarthritis can be painful and limiting, but you don’t have to face it alone.
Texas Endovascular offers advanced, minimally invasive treatments designed to ease pain, reduce stiffness, and restore mobility, helping you stay active and independent for the long term. If knee pain, swelling, or stiffness is affecting your daily life, find a Texas Endovascular location near you and today to schedule a consultation and explore your treatment options.
