25/06/2022
Knee Arthritis *
Here's a great video from that
shows what osteoarthritis looks like on the retropatellar
surface (backside of the kneecap). This particular type of
arthritis is usually referred to as chondromalacia patella.
•Osteoarthritis (OA) is degenerative condition of the
cartilage present in our joints and most commonly affects
the knee and hip. Symptoms usually include pain, swelling,
joint stiffness, limited range of motion and difficulty with
many functional tasks. Severe pain or functional loss
associated with OA of the knee or hip often leads to joint
replacement surgery.
Many individuals with OA are told that exercise will harm
their joint (s) and encouraged to avoid many activities.
While it is important to respect one's symptoms and
progress gradually, it should be known that properly dosed
exercise can actually improve the health of cartilage.
Furthermore, strengthening the muscles that surround a
given joint can actually help to reduce stress on cartilage
and other sensitive structures.
≥ Reference: Bricca A, et al. Impact of exercise on
articular cartilage in people at risk of, or with established,
knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of randomised
controlled trials. Br J Sports Med.
What are the types of arthritis of the knee?
There are around 100 types of arthritis. The most common types that might affect your knees include:
Osteoarthritis is the most common of the types on this list. Osteoarthritis wears away your cartilage — the cushioning between the three bones of your knee joint. Without that protection, your bones rub against each other. This can cause pain, stiffness and limited movement. It can also lead to the development of bone spurs. Osteoarthritis gets worse as time passes.
Post-traumatic arthritis is a type of osteoarthritis. The cartilage starts thinning after trauma to your knee (like an injury from a car crash or contact sport). Your bones rub together, and that causes the same symptoms as osteoarthritis: pain, stiffness and limited movement. Your knee arthritis symptoms might not start until years after the trauma.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. A healthy immune system causes inflammation (internal or external) when it's trying to protect you from an infection, injury, toxin or another foreign invader. The inflammatory response is one way your body protects itself. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you have an unhealthy immune system that triggers inflammation in your joints even though there’s no foreign invader. The inflammation causes pain, stiffness and swelling of the synovial membrane, which can also wear away your cartilage