There are several knee conditions that can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joint. Injuries, such as a ligament tear or patellar tendonitis, can cause the same symptoms as arthritis. Here’s how to tell if your knee pain is from arthritis, and what you can do to treat your painful symptoms. 

How to Know if Your Knee Pain Is Arthritis 

Two types of arthritis can impact the knee joint. These include:

1. Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is an inflammatory disease that causes the body to attack the tissue in its joints. Rheumatoid arthritis usually begins as pain and swelling in the knee and ultimately results in joint deformity and bone loss. 

2. Osteoarthritis: This type of arthritis is common in our older, active mountain population. A lifetime of active living can wear down the cartilage in the knee joint, causing the bones in the joint to rub against each other. Osteoarthritis can also be the result of past orthopaedic trauma to the knee, such as a bone fracture. 

While knee injuries can cause pain, swelling, and reduced age of motion, arthritis is a chronic condition that develops over time and gradually worsens. Symptoms of knee arthritis are:

• Pain while active that progresses to pain while at rest

• Pain and stiffness in the morning

• Inflammation and warmth in the knee joint

• Reduced mobility as the knee’s range of motion continues to decrease

• A grinding, creaking sensation in the knee

People who are experiencing prolonged and worsening symptoms of knee arthritis should contact an orthopaedic physician who specializes in adult joint reconstruction for a formal diagnosis. 

Treatment Options for Arthritic Knees

There is no cure for arthritis. All forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, are considered chronic, degenerative conditions. However, there are treatment strategies for slowing the disease’s progression and relieving its painful symptoms.

At his practice at The Steadman Clinic, Dr. Cafferky and his team typically recommend the following nonsurgical treatment methods for arthritic knees:

• Anti-inflammatory medication to relieve pain and swelling

• Weight loss to reduce pressure on this joint (a loss of five pounds will relieve twenty pounds of pressure from the knee)

• Activity modification, focusing on low-impact activities 

• Physical therapy to improve your knee’s strength and mobility while reducing pain

• Steroid injections to treat pain and swelling 

Once these conservative methods fail to reduce arthritis’ painful symptoms, Dr. Cafferky may recommend a knee replacement. Depending on the severity and location of the damage to the joint, Dr. Cafferky will recommend one of two procedures:

1. Partial Knee: One compartment of the knee is replaced or resurfaced with an implant.

2. Total Knee: The entire knee joint is replaced with an implant. 

Both these procedures can be performed with a robotic surgical assistant (ROSA), which increases the accuracy and improves the fit of your knee implant. Read more about ROSA knee here. 

A knee replacement is one of the most successful surgical procedures performed, with several patients reporting relief from their arthritic knee pain within the first few weeks after their procedure.

Knee Pain Treatment in the High Rockies

If you’re ready to get back to the activities you love, contact Team Cafferky today! Dr. Cafferky and his team at The Steadman Clinic will work with you to diagnose the cause of your knee pain and recommend a treatment plan that’s right for your lifestyle.

Contact (970) 476-1100 to make an appointment at his Frisco, Vail, or Edwards, Colorado clinic locations or request a consultation using our online form.