The knee is a joint that undergoes consistent stress as we move through our daily activities. A lifetime of walking, running, kneeling, lifting, and general movement can wear down the layer of cartilage that cushions the knee. 

When that layer of cartilage breaks down completely, you end up with the knee’s bones (tibia and femur) rubbing on each other. This is osteoarthritis. 

Knee Osteoarthritis: Symptoms and Treatments

The main and most debilitating symptom of osteoarthritis is knee pain. Symptoms of osteoarthritis that typically accompany that knee pain are:

• Swelling: Soft tissue around the knee joint can inflame, causing noticeable swelling.

• Stiffness: Knee stiffness caused by osteoarthritis is more noticeable in the morning.

• Popping or Crackling Sensation: The grinding of bone-on-bone causes this as the cartilage wears away.

• Impacted Range of Motion: You may be unable to straighten the knee fully.

There is no cure for osteoarthritis. Before recommending surgery, your doctor will recommend less invasive treatment for symptom management. These could include:

• Minor Weight Loss: Losing five pounds is the equivalent of your knees feeling like you lost twenty pounds. 

• Pain Relievers: Anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen) can help relieve the pain and swelling of osteoarthritis.

• Physical Therapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises can help improve your mobility.

• Natural Remedies: Heat, ice, supplements, and acupuncture are just a few natural options for treating pain, inflammation, and stiffness.

• Lifestyle Changes: Instead of high-impact exercises, your doctor may recommend switching to low-impact activities like yoga and water aerobics.

• Injections: Medications and steroids (such as hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids) are injected into the knee to relieve osteoarthritis symptoms. 

A knee replacement is considered major surgery and will only be recommended if more conservative methods no longer effectively treat your osteoarthritis symptoms.

When Is Surgery Needed for Osteoarthritis?

There are five signs that your osteoarthritis has progressed to the point where knee surgery is needed. 

1. Less invasive treatments do nothing to relieve your pain and inflammation.

2. Your mobility is impacted to the level where you need an assistive device to move around.

3. The pain from your osteoarthritis is so severe it’s affecting your quality of life.

4. You notice an obvious deformity in the knee (if it starts bowing in or out).

5. You are between the ages of 50 and 80 years old.

Before moving forward with any surgery, Dr. Cafferky and his team will use imaging tests (x-rays and MRI scans) to examine the inside of your knee. Understanding the impacts of your osteoarthritis on the bones, cartilage, and tissue will help Team Cafferky find a surgical option that’s right for you.

Knee Surgery in Eagle and Summit County

Dr. Cafferky is a renowned knee surgeon operating out of Eagle and Summit County. Together, he and his team help patients suffering from knee and hip osteoarthritis reclaim their lives and regain their function.

Contact Dr. Cafferky about your knee pain and osteoarthritis today. He and his team will work with you, recommending a treatment plan or surgical option that will help you rediscover all that is possible.