Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is one of the leading causes of disability at present which develops slowly and the pain it causes worsens over time.
WHAT IS OSTEOARTHRITIS?
It develops when the cartilage -- the smooth covering that protects the bones in the joint breaks down. The surface of the bones becomes damaged, causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and disability.
In people with osteoarthritis, a critical substance in synovial fluid known as hyaluronic acid breaks down. They have a lower-than-normal concentration of hyaluronic acid in their joints. Loss of hyaluronic acid appears to contribute to joint pain and stiffness. Although there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are many treatment options available to help people manage pain and stay active.
There are many different types of arthritis, so osteoarthritis should always be diagnosed by a doctor.
KNEE CAMPUS
You may suffer from OA if you have any of these symptoms:
-
Stiffness in the morning
-
Pain when you move
-
Pain even when you are not active
-
A crackling sound or a grating feeling when walking
-
Red and swollen skin around your knee
There are many contributory factors to osteoarthritis. These include:
-
Aging
-
Obesity
-
Damage to joints through injury
-
Lifestyle issues
-
Hereditary factors