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What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and it occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions your joints begins to wear down. It can affect any joint, but it most often occurs in the knees, hands, hips and spine. As the cartilage breaks down, the joint bones begin to rub against each other, causing a number of uncomfortable, inconvenient symptoms.
Although osteoarthritis is irreversible, you may have options to treat symptoms, including minimally invasive genicular artery embolization (GAE).
What are the Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis?
Everyone’s experience with knee or joint osteoarthritis is different, but the condition often presents a few common symptoms. If you’re experiencing any of the following, seek care to discuss your treatment options.
Knee Pain & Knee Swelling
Pain is persistent or worsens with time. It can be aggravated by both long periods of activity and sustained periods of rest.
You might notice swelling on or around the knee, especially after physical activity.
Stiffness & Limited Mobility
Leg movement may become difficult, particularly upon waking in the morning or after long periods of inactivity.
Alongside stiffness, osteoarthritis might make it difficult to bend or straighten the knee, causing you to have trouble walking.
Crepitus (Grating) & Weakness
When moving or bearing weight on the knee, you might notice a popping, grinding or crackling sensation.
Weakness in the muscles surrounding your knees may cause instability or trouble walking.
Bone Spurs
Extra bits of bone, which can feel like small, hard lumps, can form around the joint.
If you’re experiencing severe or ongoing symptoms that indicate Knee Osteoarthritis, our providers are ready to help you explore your next steps.
Exploring
Knee Osteoarthritis Treatments
There are a variety of ways to manage osteoarthritis symptoms, ease discomfort and recover mobility without resorting to joint replacement surgery. These include:
- Genicular artery embolization (GAE)
- Medication
- Arthritis shots
- Physical therapy
At Emage Joint Centers, we recognize that every patient’s goals for their arthritis treatment are different. Our goal is to help you choose the treatment path that works for you and helps you achieve meaningful relief.
Who is at Risk of
Knee Osteoarthritis?
Anyone can develop knee osteoarthritis, although various factors may increase your risk of the condition:
- Age: Wear and tear on the joints increases over time, leading to arthritis in many older individuals.
- Gender: Women, particularly after menopause, are at a higher risk.
- Obesity: Excess body weight puts additional strain on the knee joints.
- Previous injuries: Joint injuries, such as from playing sports, fractures or ligament tears, can contribute to osteoarthritis.
- Genetics: A family history of osteoarthritis may increase your likelihood of developing it.
- Bone deformities and certain metabolic disorders, like diabetes, may also increase your osteoarthritis risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis-related knee pain?
You may be able to manage knee pain through a variety of lifestyle approaches. These include:
- Wearing knee braces and supportive footwear
- Doing arthritis-friendly exercises
- Eating a healthy diet
- Using hot and cold therapy
- Managing your weight
- Resting between physical activities
Various non-surgical, minimally invasive treatments may also help you achieve better mobility and pain relief, including:
- Medications
- Knee injections
- Physical therapy
- Minimally invasive GAE treatment
The best way to determine which approach is right for you is to work with a healthcare team that can evaluate your specific case.
What are the early signs and symptoms of knee osteoarthritis?
Everyone’s experience with knee osteoarthritis is different. Symptoms often begin slowly and worsen over time. Problems like joint stiffness, knee pain, a grinding or popping sensation in your knee, or swelling may be signs that the condition is developing. If you notice any of these issues, seek professional care.
How do you know if knee symptoms are caused by osteoarthritis?
Many of the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis may also appear in other, unrelated conditions. It’s important to receive a proper diagnosis before pursuing treatment.
As part of your treatment journey with Emage, we’ll prioritize achieving a full, thorough understanding of your unique condition. Alongside a thorough exam and medical history review, we will often use X-Rays or other diagnostic tools to take a closer look at what may be causing your knee pain. We’ll then use this information to help you choose your preferred option.
Talk To a
GAE Care Coordinator
You deserve to know your options for chronic knee pain. Reach out to Emage Joint Centers today to schedule a consultation and learn more about minimally invasive GAE treatment.