Arthritis is a common cause of knee pain, especially in older adults....CONTINUE READING
If you’re plagued by persistent aches, stiffness or swelling in one or both knees, you could have arthritis. This common condition is often the result of age-related wear and tear or injuries, but arthritis in the knees (or elsewhere) can affect younger adults in some cases.
Here’s how to tell if your knee symptoms could be arthritis, plus what you can do to get your discomfort under control.
Arthritis is a general condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints, including in the knees. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, but the two most likely to affect your knees are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, says Amro Balki, MD, a board-certified rheumatologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause knee pain, swelling and stiffness that make it harder to comfortably move your knee and perform everyday activities like walking, running or climbing the stairs.
But there’s an important difference. “Osteoarthritis presents with pain with activities and relief with rest, whereas rheumatoid arthritis presents with morning stiffness or pain, and pain with rest and relief with activities,” Dr. Balki says.
Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause symptoms elsewhere in the body. The pain, aching or swelling typically affects several joints (on both sides of the body) and can cause fatigue, weakness, fever or weight loss, per the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Knee osteoarthritis pain, on the other hand, usually only occurs in the knees, and just one knee can be affected.
Diagnosing knee arthritis starts with a knee X-ray or other imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan. They can help your doctor see your knee bones, cartilage and any surrounding inflammation, the Cleveland Clinic notes.
Your doctor might also order blood tests to check your white blood cell count, red blood cell count and other measures that can help determine whether your knee arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis.
Walking regularly can help manage knee arthritis symptoms.
Medication often plays a key role in arthritis treatment, especially for rheumatoid arthritis. But there are other strategies that can also be helpful.
Over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen or topical pain-relief creams can reduce inflammation and ease osteoarthritis discomfort in the short-term, while corticosteroids (prescription anti-inflammatory meds) can be more effective at managing long-term inflammation and swelling, notes Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, usually requires more powerful prescription medications. “Delaying treatment will likely lead to irreversible joint damage,” Dr. Balki says.
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor might recommend a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) like methotrexate, a biologic or a janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
Other strategies can work in tandem with your medications to make your knee pain more manageable. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, natural remedies for arthritis pain relief include:
Regular physical activity can reduce joint stiffness and strengthen the surrounding muscles, which can help you manage your knee pain, Dr. Balki says.
The key is sticking with low-impact activities that don’t put too much pressure on your joints. Think: stretching, strength-training, walking, bicycling, swimming or water aerobics, the Mayo Clinic says.
While it’s good to aim for some form of movement every day, be mindful about not pushing yourself too hard. If exercise leaves you stiff, uncomfortable or exhausted, ease up on your activity. On days when your knees are really bothering you or you could just use a break, it’s OK to rest.
Healthy habits can be powerful. Here are some more ways you can keep your arthritis pain in check and keep the problem from getting worse.
Depending on your arthritis type and symptoms, surgical options like arthroscopy, fusion or joint replacement may be helpful when medication and lifestyle changes haven’t done enough, Johns Hopkins Medicine notes.
Your doctor can help you weigh the risks and benefits to decide if surgery is right for you.
While there’s no surefire way to prevent arthritis, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:
It’s a good idea to let your doctor know if you’re experiencing knee pain, swelling or stiffness that isn’t getting better with rest or other at-home measures.
Based on your symptoms, your doctor can refer you to a specialist like an orthopedist or a rheumatologist to diagnose your arthritis and start treatment…CONTINUE READING>>
