Knee Arthritis Specialist
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South Bay Orthopedic and Sports Medicine
Orthopedic Surgeons & Internists located in San Jose, CA
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that by 2040, around 78 million Americans over the age of 18 will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. At South Bay Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Dr. Samir Sharma and Dr. Kavita Sharma offer personalized treatments for knee arthritis, include lifestyle changes, platelet-rich plasma therapy, and surgery when necessary. For attentive health care and medical management of your knee arthritis, call for an appointment or book one online today.
Knee Arthritis Q & A
What is arthritis of the knee?
Arthritis is an umbrella term for more than 100 different conditions that cause inflammation in one or more joints in your body, often resulting in stiffness, pain, swelling, fatigue, and restricted mobility.
Arthritis of the knee is particularly common and it can create difficulty in performing many everyday activities, such as walking or climbing stairs.
What types of arthritis can affect the knee?
Many different types of arthritis can affect the knee, but the main types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that develops over time and results in a progressive weakening of the bones. The cartilage in the knee joint gradually degenerates over time and the necessary and protective space between the bones can decrease until, in some cases, the bones rub together and cause friction, inflammation, pain, and bone spurs.
Osteoarthritis is more common in people over 50; however, younger people can also be affected.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, meaning your immune system attacks and damages your own body tissue and softens bones. RA typically affects multiple joints simultaneously, as the synovial membrane covering your joint swells and causes pain, stiffness, and inhibited movement.
Post-traumatic arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis develops following a knee injury. In many instances, it occurs years after the injury. Post-traumatic arthritis can result from a broken bone or a tendon or ligament tear.
How is arthritis of the knee treated?
To make an accurate arthritis diagnosis, your South Bay physician reviews your medical history, performs a physical exam, and orders lab work to detect inflammation, and imaging tests, such as an X-ray or MRI, to evaluate the damage to your knee.
Once a diagnosis is made, your doctor suggests the appropriate treatments to manage your arthritis and decrease, prevent, or repair any damage.
Your individualized treatment plan might include:
- Heat and ice packs
- Lifestyle modifications
- Weight loss, if necessary
- Physical exercise programs
- Medications, such as anti-inflammatories or DMARDS
- Assistive devices, such as canes, walkers, or special shoes
- Knee surgery, such as a knee arthroscopy or a partial or total knee replacement
Get your arthritis under control with the compassionate South Bay Orthopedic doctors. Call or book an appointment online today.