Osteoarthritis or OA affects millions. It involves wear-and-tear of the knee joint. There are 4 stages of knee OA, during which the cushioning cartilage between the joints wears away. This makes the bones rub together, causing pain, swelling, loss of mobility, and even bone spur formation.Knee OA can be treated in various ways but you need to detect the signs and symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. A few common symptoms of knee OA are –
• Stiff knees, especially in the morning or after resting
• Swelling
• Difficulty bending or straightening the knee
• Activities like climbing stairs and walking become difficult
Knee osteoarthritis progresses in four stages.
Stage 1
The first stage of knee arthritis does not involve pain or discomfort since there is minimal wear on the knee joint at this time.
Early osteoarthritis treatment includes staying active and exercises that can strengthen the knee. Overweight people should try hard to lose weight since extra body weight puts more pressure on the knees and causes more damage.
Stage 2
Stage 2 OA is mild where bone spur growth may start but the bones are not yet rubbing or scraping against each other. Tenderness around the knee may be present.
During stage 2, you may find relief with over the counter medications. A healthier lifestyle and exercise to strengthen the joints and muscles are recommended. Orthopedic braces can be very helpful if you engage in physical activity.
Stage 3
During this stage, the cartilage between the bones begins to narrow. In this moderate stage of arthritis, more pain and discomfort will be experienced during your everyday activity. You will experience extreme pain while running, kneeling or bending. The knee tends to get stiff after sitting for a long period of time.
Your doctor may prescribe pain medications such as oxycodone but remember that these medications are not recommended for long term use. Steroid injections are a good option to reduce pain.
Stage 4
This is the most severe stage of knee arthritis. By now the cartilage in the joint barely remains, and the patient is in constant pain. There is great discomfort when walking or moving the knee joint at all.
During this stage, your doctor may recommend total knee replacement performed with a minimally invasive surgery or arthroplasty. Surgery is recommended only when all conservative and interventional pain management options have failed to relieve pain and symptoms.
To set up a consultation with one of the best knee doctors in Phoenix, call Phoenix Shoulder and Knee clinic at 480-219-3342. Dr. Adam Farber is a Board certified, Fellowship trained and an experienced surgeon in Phoenix AZ. He has a particular interest in knee arthritis treatments in Phoenix.