Knee arthritis occurs when cartilage which normally serves as a cushion between the bones of the knee wears away. Without this cushion, the bones of the knee contact each other and gradually become damaged, causing pain and stiffness.
Arthritis of the knee can cause severe pain in the joint, even when at rest, as well as stiffness and swelling.
It typically results in a decreased range of motion and movement may be accompanied by a grinding or clicking sensation in the knee. The joint itself may become unstable.
A variety of factors contribute to the breakdown of cartilage within the knee joint. These include:
Age: cartilage degrades over time as, with age, the cells responsible for maintaining cartilage, become less effective at repairing it. Reduced elasticity in the cartilage resulting from age-related change in the collagen and water content of the joint can contribute to damage.
Wear and tear: repetative motion and heavy loading through the knee, such as that associated with sport or manual labour, contributes to cartilage damage.
Obesity and overweight: chronic low-level inflammation which can be associated with obesity and overweight can accelerate the breakdown of cartilage, as can the additional loads placed on the knee by high bodyweight.
Genetics: certain inheritable conditions, as well as a family history of arthritis, can increase the likelihood of the condition occuring. Immune system dysfunction, often in combination with environmental factors, is responsible for the develop of Rheumatoid arthritis.
Trauma: historic injuries, such as fractures and ligamentous tears, increase the risk of developing Post-traumatic arthritis.
Non-surgical treatments typically target pain reduction, mobility gains and a reduced rate of disease progression. These include:
If non-surgical treatment should prove ineffective in addressing symptoms, surgical treatment options include:
Arthroscopy: a minimally-invasive procedure during which the surgeon gains direct access to the joint to clean it of detritus or complete repairs.
Osteotomy: a procedure involving the cutting and shaping of the tibia or femur to remove stress on the damaged part of the joint.
Partial knee arthroplasty: involves replacement of the damaged part/s of the knee with prosthetic components.
Total knee arthroplasty: involves replacement of the entire knee joint with a prosthetic.
Cartilage restoration: involves the repair or replacement of damaged cartilage. This can be acheived using microfracturing, cartilage transplantation and grafting, or the implantation of cartilage cells.
To learn more about knee arthroscopy, and what to expect from the procedure, visit our Knee arthroscopy page.
For further information, or to arrange a consultation, please contact +61 2 88829011 or book an appointment online.
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Professor Dr Munjed Al Muderis is an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in osseointegration, hip, knee and trauma surgery. He is a clinical professor at Macquarie University and The Australian School Of Advanced Medicine, a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and Chairman of the Osseointegration Group.