Symptom of Knee Anthritis and Exercise Therapy

There are three different types of arthritis that can occur in your knees. The most common type is osteoarthritis (OA), a progressive condition that slowly wears away joint cartilage. OA is most likely to occur after middle age.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory condition that can strike at any age.

Post-traumatic arthritis develops following an injury to the knee. It can occur years after a torn meniscus, ligament injury, or knee fracture. 

Symptom of knee anthritis in different phases

1. Gradual increase in pain

Arthritis pain can begin suddenly, but it’s more likely to develop slowly. At first, you may notice pain in the morning or after you’ve been inactive for a while. Your knees may hurt when you climb stairs, stand up from a sitting position, or kneel. It may hurt just to go for a walk. You may also feel pain when you’re simply sitting down. Some people with arthritis say that damp weather or other changes in weather can bring on pain. Knee pain that wakes you up from sleep can be a symptom of OA.

2. Swelling or tenderness

Arthritis of the knee may cause periodic inflammation. This can be due to the formation of bone spurs (osteophytes) or extra fluids in the knee. Swelling may be more pronounced after a long period of inactivity, like when you first wake up in the morning. The skin on your knee may look red or feel warm to the touch. In time, you may experience chronic knee inflammation that doesn’t get better with over-the-counter (OTC) medications or anti-inflammatory drugs.

3. Poor range of motion

Arthritis can make it increasingly challenging for your knee joints to glide as they should, making previously simple movements difficult or impossible. You’re most likely to notice a restricted range of motion when you climb stairs or participate in athletic activities. OA progressively wears away at cartilage. As arthritis worsens, it becomes harder for joints to function normally and it can become more and more difficult to perform everyday tasks. In time, you may have trouble walking without a cane or walker.

4. Loss of joint space

Knee X-rays are an excellent diagnostic tool because they clearly show the loss of joint space that causes sounds and poor range of motion. The space which is normally occupied by cartilage is worn away and exposed bone is present. Bone spurs develop along the edges of the joint and reflect the body’s attempt to repair itself. They’re a common symptom of OA.

5. Deformities of the knee

As arthritis progresses, you may notice changes in your knee’s appearance. Arthritis can create a sunken appearance as muscles surrounding the knees thin and weaken. Your knees can start to point toward each other or bend outward. Knee deformities range from barely noticeable to quite severe and debilitating.

Exercise Therapy 

The best knee exercises may be the ones you can do at home or even during a break at the office. They’re easy, effective, and convenient, and don’t require any special equipment. Do them slowly and gradually increase the number of repetitions as your muscles get stronger. Do not forget to wear a sports insole when exercise.

Afterward, be sure to do a few gentle stretching exercises to help prevent your muscles from tightening up. Consider exercising your knees every other day to give sore muscles a rest. One can search for information about specific exercise such as Leg raise (lying), Hamstring stretch (lying) , Half-squat, One-leg dip and Leg stretch. 

Prevention

Some risk factors are considered to be modifiable. They are the behaviors and circumstances that can be changed in order to reduce risk, delay onset or altogether prevent arthritis. Here are just a few examples arthritis and related diseases and associated modifiable risk factors: osteoarthritis – maintain a healthy weight; rheumatoid arthritis – do not smoke; gout – eat a healthful diet, low in sugar, alcohol and purines.

In some cases, preventing a prior incident can significantly reduce the risk of arthritis. Avoiding sports injuries through proper equipment, adequate training and safe play can prevent acl (anterior cruciate ligament) tears that may lead to osteoarthritis in a few years or several decades later. And you can also add an orthotic insoles or professional sports insole in your sports shoes to reduce some pressure.