We use our knees for everyday motions of the body and even for stationary postures like standing and sitting. It’s easy to see how our knees and other joints can wear away over a period of time. Knee joints in our body are one of the most commonly affected joints by osteoarthritis.
The level of knee arthritis depends on how much we use our knee joints, and which knee we use or stress most often. Some patients get osteoarthritis in just one knee, which is known as unilateral osteoarthritis. Bilateral knee arthritis occurs when both knees are affected by osteoarthritis.
According to Dr. Kaushik Patel, one of most the experienced Best Knee Replacement Surgeon in Surat, osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that can reduce our mobility of extremities and make daily tasks tough to manage. Early diagnosis and management may reduce joint damage to some extent and improve our overall quality of life.
Causes
Like other forms of degenerative arthritis, bilateral knee osteoarthritis is more prone to develop over time as our knee joints are subjected to wear and tear. The knees are the largest joints in the human body. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in our joints gradually erodes. All of these can wear away the shielding cartilage at the points where the kneecap, shinbone, and thighbone connect. Without the cartilage, the bones rub together, which results in pain and inflammation.
Risk factors
Factors that can intensify the risk of osteoarthritis are:
Older age:- older people are more prone to OA.
Sex:- Females are at more risk to develop osteoarthritis.
Obesity:- Extra body weight contributes to osteoarthritis by putting stress on your joints, and the more the weight, the greater the risk.
Trauma to joint:- Injuries while playing sports or from a road traffic accident, can increase the chances of osteoarthritis. Even damage that happened many years back and has healed can increase the risk of OA.
Continuous stress on the joint:- If a person is having a job or business that places repetitive stress on a joint, that joint might ultimately develop OA.
Genetics:- Some populations inherit a trend to develop OA.
Bone deformities:- Some people are born with deformed joints or inadequate cartilage.
Symptoms of bilateral knee OA
Symptoms of bilateral knee osteoarthritis are identical to those of other types of knee arthritis. These are
- An outbreak of knee pain
- Bulging in the surrounding area
- Noticeably terrible pain in the morning when you wake up
- Not able to untangle your knee
- Crushing or abnormal sounds in the knee as you move
- General weakness in the knee
While you might encounter these signs in just one knee with unilateral osteoarthritis, bilateral knee osteoarthritis symptoms are evident in both knees. You may also notice a higher grade of pain associated with bilateral knee osteoarthritis.
Tips for reducing knee pain
Medical therapies are just one remedy for treating bilateral knee osteoarthritis. One can also take steps to control knee pain to improve mobility and stay comfortable. The following are recommendations for managing knee pain:
- Exercise:- Daily activity helps improve our mood and overall health. It also strengthens the muscles surrounding our knees which in turn prevents further joint destruction. Activities like walking, swimming, and elliptical training help decrease pressure on the knees.
- Reduce usage of stairs when possible.
- Use braces for extra support.
- Apply ice during pain bursts.
- Avoid overload work which causes stress on joints.
One might need to undergo surgery if these remedies do not improve symptoms. Dr. Kaushik Patel is one of the best joint replacement surgeon in Surat city. He also has an expertise in performing robotic knee replacement surgery.
FAQ:
What is the best treatment for osteoarthritis in the knees?
Doctors can't cure knee arthritis but they have remedies that might reduce the severity of pain and can try to stop arthritis from getting worse, including:
- Keeping a watch on weight.
- Exercise like swimming and cycling.
- Apply heat or ice around the joints.
- Physiotherapy exercises.
- Medications like NSAIDs and steroids help to reduce pain.
One may need to have surgery, including arthroplasty, arthroscopy, and osteotomy depending upon the severity of OA.
Is knee osteoarthritis serious?
Osteoarthritis is not a life-threatening disease, but with aging, it worsens causing severe pain in the knee and other joints too.
Is bilateral osteoarthritis a disability?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers osteoarthritis as a disability as it can cause severe pain and mobility problems.
What food should be avoided in knee osteoarthritis?
For knee osteoarthritis, one should avoid processed and refined food which may have added sugar and salt, fatty food, tobacco and alcohol, sweets etc.
What activity should be avoided in knee osteoarthritis?
High-impact exercises like running on uneven surfaces, jumping and playing tennis and basketball should be avoided.