Osteoarthritis

Chattanooga Center for Joint Replacement and Orthopedics

The most common form of arthritis in the world, Osteoarthritis (OA) occurs in the knee and is related to wear and tear of cartilage. OA results from having low levels of a lubricating substance called hyaluronan in the synovial fluid that cushions your knee. Without enough hyaluronan, your knee bones begin to rub against each other, causing erosion, bone spurs, and pain.

Osteoarthritis

The most common form of arthritis in the world, Osteoarthritis (OA) occurs in the knee and is related to wear and tear of cartilage. OA results from having low levels of a lubricating substance called hyaluronan in the synovial fluid that cushions your knee. Without enough hyaluronan, the bones of your knee begin to rub against each other, causing erosion, bone spurs, and pain. OA can also be caused by a wearing down of the protective cartilage in the knee joint. The cartilage in the knee can wear down so much that it is almost nonexistent. When the cartilage and protective lubricant are not able to act as protective barriers between the bones in the knee joint, mild or severe pain can result. In severe cases, the ends of each bone grind against each other when the knee is bent.

Common Symptoms and Signs of Osteoarthritis

  • Pain or stiffness in the joint
  • Frequent stiffness in the knee(s) when resting after physical activity
  • Difficulty walking after you wake up
  • Pain when you bend your knee or walk
  • Decreased range of motion
  • Your knee aches even you aren’t doing anything
  • Crackling sound or grating sensation when you bend your knee
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Known risk factors related to OA

OA is caused by a variety of reasons. Women tend to have more OA problems than men, and it is also common for older people to develop OA. Other risk factors include:

  • Genetics
  • Being overweight
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Defective cartilage or bone
  • Joint injury
  • Overuse of the joint
  • Having prior other forms of arthritis
  • Underactive thyroid
  • Having Gout or Paget’s disease of bone

When should you come to CCJRO for treatment?

  • If you are coping with consistent pain.
  • If you experience pain for more than two weeks.
  • If you hear popping or crackling in your knee.

As OA progresses, it worsens with time, and unfortunately, there is no cure. Treatment can slow the progression of OA to help decrease friction in the joint, as well as relieve pain. If you are enduring consistent pain, schedule an appointment with us right away. Make the decision today to get relief from joint pain.

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