Knee Arthritis

What is knee arthritis?

Knee arthritis is an inflammation of the knee joint. It occurs when the smooth cartilage that lines the ends of bones wears away, exposing the bone underneath. Pain, swelling, and stiffness are the main symptoms of arthritis. Any joint in the body may be affected by arthritis, but it is particularly common in the knee.

Rarity: Common

Symptoms

• Pain in both knees. Pain can be on the inside, outside, front, or back of the knee, depending on part of the joint involved.
• Knee stiffness, especially in the morning
• Knee instability
• Swollen knee

Treatment

See your doctor to rule out any other issues, and to get some recommendations about treatment. The goal of treating knee arthritis is to reduce the swelling and pain, which helps keep your joint active and mobile.

Most arthritis pain responds to the well-known combination of therapies called “RICE,” for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

While you don’t necessarily need to see a doctor or seek emergency treatment for arthritis, flare-ups can be very painful. Excessive swelling in the joint can also cause stiffness and limit your movement. Contact your doctor if your pain is intolerable, fails to respond to RICE, or it is severely limiting your ability to function.