What Causes Loss of Knee Function and Knee Pain?

Chronic knee pain and disability are often caused by arthritis. There are three very common types of arthritis that cause knee problems. They are: rheumatoid arthritis, traumatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis.

When you injure your knee, it can cause traumatic arthritis. This is a condition that develops over time as damaged ligaments and or bones cause further damage to the knee structure and break down the articular cartilage.

If the synovial membrane of the knee produces too much synovial fluid, it will over-fill the joint space. The fluid will thicken and become inflamed, and it will damage the knees cartilage. This will cause stiffness and pain and a breakdown of the cartilage. This is rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is commonly experienced by people who are over the age of fifty. A family history of osteoarthritis adds to the chance that a person will have it. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cushion of cartilage between the bones of the knee wears down and softens causing the ends of the bone to grind. This is a very painful condition that causes the knee to stiffen.

Knee Replacement May Be the Answer

Meet with your family, your doctor and your orthopedic surgeon to discuss the pros and cons of total knee replacement. Your doctor is likely to refer you to an orthopedic surgeon who will give you all the details of the operation and explain the alternatives. You will learn about alternative surgeries, such as unicompartmental knee replacement and minimally invasive knee replacement. With this information, you will be able to make an informed decision.

Click here for more on diagnosing knee pain .

If the following conditions apply to you, total knee replacement surgery may be your best option.

You have tried everything and nothing else works. If you have done exercises, physical therapy, cortisone injections, and even lesser types of surgery without relief, it is time to try total knee replacement.

You cannot perform normal activities of daily living (walking, stair climbing, sitting down or rising from a chair) and/or you must use a cane or walker to get around.

Symptoms That Indicate a Need For Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Stiff knee joints that will not straighten or bend.

Knees that hurt, even while resting.

You are knock-kneed or bow-legged and it is causing pain and problems.

Your aspirin or ibuprofen dont work any more. Understand that these medications are good for early symptoms, but as your pain worsens, they cant keep up.

Persistent inflammation and swelling that does not subside with medication and rest.

It is important to understand that medications can generally lose effectiveness over time. Additionally, if you take a medication for a long time, you may develop a resistance to it or have a reaction to it. Furthermore, as your arthritis gets worse, your medications just may not be strong enough to manage the pain.

Dr. Tarlow is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon with over 20 years specializing in knee surgery. He opened his own clinic, Advanced Knee Care, with a focus on specialty patient care. Click here to learn more about Dr. Tarlow, orthopedic surgeon and total knee.

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