What is Knee Arthritis?
The knee is the largest and strongest joint in your body. It is made up of the lower end of the thighbone (femur), the upper end of the shinbone (tibia), and the kneecap (patella). In a healthy knee, the ends of these bones are covered with cartilage, a smooth substance that cushions the bones and allows them to move easily. Knee arthritis occurs when this cartilage wears away, causing the bones to rub against each other.
Symptoms
Symptoms of knee arthritis often develop slowly and worsen over time. Common signs include:
- Pain: Pain that increases with activity, but gets better with rest.
- Stiffness: Particularly in the morning or after sitting for a while.
- Swelling: Fluid buildup in the joint.
- Grating Sensation: You may hear a "crackling" or "popping" sound (crepitus) when you move your knee.
- Weakness: The knee may feel like it's going to "give out."
Our Treatment Approach
While there is no cure for arthritis, there are many treatment options to manage pain and keep you active.
Non-Surgical Treatments
We always begin with conservative care. This may include physical therapy to strengthen the muscles supporting the knee, weight loss to reduce stress on the joint, bracing, and injections (corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid) to reduce inflammation and lubricate the joint.
Surgical Treatments
If conservative treatments no longer provide relief, surgery may be the best option to restore your quality of life.
- Partial Knee Replacement: Only the damaged part of the knee cartilage is replaced with a prosthesis.
- Total Knee Replacement: The entire damaged surface of the knee joint is removed and replaced with metal and plastic components. Dr. Behrens utilizes advanced techniques to ensure precision and faster recovery.