What is knee arthritis?

The lower end of the femur (thigh bone), the upper end of the tibia (shin bone), and the patella (kneecap) join together to form the knee joint. The articulating points of these bones are covered in a layer of slippery white connective tissue that protects the bone while allowing for painless joint movement. Any damage to this articular cartilage, either from joint degeneration or traumatic injury, can affect its ability to function properly. If left untreated, articular cartilage damage can lead to chronic pain, inflammation, and joint stiffness thereby limiting the ability to perform daily activities. Dr. Frank McCormick, orthopedic knee specialist serving Chicago, Orland Park, and surrounding Illinois communities, has the knowledge and understanding, as well as substantial experience, in treating patients with knee arthritis.

Osteoarthritis of the knee

Are there different types of knee arthritis?

Yes. The following are three major types of knee arthritis:

  • Osteoarthritis: This type of knee arthritis is the most common and results from the natural aging process. Over time, the articular cartilage degenerates which can develop into gradual knee pain. The pain worsens from the excessive grinding of the damaged tissue that eventually causes bone-on-bone movement.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis: The articular cartilage and synovial membrane within the knee joint are attacked and destroyed by the body’s own immune system. This autoimmune condition can cause knee pain and stiffness in both knee joints.
  • Post-traumatic Arthritis: As the name suggests, a knee injury that results in joint structural damage, such as a knee fracture, or dashboard knee injury, or direct trauma may evolve into knee arthritis. Damage to other soft-tissue structures of the knee joint can cause joint instability and eventually lead to arthritis.

What are the symptoms of knee arthritis?

The gradual onset of knee pain that continues to worsen with time is the most common symptom among all three types of knee arthritis. Some individuals describe more noticeable pain in the morning and pain can fluctuate with weather changes. Some other common symptoms of knee arthritis include:

  • Inflammation of the affected knee joint
  • A “buckling” sensation or weakness of the affected knee
  • Knee stiffness
  • Pain is temporarily worse after strenuous activities
  • Difficulty with straightening or bending the affected knee

How is knee arthritis diagnosed?

Dr. McCormick begins by discussing the patient’s medical history with a focus on any previous knee injuries, underlying health conditions that may contribute to arthritis, and any current symptoms. A physical examination will follow to evaluate the affected knee for any areas of pain and tenderness and any indicators of damage to the surrounding soft-tissue structures.

Diagnosing knee arthritis can be challenging though as the available imaging techniques, such as x-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may not detect subtle changes in the knee cartilage. However, combining these diagnostic imaging studies with the patient’s medical history and physical examination can provide Dr. McCormick with a better understanding of the cause of knee pain. Dr. McCormick can use a camera the size of needle to visualize the internal knee structures on the office or in a procedure room.

What is the treatment for knee arthritis?

Non-surgical treatment:

Patients with mild knee arthritis may benefit from initial treatment with conservative therapies. Lifestyle modifications, such as weight loss and restricting strenuous activities, can slow the progression of knee arthritis. Any pain and inflammation can be controlled with RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). Recent medical technology advancements have led to newer alternative therapy options that utilize the patient’s own stem cells or platelet-rich plasma. A corticosteroid injection or new biologic treatment can be administered directly to the injury site.

Surgical treatment:

When patients fail to respond to conservative treatment measures, or develop more severe knee arthritis, may require more invasive treatment to address knee arthritis. The following are different surgical techniques that Dr. McCormick can implement based on the patient’s specific needs:

  • Knee Arthroscopy: A small camera (arthroscope) and specialized surgical instruments are used to remove any damaged articular cartilage fragments. While this minimally invasive surgical procedure alleviates symptoms, it does not prevent additional arthritic damage to the knee joint. This can be done either in the office, in a procedure room, or a surgery center in combination with an anticipated surgical treatment.
  • Cartilage Grafting: Healthy cartilage is harvested from either the patient (autograft) or donor (allograft) to fill defects in the native articular cartilage. Patients who are younger or have small cartilage lesions are good candidates for this procedure.
  • Synovectomy: This technique removes the synovial membrane with the goal of reducing joint pain and swelling. A synovectomy is typically reserved for patients with rheumatoid arthritis that resulted in damage to the joint lining.
  • Osteotomy: Patients with joint damage to one side of the knee joint or who show indications of premature osteoarthritis will undergo this procedure. A wedge is resected from the femur or tibia to shift weight away from the damaged side of the joint and significantly improve overall knee function.
  • Partial or total Replacement: This procedure, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a final treatment option for patients with advanced knee arthritis that have exhausted all other treatment options. The damaged bone and cartilage are resurfaced with metal and plastic joint pieces to restore function of the knee joint.
  • Orthobiologics—PRP/A2M/BMAC/Adipose

Knee Arthritis Specialist

Are you experiencing knee pain that worsens after activity, or do you have trouble straightening or bending the knee fully? If so, you may have knee osteoarthritis or arthritis of the knee. Not all knee arthritis needs to be treated surgically, and you may benefit from one or more ortho-biologic treatments. Doctor Frank McCormick, provides diagnosis as well as surgical and non-surgical options to help your knee pain caused by arthritis. Contact Dr. McCormick’s team today!