Arthritis is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in joints. Although there are many different types of arthritis, the types that most often affect the knee are:
Osteoarthritis
Sometimes called “wear and tear” arthritis, which causes cartilage in the knee to wear away, leaving the bones to rub against each other
Rheumatoid arthritis
Is caused by an overactive immune system and results in inflammation in the knee
Symptoms
Knee arthritis causes pain and stiffness and can make walking difficult.
Causes and risk factors
The cause of arthritis is not known.
Anyone can get osteoarthritis, but it is more common among people over the age of 50 who:
Have a family history of the disease
Are overweight
Have had a previous hip injury
Rheumatoid arthritis can affect people of any age.
Treatment options
While there is no cure for arthritis, your doctor can recommend treatments to reduce pain, make moving easier, and slow the progress of the disease. These include:
Medications
Exercise and physical therapy
Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight
Knee replacement, in more serious cases of rheumatoid arthritis
The contents of this website are for information purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not rely on the information provided for medical decision making and should direct all questions regarding medical matters to their physician or other health care provider. Use of this information does not create an express or implied physician-patient relationship.