Knee Arthritis

Are You Experiencing Knee Pain and Stiffness?

The orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine experts at Westchester Sport and Spine are here to help you with your joint pain, which could be a result of arthritis in your knee. With 40 years of combined experience diagnosing pain from arthritis and treating arthritic joints, the fellowship trained specialists at Westchester Sport and Spine provide you with the highest level of care for surgical and non-surgical procedures.

About Knee Arthritis

Arthritis of the knee is a common condition affecting around 27 million Americans. Though the majority of people with arthritis are over the age of 60, some younger individuals may develop arthritis earlier as a result of trauma or disease.

There are three types of knee arthritis and patients who are experiencing discomfort in their knee are encouraged to seek professional help from Westchester Sport and Spine to find the right treatment option.

Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Osteoarthritis is a painful condition that can restrict motion and make regular tasks difficult. It can be disfiguring as well as painful since osteoarthritis causes the cartilage in your knee to degenerate.  As the cartilage gets more worn down, the bone may begin to scape together and become more painful.

The majority of patients with osteoarthritis are over the age of 50, but some genetic conditions may predispose younger individuals to osteoarthritis in their knees.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Knee

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful condition that typically strikes both knees, as it is a symmetrical chronic disease. Since the knee joint is protected by the synovial membrane that surrounds it, the swelling caused by rheumatoid arthritis can not only be painful but also disabling.

Patients who have rheumatoid arthritis of their knee must work with a professional to handle the autoimmune side of this disease as well as managing their knee pain.

Post-traumatic Arthritis of the Knee

For some patients, the cause of their knee pain is actually posttraumatic arthritis that has developed after an injury.

Since this condition develops after an injury, patients may not notice any symptoms for months or years after the accident. For example, if you have fallen on your knee during a football game, you may not have noticed that you damaged the bone surface. Years later, posttraumatic arthritis may develop in the area.

Symptoms of Knee Arthritis

Patients who are, or have, developed knee arthritis may notice symptoms such as stiffness, feeling “creaky,” pain, restricted range of motion, and pain after sitting or standing for long periods of time.

Some of the most common symptoms also include:

  • Swelling and inflammation
  • Deformity of the knee
  • Weakness in the knee
  • Buckling or locking of the knee
  • Grinding them the knee joint is moved

To be certain of the reason for your knee pain, contact the orthopedic surgeons at Westchester Sport and Spine for specific diagnosis of your knee pain.

Knee Arthritis Treatment Options

If you have developed knee arthritis, there are many options available to you to help control this disease, minimize your pain, and get you back to doing what you enjoy.

At Westchester Sport and Spine, conservative treatment options are always our first choice. Thankfully, there are several treatment options available to most patients before surgical joint replacement may be recommended.

Common treatments of knee arthritis include:

  • Physical therapy
  • Use of a cane or walker
  • Gel Hyaluronic Acid Injections
  • Ultrasound-Guided Injections
  • Anti-inflammatory medication
  • Corticosteroid injections

For more severe cases, your Westchester Sport and Spine provider may recommend joint replacement, cartilage grafts, synovectomy, or osteotomy procedures to relieve your symptoms.

Depending on your age, health, and the severity of your knee arthritis, your Westchester Sport and Spine doctor will create a treatment plan to get you back on the right path.

Call Us Immediately

If your knee pain is caused by an injury and is accompanied by any of the symptoms below, please call Westchester Sport and Spine immediately and then ask someone to drive you to our clinic.

  • Your knee appears deformed
  • Inability to use your knee or extend your leg
  • Intense pain
  • Sudden swelling