One out of every three adult Americans will suffer from arthritis. Arthritis is a disease that affects the body's bone joints. People who suffer from arthritis often experience many painful side effects, and there is no known cure. A very common type of arthritis is arthritis of the knee. This particular type of arthritis can make walking, bending the knee, and even sleep problematic. These mobility problems are common to sufferers of knee arthritis.
A common cause of knee arthritis is injury to the joint or extreme stress on the joint. For example, a sports injury or a bad fall may injure the knee joint. Extreme stress on the knee joint can also be the result of a injury to the area, or it can be the result of excess weight bearing down on the knee joints for many years. Whenever a joint has been injured or under stress, the likelihood of that joint developing arthritis increases. If there hasn't been an injury or stress on the knee joint, arthritis of the knee may be due to genetics and was inherited.
How do you know if you have arthritis in the knee? Symptoms can include swelling of the knee joint, a general tenderness in the area, aching in the joint, a popping noise when the joint is extended, or overall stiffness of the knees. Often, the symptoms are exacerbated by temperature changes, particularly coldness, or moisture changes in the air and precipitation. Many arthritis sufferers come to accurately predict the weather based upon their symptoms.
This correlation of arthritis symptoms and weather changes is based upon science. Joints that are afflicted by arthritis may develop an excess of nerve endings. These nerve endings are therefore much more sensitive to changes in the weather. This can also increase in the beginning of the day and when the joint is moved.
If you think you may have knee arthritis you should consult an appropriate doctor. A doctor will ask you questions about your medical history, what symptoms you are exhibiting, and can perform other tests to correctly diagnose the problem. An accurate diagnosis is vital to treating the problem. You may be suffering from another problem that is not linked to arthritis.
As stated earlier, there is no known cure for arthritis. There are however, therapies available to lessen the symptoms and provide some relief from pain. These run the gamete from doctor prescribed medicines and physical therapy, to over the counter medications and herbal remedies. Many sufferers find that a combination of pain management techniques and exercise can lessen the symptoms. In severe cases, surgery has also been used to treat knee arthritis. The appropriate treatment should be tailored for the patient and the severity of the arthritis.
The information compiled is not intended to be a substitute for any advice and information provided by a medical professional. It is for your information purpose only. If you believe you are suffering from knee arthritis or have questions about its treatment, consult your doctor immediately.
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