Arthritis of the Knee

Introduction

The knee is a vital joint in our bodies as it bears a significant portion of the body’s weight, facilitating movements such as walking, running, and jumping. However, when arthritis sets in, this joint’s integrity is compromised, leading to a number of symptoms that can dramatically affect one’s lifestyle and ability to perform simple daily tasks. Knee arthritis, characterized by the inflammation and gradual degradation of the knee joint, is not a single disease but rather a term describing various conditions that cause joint pain and dysfunction. In this article, we’ll provide an understanding of knee arthritis and how to manage its treatment.

What is Knee Arthritis?

Knee arthritis is a gradual wearing away of the cartilage within the knee joint. Cartilage is the smooth, cushion-like material that covers the ends of bones and helps with joint movement. However, as arthritis progresses, the cartilage deteriorates, leading to bone-on-bone contact that produces pain, swelling, and a decrease in joint mobility. This can stem from several causes including age-related wear and tear, autoimmune disorders, and the result of knee injuries.

Types of Knee Arthritis

Knee arthritis is a broad term that includes several specific conditions, each with its own characteristics:

1. Osteoarthritis – This is the most prevalent form of arthritis and primarily affects older patients. The loss of cartilage leads to pain and stiffness as bones rub against each other
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis – This is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the membrane that encases the knee joint, causing chronic inflammation and joint damage. This erodes the cartilage but can also affect the bones, leading to significant deformity and dysfunction.
3. Post-Traumatic Arthritis – This type of arthritis is a result of a knee injury, such as ligament damage, bone fractures, or meniscus tears. These injuries can disrupt the joint’s normal function, leading to cartilage damage over time and eventually evolving into arthritis.

Symptoms

The symptoms of knee arthritis vary among individuals, but typical symptoms include:

• Pain – The pain associated with knee arthritis may range from a mild, nagging ache to severe, debilitating pain. These symptoms can be increased by activities that strain the knee joint, such as walking, climbing stairs, or standing for extended periods of time.
• Stiffness – Morning stiffness or stiffness after periods of inactivity is a common symptom that’s often described as a feeling that the knee is “locked up” or difficult to move initially.
• Swelling – Inflammation in the joint can lead to noticeable swelling, as the body attempts to protect the knee by increasing fluid in the joint.
• Reduced Mobility – The progressive loss of cartilage and the accompanying symptoms can lead to a major reduction in the knee’s range of motion, making it challenging to perform movements that were once effortless.

Treatments

Treatments for knee arthritis are varied:

• Medication – This includes a variety of drugs, from over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs to prescription pain medications.
• Physical Therapy – Physical therapy for knee arthritis focuses on strengthening the muscles around the knee to enhance flexibility and teaching movement strategies to reduce stress on the joint.
• Knee Braces – Braces can provide external support to the knee, redistributing weight away from the affected parts of the joint for pain relief and improving stability during movement.
• Injections – Injections with corticosteroids for inflammation or hyaluronic acid for lubrication can alleviate pain and improve joint function.
• Surgery – Surgeries such as arthroscopy, partial or total knee replacement, or osteotomy may be considered for severe cases where other therapies have been unsuccess

Risk Factors for Knee Arthritis

It’s important to have an understanding of risk factors for both prevention and early intervention:

• Age – The risk of developing knee arthritis increases with age, as wear and tear take their toll.
• Weight – Excess body weight puts additional pressure on the knee joints during everyday activities.
• Genetics – A family history of arthritis can increase the odds of developing knee arthritis.
• Previous Knee Injuries – Injuries to the knee can affect the joint’s integrity, leading to an increased risk of arthritis in the future.
• Occupational Hazards – Jobs or activities that include repetitive stress on the knees can increase the risk of knee arthritis over time.

Conclusion

Knee arthritis is a condition that presents a significant challenge to those it affects. By understanding the types, recognizing the symptoms early, and exploring comprehensive treatment options, patients can effectively manage the condition and maintain an active lifestyle. Taking a proactive approach to joint health, considering the risk factors, and seeking timely medical intervention can help to reduce the impact of knee arthritis.

At Sandusky Wellness Center in Sandusky, Ohio, we offer a wide range of chiropractic services to both adults and children, tackling various health issues from back pain to hormonal imbalances. Our experienced team uses the latest technology and evidence-based techniques to deliver exceptional care, including spinal decompression and myofascial release. We aim to address the underlying causes of health concerns, not just the symptoms, by adopting a holistic approach that treats the physical, emotional, and mental dimensions of health. Our friendly center welcomes individuals of all ages and provides diverse treatments for ailments such as whiplash, knee discomfort, and sports-related injuries. We are dedicated to ensuring minimal wait times and tailoring treatment plans to each individual’s needs, with the goal of enhancing your overall wellness and helping you to lead a stronger, healthier, and pain-free life.

For more information about the services we provide, or to schedule a consultation, contact us via our website or give us a call at (419) 971-7029.

Are Regular Chiropractic Visits Necessary?

Eliminate Back Pain with Our Chiropractic Care

Most patients believe that chiropractors only treat back pain. While that’s true, through chiropractic care, our providers can provide more than just relief from your back pain. Millions of patients find relief through chiropractic care each year. If you’re unsure sure what a chiropractor is or if you need to schedule regular visits, Sandusky Wellness Center is here to help. We offer exemplary chiropractic adjustments to our Sandusky, OH, patients. Our highly trained chiropractors will work closely with you to ensure you get the care you deserve in a laid-back and friendly environment. If you’re ready to discover the benefit of chiropractic care or if regular chiropractic visits are necessary, don’t hesitate to reach out to schedule your free consultation today.

What is a Chiropractor?

Chiropractic care is a specialized healthcare profession in which a trained provider provides care for a patient’s neuromusculoskeletal system. Your neuromusculoskeletal system includes your bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. A chiropractor is a title given to practitioners of chiropractic care. Chiropractors help manage back and neck pain by using spinal adjustments and manipulations to ensure the patient’s spinal column is aligned correctly. They can reduce pain in soft tissues, muscles, and other sections of the neuromusculoskeletal system through specific manipulations. Our team will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan to help reduce pain and treat certain complications.

What is a Chiropractic Adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is a procedure in which a trained chiropractor uses a small instrument or their hands to apply sudden and controlled force to a spinal joint or another joint on a patient’s body. The pressure ensures that the body’s musculoskeletal structure is in proper alignment. While it’s easy to think a chiropractor is just there to pop your back, these are precise and targeted adjustments to help alleviate pain, stiffness, and discomfort. Chiropractic adjustments are commonly used to help relieve back and neck pain and headaches.

Discover How Chiropractic Adjustments Work

Each possible chiropractic adjustment is specific to the patient’s body. We start each initial visit with a complete physical examination and discuss your pain and concerns. This allows our team to discover and identify the source of the issues and develop a treatment plan based on your specific needs. Chiropractic care ensures your body’s musculoskeletal structure is aligned correctly, encouraging it to heal. You’ll be placed in a specific position when treatment begins, often on padded tables. This is when our chiropractors apply force to correct any misalignments.

How To Determine You Need a Chiropractor

As we’ve mentioned, millions seek our chiropractic treatment either to help recover from specific injuries or those suffering from chronic pain. Regardless of the source, we seek to help patients who walk into our clinic live pain-free lives. There are several reasons you may want to seek chiropractic care. Our services are not uncommon to be recommended following an auto or sports accident. Many patients suffer from pain, either chronic or acute. Pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek our care, if not the most. If you ever have questions regarding whether our services could provide relief, we encourage you to reach out and speak to one of our knowledgeable representatives.

Three Reasons for Seeking Chiropractic Care

Throughout our years of service, we’ve discovered three primary reasons patients seek relief through chiropractic care. The first reason directly relates to a patient’s chronic or acute pain. Pain can make it difficult for patients to sleep, eat, work, and find joy in their favorite hobbies, whether caused by an auto accident, herniated disc, sports injury, or other complications such as fibromyalgia. Without a doubt, intense pain can be unbearable. Most patients complain of a dull and constant pain sensation in their back or neck. This can be caused by bad posture, general strain, or overuse. The last reason patients seek chiropractic care is to help maintain a healthy lifestyle. Our chiropractic adjustments and maintenance plans can help you feel great moving forward. Chiropractic care can help prevent avoidable joint and spinal issues.

How Often Should You Go to the Chiropractor?

You may be asking yourself, are regular chiropractic visits necessary? You don’t have to be in pain to visit our chiropractors. Patients can take advantage of our maintenance services to help ensure they maintain optimal body function. For our patients, we may recommend scheduling routine adjustments regardless of whether they’re suffering from any issues. When you take advantage of routine chiropractic visits, you can reduce your chance of re-injury. When you first start seeking treatment, you may be asked to visit our office several times a week, and as you heal, that number may be reduced.

What Should You Expect for Your First Visit?

It’s understandable to be slightly nervous about your first appointment. You’ll meet your chiropractor, who will introduce themselves and discuss your concerns and issues while completing a full examination. Your first visit is always the longest as we like to talk about your pain and any past or present injuries. During the examination, we’ll ask how the pain started while examining various motions and measuring muscle tone and strength. You’ll receive a personalized treatment plan at the end of the examination. You may also receive some exercises to complete at home to help strengthen your muscles and reduce your pain. Treatment may or may not begin during your first visit, but you’ll be scheduled for your next visit before you head home.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

All it takes is one visit. During your initial visit, our experienced chiropractors will work with you to create a treatment plan to help alleviate your pain. You’ll discover how often you’ll come back to our office. After your initial visit, we’re confident you’ll be able to return to enjoying your life free of discomfort. A regular visit often happens for our patients, whether or not they are in pain. Taking advantage of our chiropractic services can help you reduce your chances of re-injury. Don’t hesitate to contact the seasoned professionals at Sandusky Wellness Center for help. We can help you take the first step on your health journey. Contact us today.