Overview
Knee osteoarthritis (OA), commonly known as degenerative joint disease of the knee, is caused by wear and strain and gradual articular cartilage loss. It affects the elderly the most. Primary and secondary osteoarthritis of the knee can be distinguished. Primary osteoarthritis is articular deterioration that has no obvious cause. Secondary osteoarthritis develops as a result of an aberrant distribution of force across the joint, such as after a severe injury, or abnormal articular cartilage, such as in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Osteoarthritis is a condition that usually worsens with time and can lead to impairment. The severity of clinical symptoms varies from person to person. Over time, however, they usually grow more severe, more frequent, and debilitating. Each person's rate of advancement is likewise different.
Knee pain that develops gradually and increases with movement, knee stiffness and swelling, discomfort after extended sitting or sleeping, and pain that worsens with time are all common clinical signs. When conservative treatment approaches for knee osteoarthritis fail, surgical therapy alternatives are considered.