How to Know if You Have Osteoarthritis in Your Knee
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Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disorder, which can lead to severe pain and disability. It affects millions of Americans every year, making it one of the most common conditions in the U.S. Osteoarthritis in the knee is especially prevalent and prevents people from performing many functions that would otherwise be easy.
When anti-inflammatory drugs and knee braces only provide short-term relief in New York City, NY, it's time to meet with a board-certified physician, like Dr. Matthew Kohler at Ospina Medical. We can provide comprehensive care for arthritic knees, including options like steroid injections, platelet-rich plasma, and bone marrow concentrate to stimulate healing and slow degeneration.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a condition that regularly affects the joints. It can get worse over time until it completely inhibits a person from moving, making simple tasks difficult to perform. OA can cause an actual loss of tissue from the joints in specific areas. The amount of damage that occurs in patients determines the severity of the symptoms.
What are the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis?
Symptoms of arthritic knees can range from mild discomfort to severe pain that limits your mobility. If you're suffering from the following symptoms, consult with Ospina Medical for an evaluation in New York City, NY:
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Pain: Cartilage acts as a buffer between the bones of the knee. Loss of essential cartilage causes friction and discomfort. Knee pain can worsen with continued stress on the joint. It's most noticeable when getting up from a seated position or climbing stairs.
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Stiffness: Because cartilage acts as a cushion, it normally absorbs shock and makes it easier to move. Once the cartilage is gone, the bones rub together with every step you take. This can lead to stiffness in the joints.
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Swelling: Swelling in the knee can be an indication of damage to joints, tendons, ligaments, or other tissues.
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Change in appearance: Over time, the joint closest to the skin's surface takes on a bulging look. The bones underneath may also take on an abnormal shape due to osteoarthritis.
How do you diagnose knee osteoarthritis?
There are several tests and exams that a doctor can perform to diagnose knee osteoarthritis. During a physical exam, Dr. Kohler at Ospina Medical will ask about your symptoms and feel for any signs of swelling or deformity that’s prevalent in arthritic knees. We can also check your range of motion and muscle strength. Diagnostic tests, like ultrasounds, x-rays, and MRIs, can give us a more comprehensive and detailed view of your condition.
Can you treat knee osteoarthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis is chronic, meaning it doesn't go away on its own or disappear overnight. However, there are methods to manage the pain and slow down the progression of the disease. When remedies like anti-inflammatory drugs, knee braces, and other over-the-counter solutions don't provide relief from knee pain, Ospina Medical has a variety of treatment solutions that improve mobility and provide long-lasting results. This includes steroid injections, platelet-rich plasma, and bone marrow concentrate that contains stem cells.
Relieve knee pain with effective treatment options
We hope this has given you some insight into the most common warning signs of knee osteoarthritis. The more information you have, the better equipped you will be to deal with this condition and get treatment if necessary. Don't hesitate to reach out to Ospina Medical in New York City, NY. Dr. Matthew Kohler is dedicated to giving you the resources needed to move forward in health.