Understanding knee pain
Regain control of your knee mobility
Are you suffering from knee pain?
Do you experience knee pain when climbing stairs, sitting down or standing up, or simply bending or straightening your leg?
Knee pain can prevent you from relaxing or sleeping, and can limit activities you enjoy, such as swimming, driving, gardening, or playing golf. If you’ve experienced any combination of these symptoms or others, and medications aren’t delivering enough relief, it may be time to consider knee replacement surgery.
Why do I have knee pain?
The knee is the most complex joint in the body. It is comprised of three bones: the femur, the tibia, and the patella, the ends of which are covered by a smooth surface, the cartilage, which allows for smooth movement. The meniscus is a layer of fibrocartilage that cushions the knee joint and transfers forces between the tibia and femur.
Knee ligaments are powerful bands that connect the bones and keep everything properly positioned and stable. During knee bending, the lateral part of the femur (outer) rolls back, while the medial part (inner) only rotates without moving backward. The main cause of knee diseases, and consequently knee pain, is arthritis.
What is knee arthritis?
The main cause of knee diseases, and consequently knee pain, is wearing out of the knee cartilage, known as arthritis.
There are many types of arthritis. However, the following are among the most common.
- Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. This occurs when the cartilage that cushions and protects the ends of bones deteriorates with use and age.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic form of inflammatory arthritis, an autoimmune disease that can affect almost any joint in your body, including your knees.
In the case of advanced knee diseases, and if recommended treatments do not work, your doctor may suggest that you undergo a knee replacement surgery.
1 in 10 people over the age of 60 will be affected by osteoarthritis1.
The information contained here is intended for reference only and does not represent or constitute medical advice or a recommendation. Each patient must be examined and advised individually by a physician, and this information does not replace the need for such examination and/or advice in whole or in part. Results are not necessarily typical, indicative, or representative of all patients. Results may vary due to health status, weight, activity, and other variables. Not all patients are candidates for this product and/or procedure. The appropriate postoperative activities and pain management will differ from patient to patient. Talk to your doctor about your condition and about whether the presented procedure is appropriate for you, considering the risks associated. All content is protected by copyright, trademarks and/or other intellectual property rights of Medacta and cannot be used without the written consent of Medacta. In good faith, Medacta asserts that this material does not infringe or misappropriate any intellectual property rights of any third party.
References
1) Musculoskeletal Health in Europe Report v5.0 – p18. http://www.eumusc.net accessed on 10/04/2018.