Do your knees hurt too? Let's learn everything about arthritis in a simple way!

Do you also feel that your knees are stiff when you wake up in the morning, and it is difficult to bend or straighten them? When you climb a flight of stairs or walk for a while, do you feel pain with a 'crackling' sound coming from your knees? If these things are familiar to you, then perhaps you also have a common, but somewhat annoying condition among many people. Today we are talking about arthritis of the knee. Don't worry, we will talk about everything in a simple way that you can understand.

Simply put, what is this arthritis?

Think of the joints in our bodies as being like the hinges of a door. In order for these hinges to work smoothly, quietly, and easily, they need to have something like oil between them. In our joints, especially weight-bearing joints like the knee, where two bones meet, there is a smooth, rubbery layer. We call this cartilage . This is what acts as the oil in those hinges. That is, when we walk, run, or dance, it prevents the bones from rubbing against each other and helps the joint move smoothly.

In a condition called arthritis, for some reason , this protective covering called cartilage gradually wears away . Then, that smoothness is lost, and the ends of the bones start rubbing against each other. That's when symptoms like pain, swelling, and joint stiffness appear. This most often affects the large weight-bearing joints of our body, like the knees.

What types of arthritis affect the knee?

There are over 100 types of arthritis, but there are a few main types that most commonly affect the knee. Let's take a look at them.

In addition, other types of arthritis, such as gout , can also affect the knees. To find out exactly which type you have, you should definitely see a doctor .

What are the symptoms that suggest arthritis in the knee?

The symptoms of arthritis can vary from person to person, but there are some common ones.

• Pain: Pain comes first. The pain may increase, especially when walking, climbing stairs, or bending the knee. The pain may subside after a short rest, but may return when you resume work.
• Stiffness: One of the main symptoms is a feeling of stiffness in the knee upon waking up in the morning, which can last for about 30 minutes.
• Swelling: You may notice swelling around the knee. Sometimes, you may feel warmth when you touch the knee.
• Crepitus: A sound or sensation that sounds like "crackling" of milk when you bend or straighten your knee. This is caused by the cartilage wearing away and the bones rubbing against each other.
• Knee weakness: The knee may suddenly feel like it is "going weak" and unable to bear weight.
• Limited movement: Over time, you may become unable to fully bend or straighten your knee.

What are the risk factors for developing arthritis?

Although anyone can develop arthritis, some people are at higher risk.

• Age: The risk of developing osteoarthritis, especially after the age of 50, increases.
• Obesity: When we gain weight, our knees bear the brunt of the weight, which can cause cartilage to wear out more quickly.
• Old injuries: If you have had a previous knee accident, sports injury, or surgery, you are more likely to develop arthritis later.
• Occupation: People who engage in jobs that put a lot of pressure on the knees (e.g., sedentary work, farming, heavy lifting) are at higher risk.
• Heredity: If someone in your family has it (especially rheumatoid arthritis), you may be at a higher risk of developing it too.
• Gender: Some types of arthritis, for example rheumatoid arthritis, are more common in women.

How do you find this, Doctor?

When you go to the doctor, he will first ask you about your symptoms. Then he will examine your knee. He will check for swelling, warmth, and pain when moving it.

Then, several tests may be done to confirm the disease:

1. X-ray: This can be used to check whether the gap between the knee bones has narrowed or the cartilage has worn away.

2. MRI or CT scan: These help get a clearer picture of the damage to soft tissues like cartilage and ligaments.

3. Blood tests: Blood tests may be ordered to measure certain things in the blood (e.g. inflammatory markers), especially if a condition like rheumatoid arthritis is suspected.

Well, what treatment can be done now?

The important thing is that arthritis is a condition that cannot be completely cured, but it can be managed very well . Just like diabetes and high blood pressure, the main goals of treatment are to control pain, increase joint function, and prevent the disease from getting worse.

There are several treatment options. Your doctor will assess your condition and develop a treatment plan that best suits you.

1. Lifestyle changes and exercise

This is the foundation of treatment. These things can be more important than medication.

• Losing weight: If you are a little overweight, losing even one kilo can significantly reduce the pressure on your knees.
• The right exercise: It is wrong to think that "it is not good to exercise because the knee hurts." By doing exercises that strengthen the muscles around the knee, the support provided to the joint will increase and the pain will decrease. Low-impact exercises that do not put too much pressure on the knee, such as swimming, cycling, and walking, are the best. It is very important to seek advice from a physiotherapist about this.
• Hot and cold applications: Applying a hot water bottle can provide relief when there is pain and stiffness. If there is swelling, it is best to apply an ice pack.

2. Medications

The doctor may prescribe various medications to control pain and inflammation.

3. Surgery

In cases where the pain cannot be controlled despite all other treatments and the knee is so damaged that it is impossible to perform daily activities, surgery must be considered as a last resort.

• Knee Arthroscopy: A camera is inserted through small incisions to clean or perform minor repairs inside the joint.
• Knee Replacement: Parts or the entire worn-out joint is replaced with an artificial joint made of metal and plastic. This is a very successful surgery, eliminating pain and allowing you to walk well again.

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