Knee arthrosis is often accompanied by severe pain. The more advanced the joint degeneration is, the greater the problems and limitations that the affected person has to endure. In addition to the pain, these include restrictions in the movement of the knee joint, loss of strength in the affected leg, inflammation in the joint and a resulting reduced quality of life. It is often the pain that ultimately drives patients to the doctor, where the diagnosis is made. Comprehensive information on this topic can be found in this article: Knee Athrosis
Symptoms
The symptoms of knee joint arthrosis are manifold. However, the typical description of the patient allows a quick conclusion to the disease. The leading symptom that leads many affected persons to a doctor for the first time is pain.
The pain manifests itself particularly when climbing stairs and walking on uneven terrain. It is also characteristic that the pain is usually particularly strong at the beginning of movement and then slowly subsides. This phenomenon is also called start-up pain.
If the load remains, however, the pain reoccurs (load pain). If the affected person also carries heavy loads or sits or stands for a long time, pain also occurs. A further symptom of existing knee arthrosis is cracking or grinding noises when moving the knee.
Patients are often sensitive to the weather and react more sensitively to damp-cold weather. Depending on the stage of the arthrosis, pain and increasingly restricted movement of the knee joint may occur. Patients feel stiffness in the knee joint, especially in the morning, and often have teething problems. Simple activities are more difficult. Other acute symptoms of osteoarthritis can be swelling and redness of the knee joint, which indicates inflammatory processes.
How do I recognize knee arthrosis?
Knee arthrosis is often easily recognized by the symptoms described above and its characteristic course. Previous injuries to the knee joint also favour the development of arthrosis. When patients consult a physician with their symptoms, he or she can first make a tentative diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis based on the patient’s medical history, the symptoms described and a physical examination. To be on the safe side, an X-ray, CT or MRT is then taken. These imaging procedures enable the physician to recognize the progress of the arthrosis and initiate appropriate treatment.
