Osteoarthritis is now America’s #1 crippler. Excellent treatment is available but no cure is in sight.
Unfortunately, despite treatment, the illness continues to progress. The most important feature in battling osteoarthritis is to get a good diagnosis because “all that aches ain’t arthritis.”
What is a History?
The single most important series of facts that your physician uses to diagnose your problem is your history. This includes your “chief complaint” – what bothers you the most – the history of your present illness. How, why, what, when, how long, etc. And your past history which includes treatments to date, other health problems, etc. This is the trail of clues that lead to the diagnosis. It is estimated that up to 90% of diagnoses can be made if your physician takes an exhaustive history.
The typical history of a patient with early osteoarthritis of the knee includes a chief complaint of: “My knee hurts” and a present illness story of 3 months of slowly increasing swelling and stiffness in the knee with no injury.
What is a Physical Examination?
Your physician uses the elements of the examination to confirm the diagnosis made by history or to add facts to make the diagnosis and to establish the extent of the illness.
In the moderately affected arthritic knee, some restriction of motion is typical. The knee cannot fully straighten or fully bend. The knee usually has heat in it and a small amount of fluid. The arthritic area in the knee is usually tender to the touch.
What Do the X-rays Show, Doc?
The x-ray above show space between the tibia and femur. That space is filled with cartilage. Cartilage is the gristle-like cushion between the bones. It has no calcium and cannot be seen by x-ray. The x-ray on the right shows narrowing of the space between the bones. This narrowing is caused by loss of the cartilage cushion. Arthritis by definition is an illness of cartilage which causes the cartilage to be lost.
The most common type of knee arthritis is the bowlegged type. The x-rays on the left shows the stages of progress of the disease. The second most common type is the knock kneed type. The progression can be seen on the right.
The least common type of knee arthritis affects the kneecap. On the left you can see the progression of the arthritis.
Can an MRI Help in the Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis of the Knee?
The MRI is an amazing tool. There is no radiation involved and it sees most structures not seen by x-ray. Its value for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee is somewhat limited. The MRI is most useful for patients with very early osteoarthritis of the knee. For people who have knee pain without injury and who have not responded to cortisone shots or anti-inflammatory medicines, the MRI can detect a meniscus cartilage degeneration that cannot be seen on x-ray. Meniscus cartilage is a c-shaped shock absorber on each side which can become dried out and crumble as part of the process of osteoarthritis.
Non-operative Treatment for Osteoarthritis
Diet (Fruits and Vegetables) Exercising (Walking) Medications (Medicine) Injections (Injection Syringe w/o Needles) Herbs (Glucosamine Package)
Operative Treatment for Osteoarthritis of the Knee
A-scope Osteomy (Tibial) TKR (OR) PKR (OR) OPTIONS (Anesthesia)
FAQs on Osteoarthritis of the Knee & Hip
FAQs on Arthritis (Osteoarthritis) of the Spine
