Knee Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that affects the knees causing pain, swelling and stiffness. It occurs when the cartilage that cushions the bones in your joints deteriorates over time. The severity of this condition varies from one person to another and can range from mild to severe. Knowing when knee osteoarthritis is serious and requires immediate attention is vital for people suffering from the disease. In this blog post, we will help you understand the different stages of knee osteoarthritis and how to identify when it is serious.
Stage 1: Mild Knee Osteoarthritis
The first stage of knee osteoarthritis is usually mild. At this stage, you might experience some discomfort, pain, and swelling in your knee joint, but these symptoms tend to subside with rest. In some instances, the symptoms might not be noticeable, and you might only experience them when you perform certain activities like running or climbing stairs. Mild knee osteoarthritis can often be managed through physiotherapy and chiropractic treatments.
Stage 2: Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis
Moderate knee osteoarthritis occurs when there is a significant loss of cartilage in the knee joint. This leads to an increase in pain and swelling, making it difficult to perform daily activities. You might also experience stiffness and difficulty moving your knee joint. At this stage, physiotherapy, chiropractic, and medications are usually recommended to manage the pain and inflammation. In some cases, surgery might also be necessary.
Stage 3: Severe Knee Osteoarthritis
Severe knee osteoarthritis is when there is a near-complete loss of cartilage in the knee joint, causing severe pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity. You might also experience bone spurs that make it difficult to move your knee joint. At this stage, joint replacement surgery might be the only option. It is essential to seek immediate medical attention when the pain becomes debilitating, and the knee joint is no longer functional.
In conclusion, knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that affects the knee joints, causing pain and discomfort. Knowing when the condition is serious is essential for people suffering from the disease. Mild knee osteoarthritis can be managed through physiotherapy and chiropractic treatments, while moderate knee osteoarthritis might require medications and surgery. Severe knee osteoarthritis, on the other hand, might require joint replacement surgery. It is essential to seek medical attention when the pain becomes debilitating and affects your daily activities. If you are experiencing knee pain or discomfort, seek the advice of a medical specialist who can help diagnose and treat knee osteoarthritis.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment. Dr. Burzin Rao is a chiropractor in Waterloo.
