Knee Arthritis

Learn the signs and treatment options for improved mobility

Patients experiencing pain and swelling of the knee may be afflicted with knee arthritis. They may also assume they have osteoarthritis, but the two conditions are different.

Think of “arthritis” as the general category of “diseases of the knee.” Within that category, “osteoarthritis” is one specific type of knee disease, like saying “the flu” is one type of “viral illness.”

Knee Injury, or Knee Arthritis?

It can sometimes be tricky to distinguish between knee arthritis and a knee injury, as some symptoms can overlap. However, there are some key differences to look for:

Onset of Pain

Arthritis pain typically emerges slowly, evolving over weeks, months, or even years, often without a clear initiating event. In contrast, injury-related pain is usually immediate and directly traceable to a specific incident, such as a twist, fall, or direct impact to the knee.

Type of Pain

Arthritis pain is usually a dull ache with stiffness, often described as a deep soreness that can limit flexibility. This discomfort tends to be more pronounced after periods of inactivity, such as first thing in the morning or after sitting for extended periods. In contrast, injury pain is typically sharp and immediate, related to specific damage of ligaments, tendons, or cartilage.

Associated Symptoms

Knee arthritis typically manifests with a gradual onset of dull, aching pain, often accompanied by stiffness that is worse in the morning or after rest but improves with initial movement. This pain can fluctuate and may worsen after activity.¹ In contrast, a knee injury usually presents with sudden, sharp pain directly related to a specific incident, potentially accompanied by immediate swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight or moving the knee.

¹ https://www.samitivejhospitals.com/article/detail/Warning-signs-knee-osteoarthritis

Types of Knee Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Unlike osteoarthritis, which is caused by wear and tear, rheumatoid arthritis affects both knees (and often other joints) symmetrically and can occur at any age. Over time, the persistent inflammation can erode cartilage and bone, leading to joint deformity and reduced mobility.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis can affect the knee by causing inflammation in the joint lining, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. The inflammation may also affect surrounding tendons and ligaments, contributing to a feeling of tightness or instability in the joint.

Gout Arthritis

Gout arthritis in the knee occurs when high levels of uric acid in the blood lead to the formation of uric acid crystals that deposit in the knee joint. This triggers a sudden and intense inflammatory response, resulting in severe pain, swelling, warmth, and redness in the affected knee.

Post-traumatic Arthritis

Post-traumatic arthritis of the knee develops after a knee injury—such as a fracture, ligament tear (like ACL), or meniscus damage. Even if the injury is treated successfully, symptoms may appear months or even years after the original injury, and often worsen with activity or weight-bearing.

It’s important to have a licensed physician properly diagnose the condition to determine the specific type of arthritis and prescribe an appropriate treatment plan.

Procedures and Treatments

Genicular Artery Embolization

A specialist uses a small catheter to inject microscopic beads to reduce blood flow to inflamed areas in the knee, effectively decreasing pain and promoting relief.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

PRP therapy for knee arthritis involves injecting a concentration of the patient’s own platelets into the affected knee to stimulate healing and reduce pain and inflammation.

Ultrasound-Guided Injections

Medications, such as corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid, are delivered into a joint using ultrasound imaging for accurate needle placement.

Ezell Askew, MD

Dr. Askew is proficient in performing a wide range of procedures, including Botox Therapy for various pain syndromes, Spine Neuromodulation, Intrathecal Drug Pump Placement, Carotid Stenting, Endovenous Laser Therapy for varicose veins, and numerous pain services such as Epidural Steroid Injections and Plexus Blockades.

He treats low back pain, vertebral compression fractures, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal cord injuries and spaciticy, sports injuries, pelvic venous congestion, and offers uterine fibroid embolization.

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