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What is Osteoarthritis of the Knee?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can affect the many tissues of the joint. It is by far the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 32.5 million adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. OA is caused by trauma or age-related wear and tear on the joints over time and is most likely to affect weight-bearing joints such as the knees. Injury or overuse, such as knee bending and repetitive stress on a joint, can damage a joint and increase the risk of OA. The risk of developing OA increases with age and is most common from middle age onward. For decades, OA was believed to be a destructive process associated with joint usage and advancing age. We now know that OA is a disease of the entire joint, including bone, cartilage, ligaments, fat, and the tissues lining the joint. OA can degrade cartilage, change bone shape, and cause inflammation, resulting in pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility.
Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee primarily affects the cartilage in the knee joint. The gradual wear and tear of the cartilage can lead to various symptoms, with knee pain being a prominent and often early sign. It’s important to note that symptoms can vary in severity from person to person and often develop slowly and worsen over time.
Osteoarthritis of the Knee Causes
Knee osteoarthritis is typically the result of wear and tear and the breakdown of cartilage in the knee joint. The cartilage eventually wears down completely, causing your bones to rub together and the connective tissues of the joint to deteriorate. It’s most common in women and patients 60 years or older. However, several risk factors can cause osteoarthritis in the knee, including previous injuries and excessive weight.
Common Causes
- Genetics
- Obesity
- Old age
- Previous knee injury
- Repetitive stress on the knee
Osteoarthritis of the Knee Diagnosis
Diagnosing knee osteoarthritis involves a combination of factors, including reviewing your medical history, a physical examination, and imaging tests. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and risk factors, and examine your knee, looking for tenderness, swelling, warmth, and decreased range of motion. They may also perform specific tests to assess your knee’s stability and function.
Genicular Artery Embolization
Genicular artery embolization (GAE) allows patients to achieve knee pain relief from osteoarthritis without the need for surgery. It’s a minimally invasive procedure performed by an interventional radiologist that involves reducing or blocking the blood flow to the genicular arteries that supply blood to the knee joint. GAE effectively decreases knee pain and swelling for patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis with patients experiencing results in 1-2 weeks, relief from symptoms for 1-3 years, and an increased range of motion in the knee.
GAE vs. Cortisone Shot
Cortisone shots are commonly used for various joint conditions, including osteoarthritis of the knee. The shot involves injecting a corticosteroid (a powerful anti-inflammatory medication) directly into the affected joint. The goal of cortisone shots is to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain, but their effects are typically temporary, and repeated injections may be needed to provide relief from knee pain and inflammation. GAE provides long-lasting relief for osteoarthritis knee pain for 1-3 years and stops the symptoms instead of just masking them, unlike a cortisone shot which provides only temporary relief for 2-3 months.
GAE vs. Knee Replacement
A knee replacement involves surgically replacing the damaged knee joint with an artificial joint prosthesis. It’s generally recommended for individuals with advanced osteoarthritis or significant joint damage. Knee replacement surgery is a well-established procedure with a high success rate in relieving knee pain, but it’s a more invasive procedure that requires a hospital stay and a longer recovery, including physical therapy and rehabilitation. GAE is a minimally invasive and same-day procedure that requires no hospital stay and a faster recovery time.
What to Expect from Genicular Artery Embolization
Knee Osteoarthritis Frequently Asked Questions
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. It’s a degenerative joint disease that causes the protective cartilage in your knee joints to wear down, leading to pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving.
There is no cure for knee osteoarthritis, but there are many effective treatments, such as genicular artery embolization (GAE), that can help manage the symptoms and improve your quality of life.
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent knee osteoarthritis, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk, such as:
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Losing weight if you are overweight or obese can reduce stress on your joints.
- Regular exercise: Regular physical activity can help strengthen muscles and protect joints.
- Avoiding joint injuries: Wear protective gear when playing sports or engaging in activities that could put stress on your joints.
- Listen to your body: Pay attention to your body and avoid activities that cause pain.
Our Knee Pain Specialists
Our affiliated knee pain specialists in New York and New Jersey are board-certified interventional radiologists committed to alleviating knee pain and improving the quality of life for individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee. From thorough assessments to developing tailored treatment plans, our affiliated specialists work collaboratively with patients to restore mobility, reduce pain, and promote long-term joint health. You can find the following doctors at our New York and New Jersey locations.
What Our Patients Are Saying
Don’t let knee pain limit your life any longer! Schedule an appointment with our specialist to start your pain-free journey today.