The components of a healthy knee joint work in harmony to protect the joint from injury while the knee is in motion.
But factors such as disease and injury can cause the joint to wear down, resulting in pain and limited mobility.
Due to the wide range of issues that can cause knee pain, including sprains, strains or ligament tears, it’s best to consult a physician to ensure an accurate diagnosis and course of treatment.
There are several possible causes of knee joint pain that can cause degeneration of the joint and that may eventually require total knee replacement surgery.
Osteoarthritis
The most common form of arthritis and affects millions of Canadians. Osteoarthritis is caused when the cartilage, that normally protects the joints and helps prevent bones from rubbing together, breaks down. In the case of the knee, the cartilage that covers the knee joint bones, such as the patella, tibia or femur, is worn away leading to bone-on-bone contact. People who have reached middle age or older are most likely to develop osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that often attacks the knees and hips, butthat can affect other joints, such as the fingers and spine, as well. The development of osteoarthritis, also called ‘wear and tear’ arthritis, can be linked to ageing, as well as other factors including previous injury to the hip, genetics, childhood disorders and obesity.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive disease that causes inflammation of the joints and leads to pain, stiffness and swelling. It causes the body’s immune system to attack the joints, causing the joints to deteriorate. Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to severe joint deterioration and can also cause damage to organs, such as the heart and lungs. Some of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can be joint pain, swelling and stiffness, energy loss, and loss of appetite. People with rheumatoid arthritis can have ‘flare-ups,’ in which symptoms worsen over a period of time which can span from days to months.
Post-traumatic Arthritis
Sometimes arthritis in the knee joint can be linked back to a previous injury. If the components of the joint have been damaged and the joint’s ability to function normally has been compromised, arthritis can develop in the joint.
Do you own a small business in Canada? The medical cost for your knee care is an eligible business deduction through a Health Spending Account.
What's in this article
