Knee Arthritis

Knee arthritis is called Osteoarthritis and it is one of the most common disabilities for both men and women. The disease or more commonly called OA happens when the knees have been involved in some sort of trauma through an accident or perhaps an infection. For a quick anatomy lesson , there is a fibrous tissue called the articular cartilage and this is found between the bones in your knees. When arthritis sets in, this tissue become less and less over time. As the protective tissue erodes away the space that was once protected by this tissue begins to narrow. The good news is that it is easily detectable via X Rays.

Unlike arthritis in general, there are some risk factors we can tell you about and maybe before it is too late you can take some preventative measures to safeguard yourself. One of the risk factors is heredity, this unfortunately is nothing you can do to change that. You would have to hope it skips a generation. Weight plays another role, the heavier you are the more extra pressure you are putting on your knees. If you feel you are at risk, ask your diet for a diet and exercise plan to help you.

Age and gender do make a difference . OA commonly strikes women more than men and women over 50. The only reason age would play a factor is in the power of healing. As you get older the chances of the condition healing itself decreases. Trauma as we mention is a very important cause in OA. Whether a sports injury or an accident, trauma is trauma. OA is very treatable, some methods may include modification of diet and exercise, medications, intra articular treatments and as a last resort surgery.