Posted by Seri Mediclinic Silibin Branch
Understanding Knee Arthritis: When Movement Becomes Painful
Knee arthritis is the inflammation and breakdown of the knee joint, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility that can significantly impact your daily life. This condition occurs when the smooth cartilage that cushions your knee bones wears away, causing the bones to rub against each other painfully. At our Silibin branch, we specialize in diagnosing and treating all types of knee arthritis to help you maintain an active, comfortable lifestyle.
Types of Knee Arthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA): The most common type, often called “wear-and-tear” arthritis. This degenerative condition gradually wears down cartilage over time, typically affecting people over 50 years old.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): An autoimmune disease where your body’s immune system attacks the joint lining, causing inflammation and stiffness. This type often affects both knees simultaneously.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis: Develops after a knee injury like a fracture or torn ligament. The initial injury accelerates cartilage breakdown, potentially causing arthritis years later.
Crystal Arthritis (Gout and Pseudogout): Caused by crystal buildup in the joint – uric acid crystals in gout, or calcium crystals in pseudogout.
Common Symptoms to Watch For
Knee arthritis symptoms typically develop gradually and worsen over time:
Pain: Often starts mild and becomes worse with activity, after sitting for long periods, or upon waking in the morning.
Stiffness and Swelling: Your knee may feel stiff and appear swollen, making it difficult to bend or straighten fully.
Grinding or Clicking: You may hear or feel creaking, clicking, or grinding sensations when moving your knee.
Weakness or Instability: Your knee may feel weak or give way unexpectedly under your weight.
Reduced Movement: Decreased ability to move your knee freely, affecting walking, climbing stairs, or getting up from chairs.
Who’s at Risk for Knee Arthritis?
Several factors increase your likelihood of developing knee arthritis:
Age: Risk increases significantly after age 50, particularly for osteoarthritis.
Weight: Extra weight puts additional stress on knee joints, accelerating cartilage breakdown.
Family History: Genetics can increase your susceptibility to developing arthritis.
Comprehensive Treatment Options
While arthritis cannot be cured, effective treatments can manage symptoms and slow progression:
Non-Surgical Treatments
Physical Therapy: Customized exercise programs to strengthen muscles supporting your knee and improve flexibility.
Low-Impact Exercise: Swimming, cycling, and walking programs that maintain fitness without stressing joints.
Weight Management: Professional guidance to reduce joint stress through healthy weight loss when appropriate.
Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other pain management options tailored to your needs.
Joint Injections: Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief.
Supportive Devices: Braces, knee supports, or walking aids to reduce joint stress and improve stability.
Surgical Options
When conservative treatments aren’t effective, we coordinate surgical care:
Arthroscopy: Minimally invasive procedure to remove damaged tissue and debris from the joint.
Partial Knee Replacement: Replacing only the damaged portion of the knee joint.
Total Knee Replacement: Complete joint replacement for severe arthritis affecting the entire knee.
Lifestyle Management Strategies We Teach
Joint Protection: Techniques to reduce stress on your knees during daily activities.
Home Exercise Programs: Safe, effective exercises you can perform to maintain knee function.
Activity Modification: Adapting your favorite activities to reduce knee strain while staying active.
Pain Management: Natural and medical approaches to controlling arthritis pain effectively.
Nutrition Guidance: Anti-inflammatory dietary recommendations to support joint health.
When to Seek Professional Help
Contact our Silibin clinic if you experience:
- Persistent knee pain lasting more than a few days
- Swelling that doesn’t improve with rest and ice
- Stiffness that interferes with daily activities
- Grinding or clicking sensations in your knee
- Weakness or instability when walking
- Difficulty climbing stairs or getting up from chairs
Comprehensive Panel Coverage
AIA, PMcare & Mi Care Benefits:
- Complete knee arthritis consultations and assessments
- Diagnostic imaging including X-rays and MRI referrals
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation services
- Medication management and joint injection treatments
- Specialist orthopedic referrals when surgical options are needed
- Long-term arthritis management and monitoring
Advanced Care Coordination
Our Silibin team coordinates comprehensive arthritis care including:
Multidisciplinary Approach: Working with physiotherapists, nutritionists, and specialists as needed.
Pain Management: Comprehensive strategies beyond medication for effective symptom control.
Surgical Coordination: Seamless referrals to trusted orthopedic surgeons when conservative treatment isn’t sufficient.
Long-term Monitoring: Regular follow-ups to adjust treatments and monitor disease progression.
Living Well with Knee Arthritis
Arthritis doesn’t have to limit your lifestyle. With proper diagnosis, treatment, and management, most people with knee arthritis can:
- Maintain active lifestyles with appropriate modifications
- Effectively control pain and stiffness
- Prevent or slow further joint damage
- Improve overall quality of life and mobility
Prevention and Early Intervention
Maintain Healthy Weight: Reducing stress on knee joints through weight management.
Stay Active: Regular low-impact exercise to keep joints mobile and muscles strong.
Protect Your Knees: Using proper techniques during sports and avoiding repetitive stress.
Address Injuries Promptly: Getting proper treatment for knee injuries to prevent post-traumatic arthritis.
Your Knee Health Partners
Don’t let knee pain and stiffness limit your activities or quality of life. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can significantly slow arthritis progression and keep you moving comfortably.
Our experienced Silibin team combines the latest treatment approaches with compassionate care to help you manage arthritis effectively and maintain your independence.
Take the First Step Toward Pain Relief
Whether you’re experiencing early symptoms or dealing with advanced arthritis, we’re here to help you find relief and improve your knee function.
Schedule your comprehensive knee arthritis assessment at our Silibin clinic today and start your journey toward better joint health.
About Seri Mediclinic
Seri Mediclinic provides comprehensive knee arthritis care at our Silibin branch. Our experienced team offers complete diagnosis, treatment, and management services with full AIA, PMcare, and Mi Care panel support to help you maintain active, pain-free living.
Keywords: knee arthritis treatment, osteoarthritis care, joint pain management, Silibin arthritis specialists, knee replacement consultation, panel coverage