What Are The Four Stages Of Knee Arthritis? Know About The Best Treatment Approaches

Common symptoms of knee arthritis include joint pain, reduced movement, and difficulty walking. Find out how you can alleviate these symptoms with proper medical check-up and care, and possibly even a surgery.

Everything to know about knee arthritis: A painful health condition, knee arthritis has become common among people across age groups, impacting their mobility and range of motion. As such, it is important to be more aware about this problem, including the four stages of knee arthritis and how they can be managed. Doctors say it is also imperative to seek timely intervention to keep the mobility intact. Dr Aashish Arbat, an orthopedic and joint replacement surgeon at Jehangir Multispeciality Hospitals, Pune says that knee arthritis happens when the cartilage in the knee joint wears down over time. It can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness.

According to the doctor, the main types of knee arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis, which can be caused by ageing, any kind of previous injury, or repetitive stress on the joint. Obesity, family history, and age are among the risk factors. Common symptoms of knee arthritis are joint pain, reduced movement, and difficulty walking.

Stages Of Knee Arthritis

Dr Arbat says it is essential to understand the stages of knee arthritis.

• Stage 1 (Minor): During this early stage, the cartilage in the knee begins to wear. There is a slight discomfort after a long walk or doing any kind of physical activity.
• Stage 2 (Mild): Patients may start to feel pain during long periods of walking or standing, and stiffness can occur. The joint cartilage continues to become thin, and bone spurs become more noticeable. There may also be swelling in the joint, making it difficult to conduct daily activities.
• Stage 3 (Moderate): The cartilage is now severely damaged. Patients often feel a lot of discomfort during daily activities due to joint stiffness. Pain becomes more frequent, there is less movement, and inflammation also increases.
• Stage 4 (Severe): During this stage, patients tend to experience severe pain, inflammation, and limited mobility. Simple activities like walking or standing can become challenging for most people. During the advanced stage, cartilage is completely worn away. It is advised to consult any expert without further delay.

Treatment For Knee Arthritis

Here are some important points that the doctor wants you to know:

1. It is important to reach out to an expert, who can prescribe medications to help manage the symptoms, and to ease pain.
2. Weight loss and low-impact exercises such as swimming or cycling can reduce stress on the knee joint.
3. Eat a well-balanced diet consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and avoid processed foods.
4. Physical therapy can strengthen the muscles around the knee, and offer support to improve joint function and mobility.
5. Do not engage in any strenuous activity without the doctor's knowledge. It is essential to do the exercises as recommended by an expert and not go overboard.
6. Support devices like knee braces can help reduce pressure on the joint. Consult a doctor before using the knee braces.
7. Surgery for advanced arthritis and procedures like partial or total knee replacement may be considered. They can relieve pain and improve joint function.
8. The procedure also enhances the overall quality of life, and restores mobility, allowing patients to walk, climb stairs, and perform daily activities with ease.