Knee Arthritis Treatment

Person grabbing knee in pain while sitting on bed in bedroom

Knee Arthritis Treatment in Hoover and Birmingham, Alabama

The knee is a complex joint that supports a wide range of movements. Additionally, it helps provide stability and bears the body’s weight when standing. With constant use, the components inside the knee can break down over time, causing painful symptoms and limiting mobility. When this occurs, it’s referred to as knee arthritis.

Southlake Orthopaedics understands the debilitating effects knee arthritis can have on a person’s quality of life and offers comprehensive care and treatment. Located in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, AL, and serving patients throughout central Alabama, our team is dedicated to helping patients with arthritis in their knees achieve less pain, more living. Discover more about the knee arthritis treatment and care provided by our board-certified orthopedic and sports medicine specialists.

What Is Knee Arthritis?

Knee arthritis is categorized as inflammation and deterioration of the cartilage in the knee joint. Cartilage is a key component of the knee joint, serving as a cushion and enabling the knee to move smoothly. Once the cartilage in the knee wears away, the space between the bones inside the knee joint narrows. Eventually, the narrowing can progress to the point at which bones rub against one another, creating a high level of discomfort.

Different types of arthritis can affect the knee joint, including:

Osteoarthritis of the Knee

The most common type of arthritis in the knee, osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that occurs when the cartilage in the knee wears away. This condition is most often associated with aging and gradually worsens over time.

Chart showing normal knee on left side and arthritic knee on right side
Illustration comparing normal knee on left and rheumatoid arthritis knee on right

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Knee

This type of arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack the joints. A person with rheumatoid arthritis of the knee experiences inflammation of the synovial membrane. The condition is symmetrical, meaning it usually affects the same joint on both sides of the body.

Post-Traumatic Knee Arthritis

Injuries or trauma to the knee can cause arthritis to develop, which is known as post-traumatic knee arthritis. After a person sustains an injury to their knee, the ligaments in the joint become less stable over time, which can cause the cartilage inside the knee to break down.

Patient in hospital bed with knee bandage on one leg and knee brace on other leg

Knee Arthritis Symptoms

Knee arthritis can make it difficult to perform routine movements, such as walking, standing, running, and jumping, because of the symptoms associated with the disease. Knee arthritis symptoms include:

  • Pain that worsens with certain movements.
  • Pain when the knee is at rest. 
  • Knee stiffness, especially after sitting or lying down for a long time. 
  • Difficulty bending and straightening the knee. 
  • A cracking, crunching, clicking, or snapping sound when moving the knee. 
  • Swelling that’s more noticeable after a long period of inactivity, such as first waking up in the morning.
  • Catching and locking of the knee, making it difficult to move smoothly.
  • Weakness in the knee and the surrounding muscles due to reduced activity.

Knee Arthritis Treatment at Southlake Orthopaedics

Southlake Orthopaedics provides comprehensive and personalized care to people dealing with knee arthritis. Treatment often depends on the type of arthritis, how advanced the disease is, and other factors, including the patient’s desired outcome. Treatment options for knee arthritis may include medication, injections, physical therapy, activity modification, and bracing.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to knee arthritis. The physicians at Southlake Orthopaedics take a personalized approach when providing knee arthritis care and offer guidance through every step of the treatment and recovery process, including testingsurgery, and rehabilitation.

Our knee specialists are board-certified and possess the knowledge, skills, and expertise to treat a wide range of orthopedic conditions impacting the knee. Our highly trained orthopedic knee specialists include:

Schedule an Appointment With a Knee Specialist Today

If you are experiencing joint pain caused by arthritis in the knee, you might think your options are limited. Southlake Orthopaedics is here to help you experience less pain, more living. Our skilled orthopedic specialists in Hoover or Birmingham-Grandview, AL, provide care for various knee conditions, including arthritis. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services available for patients throughout central Alabama.