Are you struggling with debilitating knee joint pain and stiffness that could indicate osteoarthritis (OA)? Don't ignore the warning signs. Whether you're dealing with tricompartmental arthritis affecting all three knee compartments, isolated patellofemoral OA behind the kneecap, or painful bone on bone arthritis in one area like the medial or lateral compartment, there are solutions to get you back on your feet. As a leading medical equipment provider specializing in premier OA knee braces, we're here to guide you through identifying the symptoms and finding effective treatment.
What is Osteoarthritis of the Knee?
Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease (DJD), occurs when the protective cartilage cushioning your knee joint gradually deteriorates. With less shock-absorbing cartilage, the bones start grinding together (bone on bone), leading to inflammation, pain, and joint stiffness. While OA can't be reversed, there are excellent treatment options to relieve symptoms and delay its progression.
Could it Be Knee Osteoarthritis? Self-Diagnosis Tips
While a definitive OA diagnosis requires evaluation by a medical professional, there are some telltale signs you can watch for according to leading health authorities:
- Monitor Knee Pain Patterns
OA often causes knee pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest, according to the Mayo Clinic.[1] Noting if pain occurs after prolonged sitting or with your first steps after resting can indicate osteoarthritis.
- Assess Knee Stiffness
Stiffness in the knee lasting less than 30 minutes after inactivity is a common symptom of osteoarthritis.[2]
- Check for Swelling
Visually inspect and feel for swelling around the knee joint, which can signify OA according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.[3]
- Observe Gait Changes
OA can cause limping or favoring the affected knee while walking.[4]
- Evaluate Joint Instability
Feeling like your knee might "give way" or experiencing locking/catching during movement could mean cartilage or ligament damage related to OA.[3]
- Note Crepitus
Listen for grinding, cracking or popping noises (crepitus) when bending your knee - a sign of cartilage degeneration in OA according to Mayo Clinic.[1]
If you notice a combination of these osteoarthritis knee symptoms, it's advisable to follow up with your doctor for a comprehensive examination and appropriate imaging tests like x-rays or MRI to confirm a diagnosis, as recommended.[4]
Non-Surgical Knee OA Treatments
In the early or moderate stages of knee osteoarthritis, conservative non-surgical treatments are typically recommended first to help manage joint pain and swelling. Effective options may include:
Physical Therapy
Working with a licensed PT, you'll perform targeted strengthening and flexibility exercises designed for arthritic knees. This supports the joint while improving range of motion.
Bracing
An unloader knee brace like our Crossfire OA knee brace and Crossfire OA 2.0 Dynamic Unloader are designed to shift weight away from the arthritic bone on bone areas, easing painful bone grinding.
Viscosupplementation
Injections of gel-like substances like Synvisc can supplement depleted synovial fluid and reduce bone-on-bone friction in the joint.
Medications
Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce knee swelling and relieve arthritis pain temporarily.
Exercises To Help Alleviate Knee Pain
Strengthening the muscle groups around the knee can help to place the knee in better alignment to offload some of the stress. A great video to see these can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikt6NME0k9E
Weight Loss
Losing excess pounds decreases the load and pressure on weight-bearing knee joints.
When is Knee Replacement Surgery Needed for Osteoarthritis?
If non-surgical treatment methods fail to provide sufficient pain relief from advanced tricompartmental OA involving all joint areas or severe bone-on-bone arthritis in multiple compartments, knee replacement surgery may be recommended. With a partial knee replacement, only the damaged compartment is resurfaced. In cases of extreme arthritis throughout the entire knee, a total knee replacement with implants may be necessary.
However, many patients are able to delay or avoid knee replacement surgery for years with the proper management plan, which includes bracing for knee arthritis.
How Bracing Provides Effective OA Knee Pain Relief
Bracing can help alleviate the bone-on-bone pain by creating a gap between the damaged portion of the knee. The Bioskin Crossfire OA 2.0 Dynamic Unloader and Crossfire OA achieves this through a revolutionary tensegrity approach. Unlike other styles of OA bracing which continuously pushes on the side of the knee to offload the force, the OA Spiral utilizes a rigid strap that wraps around the leg and helps to align the lower leg, directing the force to the healthy portion of the knee. This technology only engages the structure of the brace while the user is standing or walking. This ensures maximum comfort during active use and while at rest.
By taking harmful pressure off the bone-on-bone areas, the knee is protected from further degeneration while controlling inflammation and pain. This helps facilitate remaining cartilage regeneration and can provide lasting relief from knee joint pain, swelling and stiffness.
With an effective osteoarthritis knee brace, many patients are able to delay or avoid more invasive solutions like injections or knee replacement surgery for years while staying active. However, every patient's experience with knee OA is unique, so consistent follow-up care with your physician is essential.
FAQ About Knee Osteoarthritis and Treatment
Q: I have crepitus and stiffness but no knee swelling. Could it still be OA?
A: Absolutely. Crepitus (creaking/grinding noises) and stiffness, especially after inactivity, are common signs of arthritic knees. Swelling may be present in some OA patients but not all.
Q: What causes bone on bone knee pain and grinding?
A: The unrelenting friction created when the knee bones make contact and grind together due to cartilage degeneration leads to the deterioration and inflammatory pain associated with bone-on-bone arthritis.
Q: My OA only seems to affect one side of my knee. Can bracing still help?
A: Yes, our knee braces are specially designed to treat unicompartmental OA by offloading weight from the isolated bone on bone arthritic area while supporting the healthy cartilage areas.
Q: How long can a quality OA knee brace effectively delay knee replacement surgery?
A: Every patient is different, but we've had many customers use our braces to manage their bone on bone knee osteoarthritis symptoms and postpone knee replacement for 5-10 years by combining bracing with other conservative treatments.
Q: Are knee braces covered by insurance for arthritic conditions like tricompartmental OA?
A: Many insurance plans provide coverage for medical knee braces when prescribed to treat chronic OA and other qualifying conditions. Our staff works with most major providers to ensure proper documentation and authorization.
Get Back on Track with the Right Osteoarthritis Knee Brace
If you're tired of bone-on-bone knee grinding restricting your lifestyle, our medical-grade osteoarthritis knee braces can provide targeted knee joint pain relief while preserving mobility. Don't let tricompartmental OA, bone-on-bone arthritis, or any other form of debilitating degenerative knee osteoarthritis hold you back.