Innovative Treatment and Care for Osteoarthritis Conditions
At Vascular & Interventional Specialists, we provide innovative care and interventional radiological treatment for knee osteoarthritis patients in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Iowa. We know knee osteoarthritis can significantly affect your quality of life, so we strive to provide leading-edge solutions to help improve your mobility without reconstructive surgery. Contact us to schedule an appointment and get on the road to recovery today.
What is Knee Osteoarthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis is a type of joint disease that occurs when the cartilage in the knee joint wears down over time, leading to pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Cartilage is a strong, flexible tissue that cushions joints and helps them move smoothly. When it wears down, the bones in the joint can rub against each other, causing pain, swelling, and difficulty moving.
Causes and Risk Factors of Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is primarily caused by the gradual wear and tear of the knee joint over time. However, certain factors can increase the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis, including:
- Age: As people age, the cartilage in their joints becomes less flexible, weaker, and more prone to damage and wear.
- Gender: Women are more likely to develop knee osteoarthritis than men.
- Sedentary lifestyle: Being overweight or obese puts extra pressure on the knees, and lack of physical activity can weaken the muscles and ligaments supporting the knee joint.
- Joint injury: Previous knee injuries or surgeries can damage the cartilage and increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
- Genetics: People with a family history of knee osteoarthritis are more likely to develop the condition.
- Occupation: People with jobs that require frequent kneeling, squatting, or lifting heavy weights are at a higher risk of developing knee osteoarthritis.
Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and Paget's disease, can increase the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis.
Signs and Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis
The symptoms of knee osteoarthritis can vary from person to person, but they usually include:
- Pain and stiffness in the knee joint, especially after physical activity or prolonged sitting or standing
- Swelling and inflammation in the knee joint
- Limited range of motion or difficulty moving the knee joint
- A popping or cracking sound when moving the knee joint
- Weakness or instability in the knee joint
- Bone spurs or bumps around the knee joint
Some people may attribute the symptoms of osteoarthritis to the natural symptoms of aging, but without proper care, these symptoms can develop into more serious conditions. Your specialist at VIS can help diagnose and treat your Knee Osteoarthritis symptoms.
Diagnosis of Knee Osteoarthritis
To diagnose knee osteoarthritis, we can perform a physical exam and order imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRI, to assess the damage to the joint. Through advanced interventional radiology imaging, we can get an advanced look into the deterioration of the knee.
Treatment and Prevention of Knee Osteoarthritis
Preventing knee osteoarthritis is not always possible, but certain lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of developing the condition, such as maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular exercise, and avoiding activities that put excessive strain on the knees.
At Vascular & Interventional Specialists, we offer innovative interventional radiology procedures and leading-edge treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee. These therapies aim to control pain and inflammation, improve mobility and function, and are minimally invasive.