© 2018 OA Knee Pain. All Rights Reserved.
About Us
Our focus is knee osteoarthritis
Due to an increasing number of people suffering with knee pain and being diagnosed with osteoarthritis, a network of expert organisations has teamed up to establish OA Knee Pain. Our aim is to provide help and guidance along with all the information you may need about the condition to help you understand diagnosis, treatment options and management.
Associations include:
- Arthritis Solutions
- Osteotomy Expert Group
- Welsh Bone (Orthopaedic Surgeons in Wales)
- KNEEguru
- TALKhealth
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease causing joints to wear down
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease also commonly referred to as arthrosis, osteoarthrosis or OA. The condition is caused by the protective fluid in the joint losing its shock absorbing abilities resulting in the bones rubbing against each other and the cartilage that protects the ends of the bones wearing down. Sufferers often experience pain, swelling and problems with mobility.
- Stage 1: (Doubtful) Minimum disruption but sufferers experience a 10% loss of cartilage.
- Stage 2 (Mild): Narrowing of the joint space with the cartilage beginning to breakdown and the occurrence of osteophytes (a bony projection associated with the degeneration of cartilage at joints).
- Stage 3 (Moderate): Moderate joint-space reduction where the gaps in the cartilage can expand until they reach the bone.
- Stage 4 (Severe): The joint-space is greatly reduced with around 60% loss of cartilage and large osteophytes.
Any joint in the body can be affected by OA but the most common damage is found in the knees, hips, lower back, neck, fingers and toes.
What can be done?
Treatment will be determined by the joint affected and its severity
Supporting Charities
There are a range of organisations offering easy access to information about your condition
Arthritis Care is a UK registered charity that offers a range of support and services to help
people manage arthritis and connect with other people who share a similar
experience. The charity can offer support in person, online or on the phone and can put those living with arthritis in contact with other sufferers.
Arthritis Research UK invests in breakthrough treatments, provides information and vital support for everyone affected by arthritis. Its work has already uncovered breakthrough treatments, and it is dedicated to uncovering new ideas to help people push back the ways arthritis limits their lives.
OA Knee Pain Social Board
Bringing you the latest news, research and treatment breakthroughs from the world of osteoarthritis
Visit our blog
Did you know there are different stages of Osteoarthritis? You can read about each stage here: Stages of Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Joint pain – do’s & don’ts If the knee, the hip or other joints are troubling you then here are a few “Do’s and don’ts” you should consider which can influence the progression of your osteoarthritis. Do: Visit the doctor if you have joint pain. Don’t: Keep suffering silently. Do: Work out on a regular basis. Don’t: Slacken off and avoid activity. Do: Lead a health-conscious lifestyle Don’t: Smoke and excessively consume alcohol Do: Calorie conscious and joint-friendly nutrition (little meat and animal fat, a lot of fruit, vegetables, vegetable oil and salt-water fish), reduce overweight Don’t: Overeat on sweats and animal fat, gain weight Do: Wear well-fitting shoes with low heels, cushioning soles and insoles if needed Don’t: High heels, too tight or pointed shoes with thin soles or slanting heels Do: Use ergonomic tools and household aids, trolleys and a walking aid Don’t: Be too proud to use medical devices
We aim to bring our followers expert information and advice so they are informed about their options surrounding their knee OA. Read about the single protein injection that could replace the need for knee surgery for OA sufferers.
What non-surgical options exist for the management of osteoarthritis? The pain of osteoarthritis of the knee can be almost unbearable, and as one of the most common forms of joint problems, it affects a huge number of patients every year. Eventually, when the knee joint becomes severely damaged, the only real solution is surgery, but there are plenty of options available to sufferers before reaching that point. Non-surgical solutions to knee pain Lose Weight: Being overweight, even only slightly, puts additional stress on the structures of the knee which causes increased levels of pain. Lessening the load on the knee can be extremely helpful. Gels and creams: From capsaicin creams, derived from the capsicum pepper plant, to gels containing ibuprofen, topical applications can provide good relief from pain for many sufferers. Painkillers: From paracetamol through ibuprofen, naproxen and opioids, there are plenty of options, so if you don't achieve success with one regime it's important to keep trying until you find a solution that works for you. Injections: Corticosteroid injections are usually a first line of defence before surgery, although the results are variable. Hyaluronic Acid Injection: A new treatment currently undergoing tests (currently inconclusive), but some people report good results from the treatment. The theory is that the hyaluronic acid provides fluidity to the damaged cartilage, allowing the bones of the knee joint to pass smoothly over the structures without snagging, thus relieving pain. With the life of a knee replacement reckoned to be around ten years, surgeons are understandably reluctant to perform knee surgery on younger patients who will need further surgery in the following years, which is leading to a greater uptake of conservative treatments to hold the disease at bay for as long as possible.
Discover the effects of knee osteoarthritis around the world Osteoarthritis is generally believed to be the biggest cause of disability in older adults. As such, it affects millions of people and costs governments billions of pounds in treatments. Worldwide, an estimated 10%-15% of all adults aged 60 and over have some degree of osteoarthritis (often abbreviated to OA). In Britain, more than 8 million people - 33% of people aged over 45 years, plus 49% of women and 42% of men aged 75 and over - have been treated for OA. An estimated 4.7 million of those affected have arthritis of the knee. Let’s take a look at the facts Osteoarthritis is a very common condition which causes joints to become stiff and painful. It can affect all the joints in the body but is most likely to develop in the knees, hips and in the hands. Symptoms include swelling, redness, pain and stiffness in the affected joint, which usually lead to reduced movement and, in the worst cases, the inability to carry out everyday tasks. In the case of OA of the knee and hip, for instance, it can lead to difficulty in walking. It is not known what causes OA, but certain factors, such as being overweight, overuse and injury and just plain old getting older, are known to increase your likelihood of developing it. Genetic factors also play a part - a family history of OA increases your chance of getting it yourself. Diagnosis of OA usually includes an examination of the affected joints, plus questioning about symptoms and other factors. Your doctor will probably be able to diagnose the condition without any invasive tests, depending on your answers to certain questions. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for OA, but it can be treated and may improve over time. Most treatments concentrate on easing the symptoms.
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Having the right cycling equipment for the job We’ve mentioned before how cycling is a great activity for those suffering from knee osteoarthritis as there is less impact on the joint and you get fitter, which in turn means losing weight and reducing the load further on the affected knee. For the perfect bike trip however, you will need to prepare well and have the right equipment to enjoy the open road. Start with preparing your bike Check your lights are fitted correctly and working.Check your brakes are working correctly and will be able to stop you at speed (if you need it)Oil the chain and ensure it runs smoothly on all gears. Check your tyres are inflated to the desired pressure (as indicated on the tyre). You should also take an air pump, a repair kit and tools as well as a secure lock with you.Take ample supplies with you including drinks, high energy food and a first aid kit. What clothing should I wear? As a cyclist, you should be wearing comfortable, weatherproof clothing – multi-layer style so you can add or remove clothing if you are too cold / too hot.If you’re riding in poor light, either at the start or the end of the day then you need to wear something bright so that other road users can see you and more importantly so that you stay on the right side of the law (the same applies to lighting). Choosing your route It is important to plan your trip in advance to ensure that it is suitable, given your level of cycling proficiency, fitness and equipment. Start off with a short route and then you can build up gradually to a longer route. There are some great apps available which allow you to search for cycle routes and then track your progress. For people suffering with OA of their knees, we would recommend avoiding very steep inclines and steep slopes Happy Cycling!
Discover the background of osteoarthritis treatment Osteoarthritis is one of the biggest causes of pain and misery in adults worldwide, affecting millions of mainly older people across the globe and costing governments and health providers billions of pounds. Overall, the condition - which is often abbreviated to OA - is estimated to affect more than 630 million people globally. More women than men are affected, and it is more likely to be seen in people over the age of 60 (though conditions can begin to materialise from 40 onwards). In the UK, around eight million adults have OA - nearly five million of whom have arthritis of the knee. What do the history books tell us? The word osteoarthritis was first used in the late 19th century, when modern medicine was beginning to be developed as a more advanced science; however, we know that the various forms of arthritis have been around for much, much longer. Evidence from literature, historical accounts, visual representations in books and paintings, analysis of skeletal remains of various ages and new understandings of the causes of arthritis mean we know that people have been suffering from the condition for as long as humans have been around.