This is the second blog post we have in the series discussing knee pain. As we know, there are several causes of knee pain but in this blog post specifically, we will highlight osteoarthritis. As we discussed in the previous blog post, the knee is an incredibly important joint. It plays an enormous role in one of the main functions we do daily. Walking. Yet, many of us struggle with knee pain but think ‘Ah, it will go away eventually’ and then leave it without getting treated when many of the conditions associated with it can be treated and managed to prevent further trouble down the line.
We would like to encourage our patients not to neglect their pain as it is human nature for us to only appreciate something when we no longer have it. Health is wealth. And it should be treasured while it is there. One of the most common causes of knee pain that we see here at Chirolink is osteoarthritis.
An example would be Paul. At 67, he has accomplished a lot in his life. From professional rugby for seven years to owning his own construction business. Paul has always been fond of doing manual work. His life has consisted of relatively hard manual labour and his body had started to feel its effects. He arrived at Chirolink for his regular maintenance session and happened to mention that his knee was giving him a bit of trouble. It was showing signs of arthritis. His knee was stiff, and sore, particularly in the mornings and when walking too much. He’d noticed it making clicking and grinding sounds too. By catching it in its tracks, we have since been able to significantly improve Paul’s quality of life, and what a pleasure it was to be a part of his journey.
Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease is an exceptionally common condition. Due to the nature of it being a wear and tear disease, many of us will get some form of it at some point in our lives. It simply differs in location, time of onset, and severity and we must never forget that it is a condition that can be prevented and managed incredibly well with the right care. The start of osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage on each bony surface of the joint undergoes some wear down. As it is with anything, aging occurs but certain risk factors can contribute to the likelihood of it occurring.
So, what are certain factors that contribute to the development of knee OA?
- Age: Unfortunately, the risk increases with age, as the wear and tear on the joints accumulates over time.
- Joint injury: traumatic injuries, such as fractures or ligament tears, can damage the knee joint and increase the likelihood of developing OA later in life.
- Obesity: excess weight places additional stress on the knee joints, accelerating the breakdown of cartilage.
- Repetitive stress: occupations or sporting activities that involve repetitive stress on the knees, such as kneeling, squatting, or lifting heavy loads, can contribute to the development of OA.
To understand why we get the symptoms, we need to understand what is happening to the joint. The first part of osteoarthritis is the wearing away of the cartilage, the second part is when there is narrowing of the joint space between the bony surfaces and the third part is when the body attempts to stabilize the joint by placing calcified tissue into the area. Most of the pain that patients experience starts at the second stage going into the third as this is when the two bony surfaces of the joint start to rub against each other. Due to it being a very slow process, we often don’t know that it’s happening until it has progressed a fair amount into the ‘disease’ process.
Within the knee itself, osteoarthritis commonly affects the joint between the thigh bone (femur) and the leg bone (tibia) and more specifically on the inner side of this joint (medial aspect). It can commonly affect the joint between the kneecap (patella) and the thigh bone (femur) too.
What are the symptoms?
- Pain that persists within the joint or behind the knee cap.
- Stiffness and possible swelling.
- Reduced range of motion.
- Pain and stiffness that is worse in the morning or with prolonged periods of inactivity.
- Pain and stiffness that is relieved with heat and gentle activity.
- Possible joint instability (if it is in the second phase of the OA).
How do we treat this?
We do what we do best. As Chiropractors, we prioritize normal movement. Motion is lotion especially when it comes to osteoarthritis. This is not just with the knee and patella alone, but the full biomechanical chain where the movement of the full spine, hips, and ankles are assessed and adjusted where necessary. The patellar, quadriceps, and gluteal muscles are important for us to zone in on. With the wear and tear that occurs within this system, not just the joints are affected. The supporting muscles are too, and these have a direct impact. This is effective in the treatment but also prevention of osteoarthritis. Depending on the symptoms, diagnosis, and response to treatment, patients may be sent for further scans such as an X-ray or ultrasound when warranted. Essentially, we ensure there is optimal movement in the joints which also means happy muscles, happy biomechanics, and a happier life. It really can be that simple.
Knee OA can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, but with the right knowledge and management strategies, its effects can be reduced. At Chirolink we believe that knowledge is power, and we encourage our patients to take an active role in their recovery by understanding their condition, getting it treated, and doing all the right homework. We have seen it time and time again. The patients who persist are the ones who see the greatest results! Remember, early intervention is key. If you have any further questions regarding your knee pain, book with us at Chirolink and we can assist you with living a pain-free and better quality of life.
To find out more about knee pain, look at our next blog post.