Knee Arthritis Symptoms in Vacaville

In knee arthritis in Vacaville, there are two common types: osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The most common type is OA and it is a progressive condition since the cartilage in the knee joint starts to wear away. This type of arthritis can happen after midlife.

RA is an inflammatory condition that can happen at any age. This can affect the whole body and even involve other joints and additional symptoms. It is also classified as an autoimmune disease.

A knee injury can cause the development of arthritis. Knee fracture, ligament injury, or torn meniscus can cause the development of post-traumatic arthritis. The symptoms can appear after several years.

Differences between OA & RA in Vacaville

OA and RA have similar symptoms but there are also some key differences. Each type can be recognized through the following:

1. Gradual increase in pain. Arthritis pain starts off slow but there are cases where it can suddenly appear.
   • The pain is most noticeable in the morning or after being inactive for a while. Your knees start to get hurt when you are kneeling, standing up from a sitting position, or climbing up the stairs. Even just a simple walk can make your knees hurt.
   • Swelling or tenderness. Knee arthritis can sometimes cause inflammation.
   • With OA, this can be:
     • Hard swelling caused by bone spurs formation.
     • Soft swelling, as inflammation can cause buildup of extra fluid around the joint.
     • A long period of activity can make the swelling more noticeable especially when you first wake up in the morning.
2. Buckling and locking. As time goes by, joint damage can make the knee structure to become unstable. This can cause it to buckle or give way.
3. • RA can damage the tendons, which connect the muscle to the bone. Having such damage can make the knees become unstable.
   • As the cartilage starts to erode, bone spurs can develop and will even make the bones rub together. This will produce a bumpy surface that will make the joint stick or lock up, making it difficult to bend or straighten out.
4. Cracking or popping sounds. Whenever you bend or straighten your knee, you will feel a grinding sensation or hear cracking or popping sounds. This is called crepitus.
   • These symptoms will start appearing once some of the cartilages have been lost. OA and RA are known to cause cartilage damage.
   • Once the cartilage has been damaged, bone spurs and rough surfaces will start to develop. Moving your joints will make the bones rub against each other, thus causing pain in the process.
5. Poor range of motion. OA of the knee can change the structures of your bone and cartilage, which makes it difficult for your knee joints to move smoothly. It will make the knee painful when you walk, stand up, and carry out your daily movements.
6. Loss of joint space. Some of the effects of arthritis on the knee are not obvious. A knee X-ray can help detect internal damage.
   • Cartilage occupies the space around the bones since that is the part where it cushions the joint. As the cartilage starts to get damaged and wears away, it could create a space around the bones.
7. Deformities of the knee. The appearance of the knee will be altered during a flare and as damage progresses.
   • In RA, redness and swelling can happen during a flare. In the long term, persistent inflammation can make the damage to the cartilage and tendons become permanent.
   • With OA, the muscles around the knee starts to weaken, which will result in a sunken appearance. The knees will start pointing toward each other or bend outward.

So, if you need help for your knee arthritis or just knee pain in general, then seek out some help from Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine in Vacaville, CA. Just dial (707) 474-5688 and set up an appointment today.