Knee Arthritis

Knee Arthritis Treatment in New Braunfels, TX

Knee arthritis can make simple activities like walking, climbing stairs, exercising, or getting out of a chair increasingly uncomfortable. While arthritis is common, you don't have to assume that ongoing knee pain is simply something you have to live with.

At New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, our orthopedic specialists provide comprehensive knee arthritis treatment in New Braunfels, TX. We diagnose the type and severity of arthritis affecting your knee and develop an individualized treatment plan designed to reduce pain, improve mobility, and help you stay active.

Treatment may range from conservative options and joint injections to knee replacement for patients with advanced arthritis.

What Is Knee Arthritis?

Knee arthritis occurs when inflammation, cartilage deterioration, or another disease process affects the knee joint.

The knee contains cartilage that helps the bones move smoothly against one another. When this cartilage becomes damaged or deteriorates, patients may develop pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty moving the joint.

There are several types of arthritis that can affect the knee, and identifying the type of arthritis is important when determining the appropriate treatment.

What Are the Different Types of Knee Arthritis?

Although osteoarthritis is the most common form of knee arthritis, it isn't the only condition that can affect the joint.

Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a degenerative condition that develops as cartilage within the joint gradually deteriorates. It becomes more common with age but can also be influenced by previous injuries and other factors.

Symptoms often develop gradually and may worsen over time.

Post-Traumatic Arthritis

Post-traumatic arthritis can develop following an injury to the knee. A previous fracture, ligament injury, meniscus tear, or other significant knee injury can increase the risk of arthritis developing later.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that can cause inflammation within multiple joints, including the knees.

Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease and often requires medical management from a rheumatologist. Orthopedic treatment may become appropriate when significant joint damage or functional limitations develop.

What Does Knee Arthritis Feel Like?

Knee arthritis symptoms vary depending on the type and severity of the condition.

Common symptoms include:

• Aching or persistent knee pain
• Pain while walking
• Pain when climbing or descending stairs
• Morning stiffness
• Stiffness after sitting
• Swelling around the knee
• Reduced range of motion
• Difficulty bending or straightening the knee
• Grinding, clicking, or popping sensations
• Difficulty getting out of a chair
• Pain after exercise or prolonged activity
• Increasing difficulty completing everyday activities

Some patients experience symptoms primarily during activity, while more advanced arthritis may cause discomfort even while resting.

What Causes Knee Arthritis?

There isn't always one single cause of knee arthritis.

Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing arthritis in the knee, including:

• Age
• Previous knee injuries
• Family history
• Repetitive stress on the knee
• Previous meniscus or ligament damage
• Certain alignment abnormalities
• Excess stress placed on the knee joint
• Inflammatory or autoimmune conditions

A thorough orthopedic evaluation can help determine whether arthritis is responsible for your knee pain and which type may be present.

How Is Knee Arthritis Diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically begins with a discussion of your symptoms, medical history, previous knee injuries, and activities that make your symptoms better or worse.

Your orthopedic specialist may examine your knee for:

• Swelling and tenderness
• Range of motion
• Joint stability
• Strength
• Alignment
• Pain during specific movements
• Changes in the way you walk

X-rays are commonly used to evaluate arthritis and can reveal changes such as joint-space narrowing, bone spurs, or other signs of joint deterioration.

Additional testing may be recommended when necessary to evaluate other structures within the knee or determine whether another condition is contributing to your symptoms.

How Is Knee Arthritis Treated?

The best treatment for knee arthritis depends on the type and severity of arthritis, your symptoms, activity level, overall health, and how much the condition is affecting your daily life.

Treatment doesn't automatically mean surgery.

Many patients begin with conservative approaches intended to manage symptoms and maintain function. When arthritis becomes advanced and non-surgical treatments no longer provide adequate relief, surgical options may be considered.

Non-Surgical Knee Arthritis Treatment

For many patients, non-surgical knee arthritis treatment is the first step.

Depending on your diagnosis and symptoms, treatment may include:

Activity Modification

Changing activities that repeatedly aggravate the knee can help reduce stress on the joint while allowing you to remain active.

Exercise and Physical Therapy

Strengthening the muscles surrounding the knee can improve joint support, while flexibility and mobility exercises may help maintain function.

Medications

Over-the-counter or prescription medications may sometimes be recommended to manage arthritis-related pain and inflammation.

Knee Bracing

Certain patients may benefit from a knee brace designed to provide additional support or redistribute pressure within the joint.

Joint Injections

Knee injections may be considered for certain patients when other conservative treatments aren't providing enough relief.

Your orthopedic specialist can discuss available injection options and determine whether they are appropriate for your condition.

Can Knee Arthritis Be Treated Without Surgery?

Yes. Many patients with knee arthritis can manage their symptoms without surgery, particularly during earlier stages of the condition.

The goal of conservative treatment is generally to reduce pain, maintain mobility, improve function, and help you continue participating in everyday activities.

However, non-surgical treatments cannot reverse significant cartilage loss.

If arthritis progresses and conservative treatments are no longer helping enough, your orthopedic surgeon can discuss whether a surgical option may provide more meaningful relief.

What Is Bone-on-Bone Knee Arthritis?

Patients often hear the term “bone-on-bone knee arthritis” after having an X-ray.

This phrase generally refers to advanced cartilage loss that has caused significant narrowing of the space between the bones within the knee joint.

Bone-on-bone arthritis does not automatically mean that every patient needs immediate surgery. Treatment decisions should consider your symptoms, mobility, response to previous treatments, overall health, and how significantly the condition affects your quality of life.

For patients experiencing substantial pain and functional limitations despite conservative treatment, knee replacement may become an option.

What Are the Alternatives to Knee Replacement for Arthritis?

Many patients searching for knee arthritis treatment want to know whether they can avoid or delay knee replacement.

Depending on your condition, your physician may recommend exploring conservative treatments before surgery, including activity modification, physical therapy or exercise, medications, bracing, and joint injections.

These treatments may help manage symptoms, but they do not rebuild cartilage that has already been lost.

The goal is to determine whether conservative treatment is still providing meaningful relief or whether arthritis has progressed to a point where surgery should be considered.

When Is Knee Replacement Recommended for Arthritis?

Knee replacement may be considered when arthritis has become severe enough that pain and loss of function significantly interfere with daily life and appropriate non-surgical treatments are no longer providing sufficient relief.

You may want to discuss knee replacement with an orthopedic surgeon if you experience:

• Persistent or worsening knee pain
• Significant difficulty walking
• Difficulty climbing stairs
• Pain that interferes with sleep
• Increasing loss of mobility
• Difficulty working or exercising
• Pain that prevents you from participating in activities you enjoy
• Limited improvement from conservative treatments

Your orthopedic surgeon can evaluate your knee and explain whether continued conservative treatment or surgery is appropriate.

Knee Arthritis vs. Knee Osteoarthritis: What's the Difference?

The terms knee arthritis and knee osteoarthritis are sometimes used interchangeably, but they don't mean exactly the same thing.

Knee arthritis is a broad term describing several conditions that can cause inflammation, deterioration, or damage within the knee joint.

Knee osteoarthritis is a specific type of arthritis caused primarily by progressive deterioration of cartilage and other changes within the joint.

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of knee arthritis, but patients can also develop rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and other forms of joint disease.

Determining which type of arthritis you have helps your physician recommend the appropriate treatment.

When Should You See a Knee Arthritis Specialist?

Consider scheduling an orthopedic evaluation if:

• Your knee pain persists for several weeks
• Pain continues to return
• Your knee frequently becomes swollen
• You experience increasing stiffness
• Walking or climbing stairs is becoming difficult
• Knee pain limits exercise
• Your symptoms are progressively worsening
• You've tried home treatments without sufficient improvement
• You've previously been diagnosed with arthritis and your symptoms have changed

You don't need to wait until arthritis becomes severe to speak with an orthopedic specialist.

Why Choose New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine for Knee Arthritis?

At New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, our orthopedic specialists treat knee conditions ranging from early arthritis and sports-related injuries to advanced joint deterioration.

Our goal is to identify what's causing your symptoms and recommend treatment based on your individual needs.

For patients with knee arthritis, this may mean beginning with conservative treatment and monitoring symptoms over time. If arthritis progresses, our orthopedic surgeons can also evaluate whether knee replacement or another surgical treatment is appropriate.

This provides continuity of care throughout the different stages of knee arthritis.

Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Arthritis

What is the best treatment for knee arthritis?

There is no single best treatment for every patient. Treatment depends on the type and severity of arthritis, your symptoms, medical history, activity level, and previous treatments.

Can knee arthritis go away?

Most forms of chronic knee arthritis cannot be completely reversed. However, treatment can help manage pain, improve function, and maintain mobility.

Can knee arthritis be treated without surgery?

Yes. Many patients begin with non-surgical treatment such as activity modification, exercise or physical therapy, medications, bracing, or injections.

What are the first signs of arthritis in the knee?

Early symptoms may include pain after activity, morning stiffness, stiffness after sitting, swelling, or discomfort when climbing stairs.

What does severe knee arthritis feel like?

Advanced arthritis may cause persistent pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, swelling, difficulty walking, and pain that interferes with normal activities or sleep.

Does bone-on-bone arthritis always require knee replacement?

Not necessarily. Imaging is only one factor used to determine treatment. Your symptoms, function, quality of life, and response to conservative care are also important.

When should I see an orthopedic doctor for knee arthritis?

Consider an orthopedic evaluation when knee pain or stiffness persists, worsens, repeatedly returns, or begins interfering with everyday activities.

Schedule a Knee Arthritis Evaluation in New Braunfels, TX

If knee pain or stiffness is keeping you from enjoying your normal activities, an orthopedic evaluation can help determine whether arthritis is responsible and what treatment options may be available.

At New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, our orthopedic specialists provide knee arthritis treatment in New Braunfels, TX, ranging from conservative care to surgical treatment for advanced arthritis.

Call 830-341-1386 or schedule an appointment online to take the next step toward improving your knee pain and mobility.

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