Osteoarthritis of the knee is a condition where the cartilage in the knee joint breaks down, causing bones to rub together.
Understanding Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that commonly affects the knees. It’s important to understand what happens within the knee joint when OA develops. According to our reference, the core problem is the breakdown of cartilage.
Cartilage's Role
Cartilage acts as a cushion between the bones in your knee, allowing for smooth movement. When this cartilage deteriorates, the following occurs:
- Bone-on-Bone Contact: Without cartilage, the bones rub directly against each other.
- Pain: The friction from bone-on-bone contact leads to pain.
- Stiffness: The knee joint becomes stiff, limiting its range of motion.
- Swelling: Inflammation in the joint can cause swelling.
Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis
Here's a quick recap of the key symptoms:
- Pain in the knee
- Stiffness, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity
- Swelling around the knee joint
