What is Knee Arthritis? (Symptoms and Treatments Explained)

What is knee arthritis? In this video, consultant knee surgeon Sam McElroy from The Chiltern Hospital shares important information about the causes of knee arthritis, its symptoms, treatments, and recovery from knee replacement surgery. --- LINKS --- - For more information on knee arthritis - https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/treatments/knee-arthritis - To search for a consultant near you - https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/find-an-appointment - To see how the Chiltern Hospital can help you with your knee arthritis - https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/hospitals/the-chiltern-hospital/private-knee-surgery-great-missenden --- CHAPTERS --- 00:00 - 00:35 Introduction 00:35 - 01:22 What is knee arthritis? 01:22 - 02:15 Symptoms of knee arthritis 02:15 - 03:05 Knee arthritis treatments 03:05 - 03:42 Knee replacement surgery 03:42 - 05:20 Recovery from knee replacement surgery 05:20 - 06:19 Outro What is knee arthritis? The ends of the three bones that make up your knee, the femur, the tibia, and the patella are all aligned with beautifully smooth articular cartilage which means the move smoothly. Any damage to the beautifully smooth cartilage in your knee is arthritis. The arthritis tends to be progressive with the passage of time as the smooth surface wears out just like the shock absorber in your car, which results in increasing pain in the knee. What causes knee arthritis? Causes of knee arthritis can be varied. There can be inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis. Trauma to the knee or infection in the knee during a patient's life can cause knee arthritis. In some patients there is a genetic, but the majority of patients have arthritis with no obvious cause. How is knee arthritis treated? Early knee arthritis is usually treated non-operatively. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory tablets such as ibuprofen used initially intermittently such as before a round of golf. Eventually, in a number of patients, non-operative treatment will fail due to progression of their arthritis. At this point, patients have to consider investing in joint replacement surgery to restore their quality of life. Knee replacement, either partial or total involves removing the damaged surface of the knee and replacing it with an implant made of metal and plastic. This removes pain and restores range of movement and function. How long does it take to recover from knee replacement surgery? By a year after knee replacement surgery, most patients' walking distance is unlimited. They can play non-competitive sports. They don't normally let you run. They will let you ski, but you have to be a little more careful. Most knee replacements performed over the age of 60 will last a lifetime. Lots of patients ask can they kneel, and they can kneel perfectly. It just feels a little different because of the scar on the front of the knee and a slight numb patch on the outer side. Mr Sam McElroy is a consultant orthopaedic knee surgeon. He practises at the Chiltern Hospital in Great Missenden https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/consultants/bernard-john-mcelroy If you have any of the symptoms outlined in this video, seek professional medical help immediately. Do you want to hear more about knee pain, or other orthopaedic conditions? Leave a comment below and we will plan future videos on suggested topics. To discover how Circle Health Group can help you treat knee pain - https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/treatments/knee-arthritis To see how the Chiltern Hospital can help you - https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/hospitals/the-chiltern-hospital/private-knee-surgery-great-missenden #arthritistreatment #kneepain #orthopaedics