Causes & Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment
What is knee osteoarthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis is one of the leading causes of chronic pain in adults. It is a degenerative joint condition wherein the cartilage cushioning the knee joint breaks down over time. The lack of cartilage results in pain, swelling and stiffness. It is also a chronic condition that will progress over time and can lead to limited mobility, less independence and a poor overall quality of life.
The gradual wear and tear of cartilage over time is the direct cause of osteoarthritis. The factors that drive the degeneration include aging, being overweight, having a previous knee injury, repetitive stress on the knee and genetic predisposition. Hypervascularity, the formation of abnormal blood vessels within the knee joint, also occurs with knee osteoarthritis and contributes to the continuing erosion of knee cartilage.
Because knee osteoarthritis is a common condition, there are many treatment options, including:
Those with mild to moderate pain can often find relief with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as Tylenol, Aleve or Advil). Those with more significant pain may require doctor-prescribed medications.
This approach uses special exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee joint to reduce pain and increase flexibility.
Also called cortisone shots, steroid injections or intra-articular injections, the treatment involves the injection of anti-inflammatory medicine directly into the knee joint. They can provide temporary relief of pain and swelling, but typically only last up to 4 months.
Total knee replacement (also called total knee arthroplasty) is a surgical procedure that replaces damaged knee cartilage and bone with metal and plastic components. It is typically recommended as a last resort, when other methods no longer provide relief or are no longer practical.
Called GAE for short, this minimally invasive procedure reduces chronic knee pain by blocking the flow of blood to the inflamed lining (synovium) of the knee. It is ideal for patients who haven’t found relief from medication, physical therapy or injections, but who wish to avoid or delay knee replacement surgery. It is long-lasting, FDA approved and covered by most insurance and Medicare.
At Pacific Vascular Access Care, we understand how the pain and discomfort of knee osteoarthritis can affect your life and independence. We are a trusted provider of minimally invasive, outpatient vascular and interventional care and have extensive experience performing the GAE procedure. We are committed to offering effective, non-surgical treatment options designed to restore comfort and mobility.