Knee arthritis and treatment

At HCA UK: 

• See a consultant specialising in knee arthritis for fast diagnosis and effective treatment 
• Secure your appointment with a specialist knee consultant in 24 hours
• All diagnostic imaging is reported on by specialist musculoskeletal radiologists
• Receive treatment by the number one private provider of orthopaedic care in London (as reported by PHIN)

What is knee arthritis? 

Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints in millions of people in the UK. Knee arthritis refers to inflammation and deterioration of the cartilage in your knee joint, which should act as cushioning for your bones and allow you to bend and straighten your knee smoothly. 

This cartilage covers the end of your thigh bone (femur), the top of the shinbone (tibia) and the backside of your kneecap (patella). Healthy cartilage is smooth but worn cartilage causes the space between these bones to narrow, eventually leading to them rubbing together and forming bumps known as spurs. 

The condition is more common in older individuals. As arthritis develops over time, the level of pain and discomfort typically increases. This causes a gradual loss of mobility, which can have a negative impact on your physical and mental well-being. 

What are the different types of knee arthritis?

There are many different types of arthritis that can affect the knee joint. Among the most common types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis. 

Osteoarthritis in the knee

When people refer to arthritis, they're usually referring to osteoarthritis. More common as we age, osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that's caused by the cartilage in the knee joint wearing away over time, eventually leading to your bones rubbing together.  

Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee

Another form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that can affect individuals of any age. Although rheumatoid arthritis can be present in the knee joints, it usually affects other areas of the body including the hands, wrists and feet. 

Unlike osteoarthritis, which is the result of wear and tear over time, RA causes the joint lining to become inflamed, damaging healthy tissue. This tissue damage is what causes pain and swelling. Accurately diagnosing the type of arthritis that's causing your knee pain is crucial in deciding the most effective treatment method.

Post-traumatic knee arthritis

Post-traumatic arthritis is a form of osteoarthritis that occurs after sudden trauma to your knee, rather than a more gradual development. Common causes of this trauma include contact sports and road accidents, leading to pain, stiffness and limited movement. These symptoms may not appear consistently until years after the trauma occurred, however, as your cartilage will continue wearing down over time.  

What causes arthritis of the knee joint?

Arthritis in the knee is caused by a range of factors, including:

• Injuries: If you've hurt your knee playing sports or following an accident, this increases the chances of arthritis developing in your knee joint
• Repetitive strain: If you regularly put your knee joints under strain, you may be more likely to develop arthritis
• Genetics: Some people are born with bone and cartilage issues that can increase the risk of developing arthritis. It’s possible to inherit rheumatoid arthritis, but the chances are low 
• Age: Your risk of arthritis increases as you get older and your bones become more fragile. Cartilage also loses some of its ability to provide cushioning, increasing the risk of arthritis.
• Gender: Women are more likely to develop arthritis than men because of the way female bodies are designed. As women are designed to give birth, the tendons and joints are less rigid. This increases the likelihood of injury and arthritis. Women also tend to have wider hips than men, which means that the knee alignment can make women more susceptible to various injuries later in life. The female immune system is also more reactive. As rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, women are almost three times as likely to develop the condition than men 
• Weight: Being overweight can increase strain on your knee joints over time and contribute to you developing arthritis. 

How is knee arthritis diagnosed?

If you're experiencing some of the symptoms of knee arthritis and it's causing pain and discomfort, book an appointment to see one of our knee specialists. One of our knee consultants will determine the cause of your pain. During your initial appointment, one of our knee specialists will discuss your symptoms and medical history with you before conducting a physical examination. 

You may be asked to perform some basic leg exercises while lying down, but only if you're physically able to. Your consultant will also manipulate your knee joint to see how it responds to different movements. Once your initial examination is complete, your consultant may arrange blood tests (if they suspect RA, for example) to identify certain markers. 

Your consultant will usually request imaging too. This is because imaging highlights the space between the bones of the knee joint. If this space narrows, it could indicate a problem with your cartilage. Imaging can also show bone spurs and cysts, which can develop into osteoarthritis if left untreated. You might need to have one or more of the following:

• X-ray 
• MRI scan
• CT scan

If you're diagnosed with knee arthritis, your consultant will discuss the treatment options with you. They'll always recommend the least invasive treatment for arthritis in your knee first. Once you’ve explored the different treatment options available, you’ll be able to work with your consultant to decide the best way to proceed.  

If you've tried non-surgical treatment options but pain or poor mobility is still holding you back, knee surgery might be necessary to get you back to your regular activities. The procedures available with HCA UK include:

• Knee arthroscopy: Your consultant will insert a tiny camera (arthroscope) inside your knee to examine the joint. This is done through a small incision. By seeing the knee cartilage, joint lining and ligaments, your consultant can accurately diagnose the cause of your knee pain. If necessary, surgical instruments can be inserted via another incision to conduct treatment at the same time
• Knee realignment surgery: This surgery can provide relief from knee pain and delay, or in some cases eliminate, the need for a knee replacement operation
• Partial knee replacement: Arthritis can sometimes only affect one compartment of the knee, meaning the other compartments can be retained. It's a less invasive treatment than a full knee replacement and is often recommended for younger, more active patients  
• Total knee replacement: This is a procedure to replace all compartments of your damaged knee joint with a prosthesis. 

Your consultant will discuss the most effective treatment options with you during your initial consultation.