We rely on our knees for many different activities throughout the day – walking up stairs, getting out of cars and even sitting for extended periods of time. When your knee joints feel good and work as they’re supposed to, it’s easy to forget how much we use them. But pain in your knees can have a big impact on your daily life.
Arthritis in the knees is a common cause of knee pain and joint stiffness. Without proper treatment, knee arthritis can get worse over time and make it difficult to do the things you love. But how can you tell if it is arthritis that’s the cause of the discomfort in your knees? In this post, we’ll cover seven early signs of knee arthritis, common types and when to talk with a doctor about your symptoms.
Common early signs of knee arthritis
When you’re beginning to develop the condition, you may notice symptoms of knee arthritis come and go. Here are seven early signs and symptoms of knee arthritis to keep an eye out for:
Knee pain
It’s common to have short bouts of knee pain here and there, but knee pain that comes and goes for six months can be a symptom of knee arthritis. Feeling pain in your knees after certain activities such as long car rides, walking for extended periods of time or sitting cross-legged is another sign of arthritis.
Stiffness
Knee stiffness after waking up is another common sign of knee arthritis. You may experience limited range of motion in the knees for several minutes after waking as the joints warm up.
Cracking or popping sound in the knee
Many people notice sounds coming from one or both knees while they move or fully extend the joint.
Changes to the appearance of the knees
Knee deformities are common signs of arthritis in the knee. You might notice that your knee looks larger or that there’s a new bony bump.
Swelling or warm to the touch
Arthritis causes inflammation, which can make your knee swell or feel warm. This is typically a sign that your knee arthritis is becoming more severe, so it might be one of the last early symptoms you notice.
Knee giving way
Knee arthritis can cause the sensation that your knee is giving way while walking or bearing your weight.
Muscle weakness
Noticing that your thigh muscle is weak could be a symptom of knee arthritis.
What does arthritis of the knee feel like?
Everyone will have a unique combination of symptoms, which means your knee arthritis will feel a little different from someone else’s. In most cases, pain is one of the earliest symptoms of knee arthritis. You may have pain that starts out minor and dissipates after a short time, but pain from knee arthritis often lasts longer and becomes more severe with time.
You might also feel stiffness in the knee that makes it difficult for you to fully straighten your leg. Limited mobility is common, especially right after resting. It may take some time for your knee to warm up and move more normally.
Causes of knee arthritis symptoms
Arthritis is a disease that impacts the joints, and it occurs when the cartilage in the joints becomes damaged. This damage to the cartilage causes pain and affects joint mobility.
While there are hundreds of different types of arthritis, the most common types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic knee arthritis.
- Osteoarthritis – A condition that breaks down the smooth tissue (articular cartilage) that cushions the knee joint. You might also hear it called degenerative joint disease (DJD) or wear-and-tear arthritis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis – An autoimmune condition that impacts the lining of your knee joints. This means that the immune system attacks healthy tissue, causing damage and inflammation. People with RA often experience uncomfortable symptoms in multiple joints throughout the body.
- Post-traumatic knee arthritis – Repeated injuries and trauma to the knee can cause cartilage to break down and your knees to become less stable. While other types of arthritis show symptoms gradually, post-traumatic knee arthritis comes on quickly after an injury.
When to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment
If you think you have knee arthritis or if symptoms of knee arthritis are making it difficult for you to get through the day, it may be time to speak with a doctor. A doctor will talk with you about your symptoms and perform tests to determine if knee arthritis is the cause. Doctors typically use imaging tests including X-ray, ultrasound or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to diagnose knee arthritis. If you do have knee arthritis, a doctor can recommend surgical and nonsurgical treatments for knee arthritis.
At TRIA, we have many convenient locations throughout the Twin Cities, making it simpler for you to get the orthopedic care you need. When an injured joint interrupts your daily life, stay close to home and get treated by TRIA.