Osteoarthritis is the most common type of joint arthritis disease, which can affect the hands, knees, and hips. Knee arthritis is known to affect joint functionality causing knee pain and even leading to disability as it progresses.
Below are different stages of knee osteoarthritis ranging from normal, minor, mild, moderate, and severe stages, with appropriate treatment plans.
Stage 0 – Normal
When the knee shows no signs of osteoarthritis, it is classified as Stage 0, which is normal knee health, with no known impairment or signs of joint damage.
Treatments
There is no treatment required for stage 0 OA.
Stage 1 – Minor
Stage 1 Osteoarthritis patients will develop very minor wear and tear and bone spur growth at the end of the knee joints. However, at this stage, it is unlikely you will feel pain or discomfort.
Treatments
For stage 1 supplements may be recommended. Lifestyle considerations like regular exercise may also prove to be helpful.
Stage 2 – Mild
In Stage 2, diagnostic images or X-rays of knee joints will show more bone spur growth, and though the space between the bones appears normal, people will begin experiencing symptoms of joint pain. Typically, the area around the knee joints will feel stiff and uncomfortable, particularly when sitting for an extended period, after rising in the morning, or after a workout.
Treatments
There are different therapies to help relieve the pain and discomfort caused in this mild stage. Many patients are recommended a strict regimen of exercise and strength training for increased joint stability.
Stage 3 – Moderate
Stage 3 is referred to as “moderate”, where there is obvious erosion to the cartilage surface between bones and fibrillation narrows the gap between the bones. Joint inflammation causes frequent pain when walking, running, squatting, extending, or kneeling.
Treatments
May prescribe stronger pain medicine. Moderate knee arthritis can be treated aggressively with injections over 3-5 weeks’ time, which may take several weeks for the treatment to start showing results, but pain relief typically lasts six months.
Options of bone realignment surgery( if one compartment is involved) and total knee replacement ( if all compartments are involved), can be considered if there is no relief by intra-articular injections and other conservative management.
Stage 4 – Severe
In stage 4 the joint space between the bones is considerably reduced, causing the cartilage to wear off, leaving the joint stiff. The breakdown of cartilage leads to a chronic inflammatory response, with decreased synovial fluid that causes friction, greater pain, and discomfort when walking or moving the joint.
Treatments
In cases of severe Osteoarthritis of the knee, an option is performing bone realignment surgery, wherein the orthopaedic surgeon cuts the bone above or below the knee to help realign the weight-bearing axis. This surgery helps protect the knee by shifting the weight of the body away from the site of the bone spur growth and bone damage.
Arthroplasty or total knee replacement can also be considered if all compartments of knee joint are damaged
If you are suffering from any knee-related problem, contact Dr. A.K. Sharma, the best orthpaedic doctor for knee replacement surgery in Delhi NCR. We provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan at an affordable price.
