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| Knee
Arthritis |
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 Structure
of Knee Joint: The knee is the largest
weight-bearing joint in the body. Nearly normal knee
function is needed to perform routine everyday activities.
The knee is made up of the lower end of the thigh bone
(femur), which moves on the upper end of the shin bone
(tibia), and the knee cap (patella), which slides in
a groove on the end of the femur. Large ligaments attach
to the femur and tibia to provide stability. The long
thigh muscles give the knee strength for movement.
The joint surfaces where these three bones move against
each other are covered with articular cartilage, a smooth
tissue that cushions the bones and enables them to move
easily. All remaining surfaces of the knee are covered
by a thin, smooth tissue liner called the synovial membrane.
In a healthy knee, this membrane releases a special fluid
that lubricates the knee and almost eliminates the friction.
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Freedom
from PAIN of arthritic knee joint is now possible with
Total Knee Replacement operation.
If your knee has been damaged by arthritis or injury, simple
activities such as walking or getting in and out of a chair
may be painful and difficult. Going up and down the stairs
may become impossible and you may even feel uncomfortable
while resting. Medication may control your pain for a short
while but long term use of pain killers is not likely to
do any good to your stomach or kidneys. You may therefore
be advised Total Knee Surface Replacement operation. By resurfacing
your diseased knee joint’s damaged and worn surfaces,
knee replacement surgery can relieve your pain and help you
get back to enjoying normal, everyday activities.
Total Knee Replacement is
a virtual medical miracle for those patients crippled with
arthritis of the knee. It was first performed in 1968. Improvements
in joint replacement surgical techniques and technology have
greatly increased the effectiveness of this surgery. Today,
more than 245,000 knee replacements are performed each year
in the United States of America. |
The knee is the largest weight-bearing
joint in the body. Nearly normal knee function is needed
to perform routine everyday activities. The knee is made
up of the lower end of the thigh bone (femur), which moves
on the upper end of the shin bone (tibia), and the knee cap
(patella), which slides in a groove on the end of the femur.
Large ligaments attach to the femur and tibia to provide
stability. The long thigh muscles give the knee strength
for movement. |
The joint surfaces where these three bones
move against each other are covered with articular cartilage,
a smooth tissue that cushions the bones and enables them
to move easily. All remaining surfaces of the knee are covered
by a thin, smooth tissue liner called the synovial membrane.
In a healthy knee, this membrane releases a special fluid
that lubricates the knee and almost eliminates the friction. |
Normally, all of these components work
in harmony. But disease or injury can disrupt this harmony,
resulting in pain, muscle weakness, and less function. |
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| Common
Causes of Knee Pain and Loss of Mobility |
 The
most common cause of chronic knee pain and disability is
Arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and traumatic
arthritis are the most common forms of this disease.
Osteoarthritis
usually occurs after age 50. The articular cartilage
covering & cushioning the bones of the knee
softens & wears away. The bones then rub against each
other, causing knee pain and stiffness.
Rheumatoid
Arthritis is a disease in which the synovial membrane
becomes thickened & inflamed,
produces too much synovial fluid. This cronic inflammation
damages the
cartilage, leading to pain and stiffness.
Traumatic Arthritis can follow a serious knee injury like
fracture or ligament tear. This damages the cartilage leading
to arthritis.
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Copyright
2008-09. All rights reserved.
Dr. Shyam Mukhi, Mumbai - India |
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