What You Need To Know About Chondrosis Knee?
Chondrosis Is a state of cartilage deterioration in the knee. Such damage of soft connective tissue can be witnessed in osteoarthritis. The most common targets for chondrosis are lower back, knee, foot, hands, hips and neck leading to tightness and severe discomfort. The cushioning connective tissue gets distorted in several ways including injuries, age factor or over usage. Generally, it is not expected to get this condition cured, but appropriate treatment and management may decrease disease progression and facilitate regaining mobility.
Signs and Symptoms for Chondrosis knee
When the cartilage present on the knee gets affected, it exhibits certain symptoms such as
- Inflammation due to cartilage floating
- Discomfort while climbing stairs or walking
- Knee buckle
- Knee locking
- Knee tickling voice while moving
What are Types of Chondrosis?
Chondrosis is classified according to the locations in the body where it can be found. The most prominent among them are as follows
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Knees
Players with stressful workouts and heavy body masses are easy victims of wear and tear of knees. Due to overburden, the cartilage layer on the inner side of knee ruptures, also known as patellofemoral chondrosis. The cartilage deterioration in this area is known as chondromalacia. The discomfort and pain observed in this state is graded from 1 to 4.
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Lower Back
Acute back –pain may get triggered by several reasons, but it is of short duration. It disappears on its own within a few days. But chronic pain persists for a longer period and is often accompanied by osteoarthritis. The cartilage damage produces small bony outgrowths that suppress the spinal nerve endings.
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Neck
The cartilage layers provide cushion and protection against pressure in the neck and spine area. Osteoarthritis causes these cartilage linings to be damaged. As a result, inflammation and pain causes difficulty in performing routine activities.
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Hips
The weight bearing capacity of hip joints is very critical in overall body stability. The ball and socket joint present in the hip area has different cartilage layers responsible for smooth and stress-free movements. Chondrosis of hip cartilage increases friction, leading to bone spurs. Difficulty in walking, severe pain and swelling are common symptoms of hip chondrosis
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Hands
Hand joints may develop bone spurs causing pain. Most pain is experienced in the bottom of the thumb leading to swelling and tenderness. Daily activities are also disturbed by this sort of discomfort, including all motor actions.
Stages of Chondrosis
The severity of chondrosis is labelled according to the stages of the condition
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Normal level
When the knee shows no sign of discomfort, and enjoys regular activities, it is at stage 0 or normal.
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Trivial level
When the knee feels a sense of mild wear and tear accompanied by growth of bony spurs. The pain is of trivial level or at stage 1.
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Mild level
Bone spurs grow greater than stage 1. But the space of bones is considered normal. The presence of severe pain and tightness renders it mild level or stage 2.
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Modest level
Significant cartilage destruction is observed at modest level or stage 3.
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Severe level
A notable reduction in bone space is witnessed at severe levels. Also, severe inflammation and pain makes the condition more severe. Joint stiffness is accompanied by cartilage tearing off.
Diagnosis of Chondritis knee
The diagnosis for chondritis knee patients is made by following test
- Standing X-ray
- High quality MRI such as 3-Tesla MRI
These diagnostic tests facilitate the healthcare providers to estimate joint pain narrowing, and location of chondral defect. Moreover, this diagnostic approach can further help to identify the presence of any cyst or inflammation, that is not only damaging the cartilage but also bone.
Who is an Easy Target to Chondrosis Knee?
High performance athletes, who endure heavy body weight are more prone to knee chondritis. As knees bear 4-pounds more than the upper body, certain exercise and obesity can trigger knee cartilage breakdown.
Moreover, age and genetics are also the contributing factors towards the cartilage composition. Over usage of the knee joint in repetitive movements may also weaken the cartilage layer.
Treatment Options
Both surgical and non-surgical treatments available for chondrosis knee can be considered depending upon the severity of pain.
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Non-Surgical Treatment
Before chondritis reaches osteoarthritis, there are chances to manage the disease by non-invasive options. Some of the approaches offered by American College of Rheumatology are
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- Physical Therapy
- Weight loss
- Occupational therapy
- Orthotics and braces
- Exercises
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Medical Supplements
Medical experts may recommend some prescription free medications to alleviate pain and inflammation. The most common among them are acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, topical administration is preferred over the systemic one.
The prescription drugs most recommended by ACR are corticosteroids, tramadol and duloxetine. Now, creams having capsaicin in their composition may also provide temporary relief by application on hands.
However, there are also some supplements used for joint and bone health. They include
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- Vitamin K
- Calcium
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin
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Surgical Treatments
Taking high doses of painkillers for a longer period is not beneficial for health. So, when the pain aggravates and keeps on persisting, it is better to go for surgical treatments. They provide permanent relief. But an expert healthcare provider must be contacted for this type of treatment.
Arthroscopic surgeries are performed most to start a complete recovery journey. While the rehabilitation process may take a longer period under the supervision of expert healthcare providers.
Conclusion
Chondrosis knees can become unbearable and restrict body mobility. The results are a disturbed, stressful life routine that must be treated and managed properly. Although joint health is more dependent on prevention, that facilitates avoiding any cartilage damage in the latter stages of life. But if cartilage deterioration is observed, it is better to contact licensed medical personnel for surgical treatments.
As the underlying causes leading to knee chondritis are difficult to manage, it is best to consult the knee doctor Fort Worth or pain and spine center. However, treatment of knee chondritis is essential to enjoy a stress-free life.
