Knees are an important part of your legs because they are not only used while walking, but also for kneeling and other movements. When there is pain in the knees, it can limit your ability to move as freely as you should be able to. If you are experiencing excessive pain in your knees that doesn't seem to get better, you might need to visit an orthopedic specialist to find out if something serious is wrong. Numerous things can lead to painful knees, but one of the most common causes is osteoarthritis. This article explains some of the things about osteoarthritis that you might be concerned about.

Factors That Contribute to Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis develops when the cartilage between your joints wears away, which can happen naturally. There are also certain factors that can cause the cartilage to wear away faster than usual. For example, if you are a senior citizen, it is possible that you developed osteoarthritis due to cartilage not being able to heal as it does in younger adults. Experiencing frequent knee injuries is another reason why osteoarthritis might develop. Playing sports and underlying medical conditions are some of the other factors that can contribute to osteoarthritis.

Why It Is Important for Knee Osteoarthritis to Be Treated

You must find out if you have osteoarthritis in your knees so it can be treated as soon as possible. If you continue living with the condition, it can lead to numerous problems developing that might be difficult to cope with. For example, as the cartilage continues to wear away, it can get to the point in which walking or bending your knees isn't possible. Osteoarthritis can cause your knees to become stiff and swollen. You are likely to develop bone spurs if you don't get osteoarthritis treated soon enough.

Relieving Pain from Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis can be treated based on the level of pain and how much cartilage has worn away. If you don't have a major case of osteoarthritis, an orthopedic might simply prescribe pain medication to give you relief. Steroid injections are sometimes suggestions for fighting the pain as well. If your condition is severe, undergoing surgery might be the only way to resolve the problem. Replacing knee joints is one of the surgical procedures that can be performed by an orthopedic, but it is usually only done when all other methods of treating the condition are unsuccessful.

For more information, contact a practice such as Town Center Orthopaedic Associates, P.C.