Your Guide to Total Knee Replacement

 

Arthritis–A condition with stiffness, swelling, and pain, which may create a feeling of weakness in the knee and results in locking or buckling of the knee; pain generally develops gradually and may be affected by the weather. Three types of arthritis may affect the knee joint:

• Osteoarthritis (OA)–The most common form of knee arthritis; a slowly-progressing, degenerative disease in which the joint cartilage on the ends of the bones gradually wears away, the bones eventually thicken and develop spurs, and extra fluid may be produced; can occur in one or both knees; most often affects people over 55. Symptoms include pain when standing or going up or down stairs and knees buckling, locking in place, or becoming stiff and swollen.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)–An inflammatory condition of the synovial membrane that can destroy the joint cartilage; generally affects both knees; and can occur at any age; also called gouty arthritis.
• Post-traumatic arthritis–Similar to osteoarthritis, this kind of arthritis can develop after a fracture, ligament injury, or meniscus tear; may develop years after the injury.

 

Source: American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons