Home

Robotic-Assisted Surgery

Navigation Service Elevates Patient Care

Women and Cardiovascular Disease

A New Mastectomy Option

Q & A: A Closer Look at Thyroid Cancer

What You Should Know About
Gynecologic Cancers

Will You Develop Oseoarthritis of the Knee?

Nearly half of Americans will develop painful knee osteoarthritis over their lifetime, suggests a large government study. In obese people, the potentially debilitating disease will strike nearly two out of three (65%). It is the nation’s most frequent cause of disability.

With osteoarthritis, cartilage — a rubbery tissue at the end of bones that allows joints to move easily — breaks down. "The knee contains a small amount of fluid that lubricates the cartilage," explains Timothy Sitter, M.D., board-certified orthopedic surgeon, with Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas. "If you have osteoarthritis, this fluid does not work as well. The knee can become painful, stiff and swollen."

Factors that increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee include:

• Heredity — Some genetic mutations may play a role.
• Weight — Weight increases pressure on the knee joint.
• Age — The ability of cartilage to heal itself decreases over time.
• Gender — Women older than 50 are at higher risk than men.
• Trauma — Previous injuries to the knee (including repetitive stress injuries) can lead to osteoarthritis.

Protect Your Knees
"Many people are unaware of the seriousness of arthritis and the impact it can have on their lives," says Dr. Sitter. "But the statistics point out the need for Americans to learn about arthritis and take action to prevent the problems that knee osteoarthritis can cause and to reduce its occurrence."

Steps you can take to head off knee osteoarthritis or minimize its effects include:

• Control weight. "If you already have symptoms, losing 15 pounds can cut knee pain in half," Dr. Sitter says. Maintaining a healthy weight can lower your risk of developing knee osteoarthritis.
• Become active. "It’s a common misconception that physical activity can worsen arthritis," Dr. Sitter states. "The opposite is true. Physical activity can help decrease symptoms of osteoarthritis."
• Learn techniques to manage your arthritis. A self-help program offered by the Arthritis Foundation has been shown to lead to a 40% reduction in pain. Ask your doctor what you can do to manage the pain and challenges of arthritis.
• Use pain medications. Your doctor can recommend over-the-counter or prescription drugs that can help relieve pain so you can stay active.

Seek Medical Help
If pain becomes too severe or doesn’t respond to more conservative treatment, surgery may help you regain a normal lifestyle. Contact Dr. Sitter, an experienced joint reconstructive surgeon, at Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas at 866-567-4130 for a consultation.