Having arthritis in your knee can make everyday activities more challenging. Walking, standing, climbing stairs, exercising or even simply getting up from a chair can cause discomfort or pain. For some, the swelling and pain become worse at night. There are several ways to manage knee pain caused by arthritis, the right approach just depends on your symptoms, and activity level.
What is Knee Arthritis?
Knee arthritis occurs when the smooth cartilage found on the knee joint breaks down, causing the bones to rub together. As the joint changes you may notice the following:
- Stiffness, especially after sitting or rest.
- Swelling around the knee.
- Reduced knee movement.
- Feeling weakness or instability.
- Pain/ discomfort during activities.
Knee arthritis is tricky because it does not affect everyone in the same way. Some clients may experience very mild changes in activity but on X-ray have significant arthritis. While others my have minor changes on the X-ray but experience significant pain or changes in the knee.
Why Does Arthritis Cause Swelling in the Knee?
Swelling of the knee caused by arthritis is a very common symptom. When the knee joint becomes irritated the body responds by increasing the amount of fluid around the knee. The swelling can make your leg feel puffy, stiff and tight. This can contribute to the discomfort because it limits the movement of the knee making movement uncomfortable. Simple strategies such as temporarily reducing the intensity or duration of the activity that causes the swelling, or doing lower impact activities can put less stress on the knee.
Why Does My Knee Arthritis Hurt Worse at Night?
During the day you are moving around and may not notice the discomfort as much as when you are at rest, and the more you move the less stiff you become. Staying in one position for long periods of time can make the knee feel stiff. Also, swelling tends to become worse as the day progresses, with the most swelling occurring at night. Icing the knee periodically throughout the day can help reduce the inflammation. Changing sleeping positions throughout the night or sleeping with a pillow under your leg can reduce the achy, stiff feeling of the knee.
Can a Knee Brace Help?
There are many different types of knee braces, and the style that works best for you depends on the symptoms you are having. For instance, some braces will provide mild compression to prevent swelling, while others are designed to unload the forces through the knee. The goal of the knee brace is to help offload the forces going through the knee joint so that you can move more comfortably.
What Else Can I Do?
Along with a knee brace there are several other strategies that can help combat arthritis pain.
- Keep Moving: Lower impact activities such as biking or swimming can keep you going without putting excess stress on the knee.
- Build Strength: Increasing the muscle strength of the leg especially the muscles around the knee joint can improve mobility. A physiotherapist can help guide you and teach you exercises that will help you strengthen the knee without creating an injury.
- Supportive Footwear: The footwear can influence how the impact forces travel through your lower extremity. Shoes that provide the right support in the arch, ankle and have some cushion can make everyday tasks more comfortable.
- Custom Orthotics: An orthotic is designed to help distribute weight and force evenly across the foot, while also aligning the foot and lower extremity in a neutral position. Orthotics can help reduce the stress felt on the knee.
Knee arthritis does not have to mean giving up the activities you love. Finding the right combination of treatments, can keep you doing what is most important to you. At BioPed, a clinician can assess your lower extremities and recommend a treatment plan that tailored to you, our goal is to keep you doing more of what you love.
