Arthritis happens to be one of the most common joint problems affecting more than 350 million people across the globe. With over 100 different types, it is primarily characterized by severe pain and discomfort in the affected joint. Though the problem is usually associated with advanced age, it can affect people of any age group. Unfortunately, arthritis cannot be cured completely, however, experts specializing in knee replacement in Thane suggest that the symptoms associated with can be easily managed with proper treatment and care. 

In this blog, we have elaborated on some of the common types of arthritis that affect the knee

Osteoarthritis - It is the most common type of arthritis, that affects millions worldwide. It is marked by the wearing out of the articular cartilage, which refers to the connective tissue that is found in the diarthrodial joints. 
The condition is characterized by symptoms like:

• Severe pain that aggravates with movement
• Joint stiffness 
• Tenderness in the affected areas
•  Limited range of motion and flexibility 
• Grating sensation 
• Bone spurs
• Inflammation and swelling 

Osteoarthritis is more common in elderly and obese people. The risks are also higher in people with existing joint injury, increased wear and tear, bone deformities and genetic defects. 
If the problem is not managed efficiently, it can cause the symptoms to aggravate, thereby drastically impacting the quality of the patient's life by preventing him/her from indulging in normal day-to-day activities. 

Post-traumatic knee arthritis - While most people believe that arthritis is caused by age-related wear and tear the reality is that there are several other factors that may be responsible for it. Traumatic injury is one such problem that results in knee arthritis. You can sustain such injuries while playing sports or due to an accident, impact or blow. What is important to note is that many people suffering from post-traumatic knee arthritis may not experience any symptoms initially and these may take months or even years to become evident. It is due to this very reason that experts specializing in robotic knee surgery in Pune suggest that such injuries should not be taken likely and you should get them addressed by a specialist in the field. If you have experienced any such injury, focus on complete recovery and rehabilitation. This will help to lower the risks of you developing arthritis in future. 

Rheumatoid arthritis - RA is an autoimmune disease and is triggered when the healthy cells present in your body get attacked by your immune system. This happens when the immune system fails to recognize such cells. Apart from the knees, rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the hands and wrists. The condition is marked by severe inflammation in the cells lining the joints, which leads to inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause unbearable pain, often accompanied by structural deformity and loss of balance. There are several inherited traits that can increase the risks of rheumatoid arthritis. Other risk factors that can increase your chances of developing rheumatoid arthritis include advanced age, excessive smoking and obesity. There are several medications and self-management techniques that can help you to lead a quality life with rheumatoid arthritis. As such, you should go for proper treatment. 

Psoriatic arthritis - It is also an autoimmune disease, marked by pain and stiffness in the knee joint. There are several different types of psoriatic arthritis which include symmetric psoriatic arthritis, symmetric psoriatic arthritis, distal psoriatic arthritis, arthritis mutilans and axial arthritis or spondyloarthritis. You will be surprised to know that the condition affects nearly 3 out of 10 people suffering from psoriasis, which is a skin condition marked by the development of red, flaky patches. However, some people may develop psoriatic arthritis even when they do not have psoriasis. So it's basically an important factor but not a necessary factor. If you have the condition you are quite likely to have swollen fingers and toes along with round dents in the nails. This is commonly referred to as pitting. 

Gout - It is an inflammatory joint condition which is triggered by a high amount of uric acid in the body. This triggers the formation of urate crystals in the knees which can be extremely painful. You can experience a gout attack anytime and without a prior warning. This can happen even when you are fast asleep or doing some physical activity. Gout can be easily managed with medication and limiting foods that can cause your uric acid levels to spike up. 

If you want to know more about the different types of arthritis, consult experts offering the best joint surgery in Pune.