Osteoarthritis of the Knee

What is knee osteoarthritis?

The knee is the joint between the femur and our shinbone (tibia) and on the front of the lower part of the femur also slides the kneecap (patella). The knee joint is a compound joint consisting of several joint surfaces, an external and an internal condyle joint between the femur and tibia, and a joint between the femur and patella. It is a somewhat complicated joint where the joint surfaces do not fit well together and therefore the joint surfaces are braced with two menisci (cartilage discs), one in each condyle joint. The menisci provide shock absorption and better alignment of the joint surfaces. They act as stabilizers in the otherwise unstable structure and they also help lubricate the articular cartilage with synovial fluid. To further stabilize the joint, there are two cruciate ligaments, ligaments that sit crosswise inside the joint. There are also lateral ligaments that sit outside the joint

The joint surfaces are lined with articular cartilage and this, like other tissues, is continually replenished in a healthy joint through degradation and new formation. When articular cartilage breaks down faster than it is rebuilt, we have osteoarthritis.

Articular cartilage is composed of abundant type II collagen, hyaluronic acid and many other large molecules that bind large amounts of water, resulting in a firm yet elastic tissue. In a healthy joint, there is a balance between the build-up and breakdown of cartilage. In osteoarthritis, this balance is disturbed. Friction in the joint increases and eventually bone can wear against bone as the articular cartilage is worn down completely.

The cause is usually a prolonged overload, often due to oblique loading of the knee joint when it is not loaded completely evenly but rubs obliquely on the cartilage, so that the cartilage surface becomes uneven. The root cause of oblique loading in the knee can be a skewed, unbalanced pelvis that has consequences for the entire body’s balance and load in all joints.

An injury to the knee, such as a meniscus or ACL injury, can also cause osteoarthritis of the knee in the long term, as the injury creates an inflammation which affects not only the articular cartilage but the joint capsule, synovial fluid, menisci, ligaments, etc.

How to prevent knee osteoarthritis

If you keep your body moving, without overworking it, and also keep your body in balance, you have eliminated some major risk factors for osteoarthritis of the knee.

So what does it mean to keep your body in balance? Both physical and mental balance are important. It means getting the right amount of exercise and nutrients, mainly through a healthy diet but also supplements such as collagen, vitamin C, magnesium, MSM and other nutritional supplements, getting enough sleep, not stressing, breathing deeply and through your nose, socializing with friends, etc. The list goes on!

Collagen, vitamin C and magnesium are often deficiency factors in our daily dietary intake and they are important building blocks for the formation of new cartilage and fascia.

Regular movement, for example yoga or pilates training a couple of times a week with a knowledgeable instructor to promote balance. In addition, own daily movement, do not sit still too much, take breaks and get the flow in legs and arms.

Prevent knee osteoarthritis by regularly checking and balancing your body and pelvis. Regular check-ups and treatment at a Fascia Clinic, for example, will improve your posture, get the flow going and release tension, allowing you to address misalignments in time.

Who usually gets osteoarthritis of the knee?

As mentioned earlier, the risk of knee osteoarthritis increases significantly when the body is out of balance, both physically and mentally. Excessive and uneven loading of the knee joint is a major risk factor.

Osteoarthritis of the knee is more common as people get older, often over 50. Normal aging means that the body’s ability to form components, repair and heal is reduced, and nutrient absorption and flow are impaired.

Being overweight is another risk factor that puts too much strain on the knee joint and can cause osteoarthritis. Diabetes negatively affects the fascia, which also increases the risk of osteoarthritis.

Various types of elite athletes who train hard and put strain on their knees, especially with uneven bias, are often prone to knee osteoarthritis.

When and where should I seek treatment for knee osteoarthritis?

The general view in healthcare is that osteoarthritis cannot be cured. However, cartilage, like all tissues, is alive and is constantly being broken down and rebuilt. It is important to regain the balance so that the degradation does not accelerate, or at least slow down.

The care offers physiotherapy with exercise programs, so-called osteoarthritis school, cortisone treatment and possibly surgery if the osteoarthritis is severe.

Appropriate daily movement is very important. Movement is not harmful to osteoarthritis even if it is painful, but it can be very difficult to perform an exercise program if the pain is excruciating.

Treatment at a Fascia Clinic means that the therapist looks at the whole picture and tries to correct the pelvis and posture so that the joints have an even load. As long as the joints have an uneven load, the osteoarthritis will not stop. When there is an even load on the joints, the pain also tends to decrease, which makes it easier to exercise and strengthen the muscles correctly.

What can I do myself for osteoarthritis of the knee?

The most important thing to improve knee osteoarthritis is to get help with your posture so that the joints get an even load. This is best done at a Fascia Clinic.

Next, make sure to eat a healthy diet with good nutritional intake and, for best results, take supplements that benefit cartilage and fascia, especially collagen, vitamin C and magnesium, which are often deficient in today’s diets. Supplementation of larger amounts of hydrolyzed collagen, at least 15 g, ensures that you get the amino acids, building blocks needed to build new articular cartilage. Vitamin C and magnesium are also important, along with collagen, for strong fascia.

Minimize sugar intake, as sugar makes fascia inelastic and stiff, and does not promote healing. In addition, a low-sugar diet can promote weight loss if you are overweight.

Daily exercise, without overloading, is very important. Preferably soft, strengthening exercises, so that the muscles are strengthened, which protects the joints.

Aids for knee osteoarthritis

It is important to use shoes with good cushioning for knee osteoarthritis. A rigid, hard shoe with poor cushioning puts more strain on the knee and can cause more pain and make walking more difficult.

If the pain is too great when walking, it is important to try to move anyway, using a cane or similar to be able to walk. The worst thing you can do is sit still. But getting the body into a more even load is the number one way to reduce problems.