Just another iHealthSpot WP02 site

  • 1.701.946.7400

  • Leave a Review 
  • Patient Portal 
  • Online Bill Pay 
  • Request an Appointment 
The Bone & Joint Center
MENUMENU
  • About Us
    • Careers
  • Meet the Providers
    • Bone & Joint Physicians
      • Duncan B. Ackerman, MD
      • Timothy J. Bopp, MD
      • Chad B. Carlson, MD
      • Joseph W. Carlson, MD
      • Derrick O. Cote, MD
      • Brian P. Dahl, MD
      • Timothy J. Juelson, MD
      • Steven Kraljic, MD
      • Brock A. Norrie, MD
      • Troy D. Pierce, MD
    • Advanced Practice Providers
    • Therapists
  • Specialties
    • Foot & Ankle
    • General Orthopedics
    • Hand & Wrist
    • Hip & Knee
    • Joint Replacement
    • Neurosurgery
    • Osteoporosis
    • Pediatric Orthopedics
    • Shoulder & Elbow
    • Sports Injuries
    • Trauma & Fractures
  • Procedures & Services
    • Orthopedic Surgery
    • Shoulder Replacement
    • Hand Surgery
    • Rotator Cuff – Shoulder Scope
    • Hip Replacement
    • Knee Replacement
    • Joint Revision
    • Minimally Invasive Procedures
    • Ligament Reconstruction
    • Physical Therapy
    • Occupational Therapy
    • Hand Therapy
    • Prosthetics/Orthotics
  • Patient Resources
    • For New Patients
    • Therapy Protocols
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Patient Portal
    • Medical Records Release
    • Patient Education
    • Important Phone Numbers
    • Other Resources
    • Good Faith Estimate Notice
    • Notice of Privacy Policy
  • Blog
  • Contact & Locations
    • Bismarck, ND
    • Dickinson, ND
    • Beulah, ND
    • Garrison, ND
    • Hazen, ND
    • Linton, ND
    • Hettinger, ND
    • Minot, ND
    • Turtle Lake, ND
    • Williston, ND
    • Wishek, ND
  • Ortho Update 2025
    • Achilles Tendon Repair Rehabilitation
    • Achilles Tendon Ruptures
    • ACL Tears: Repair or Reconstructions?
    • ACL Rehab R Malm
    • Articular Cartilage Management
    • Changes over 40 years
    • Conservative Management of Low Back Pain
    • Conservative Treatment for Patella-Femoral Pain
    • Functional Core Stability
    • Imaging of the Spine for Physical Therapists
    • Interventional Pain Medicine
    • Isokinetics: What Can We Learn From the Test?
    • Managing Scapular Dyskinesia
    • Patellofemoral Management
    • Plyometrics
    • Post-op Managment of Slap Repair
    • Rehab Post Rotator Cuff Surgery
    • Remplissage and Latarjet Rehabilitation
    • Return to Sport, What's New?
    • Robotic Shoulder Replacement
    • Rotator Cuff Disease
    • Shoulder Arthroplasty
    • Shoulder Instability with Bone Loss
    • Slap Tears
    • Spinal Stenosis
    • Total Joint Post op restrictions
    • Total Joint Replacements: Younger Patients
    • Total Knee Replacement Rehabilitation

Osteoarthritis of the Knee

  • Introduction
  • Anatomy
  • Causes
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatment
  • Surgery

Introduction

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting more than 21 million Americans.  Osteoarthritis tends to develop as people get older or from overuse of the knee during work or sports.  Osteoarthritis causes the protective covering at the ends of the bones in the knee to gradually wear away, resulting in painful bone on bone rubbing and disrupted movement.  Medications, physical therapy, and knee injections are used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee.  Surgery may be necessary if pain and immobility limit your activities and lifestyle, despite non-surgical treatments.
Back to top

Anatomy

The knee is one of the most complex joints in the body.  It is composed of three bones.  The thighbone (femur) is positioned on top of the larger leg bone (tibia).  The kneecap (patella) glides in a groove on the end of the thighbone.  Large muscle groups in the thigh give the knee strength and stability. 

A smooth articular cartilage covers the bones in the knee joint.  The articular cartilage serves as a cushion between the joints, allowing the bones to glide pain-free during motion.  When the articular cartilage breaks down, the space between the joint narrows and becomes uneven.
Back to top

Causes

Osteoarthritis of the knee occurs as the articular cartilage in the knee joint breaks down, causing a reaction in the bone.  The bones in the knee joint become thicker and develop growths (osteophytes or spurs). Lubricating fluid in the joint (synovial fluid) gets thicker and inflamed. If too much fluid is produced, a condition referred to as "water on the knee" can result.

With osteoarthritis, the knee joint continues to experience changes over several years.  Eventually, very little of the articular cartilage remains.  Bone-on-bone rubbing causes pain, impairs knee movements, and makes daily activities difficult.

Factors that increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis include:
• Excess weight or obesity that adds pressure to the knee joints
• Heredity
• Increasing age
• Women more than 50 years old have a higher incidence than men
• Knee injury
• Repetitive stress injury to the knee
• Participation in high impact sports
• Certain illnesses, including septic arthritis and metabolic disorders
Back to top

Symptoms

Osteoarthritis of the knee can cause knee pain and swelling.  You may have difficulty moving your knee or performing activities such as walking, squatting, kneeling, and going up or down stairs.
Back to top

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose osteoarthritis of the knee by examining the knee, considering your symptoms, and reviewing your medical records. X-rays are the main diagnostic tool to diagnose osteoarthritis.
Back to top

Treatment

Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee is individualized.  The treatment that you receive depends on several factors, including your overall health and the stage of disease.  Osteoarthritis of the knee is treated with physical therapy, lifestyle changes, medications, surgery, or a combination of treatments. 

If you are overweight , your doctor may recommend that you lose weight.  Attaining and maintaining a healthy weight reduces the load on your knees.  Participating in physical therapy can help strengthen the muscle groups around the knee joint.  A knee brace can provide support.

Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain medications such as aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.  Your doctor may prescribe stronger prescription pain medications if necessary.  Joint injections, such as corticosteroid injections or viscosupplementation, are used for osteoarthritis pain relief.
Back to top

Surgery

If symptoms persist despite conservative treatments, knee surgery may be necessary.  Osteotomy and joint replacement (arthroplasty) are surgical procedures to treat osteoarthritis of the knee.  Osteotomy is used to remove and reshape bone from the leg to cause a shift in body weight away from the damaged area. Casting, splinting, and physical therapy follow osteotomy.  Recovery from osteotomy varies from 3 to 6 months for some people, and up to a year for others.

Total knee replacement removes the damaged portion of the knee and replaces it with artificial implants.  Knee replacement is the most common type of joint replacement surgery.  It is highly successful for relieving pain and restoring function. Minimally invasive knee replacement surgery uses smaller incisions, and is associated with shorter hospital stays, shorter rehabilitation periods, and a quicker recovery time than traditional total knee replacement.  Your doctor will let you know which knee joint replacement method is best for you.  Overall, most people experience a dramatic reduction of knee pain and the ability to resume functional activities after knee arthroplasty.
Back to top

Copyright ©  - iHealthSpot Interactive - www.iHealthSpot.com

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.

Footer

Our Patient Reviews


Discover how the devoted care providers at The Bone & Joint Center have made a positive impact on our patients' lives. We value your feedback and your personal experiences are important to us. Share your own review with us today, and let us know how our team has served you. Your input helps us continuously improve and ensure we provide the best care possible.

Leave a Review
  read our Reviews

Blog


Stay updated with the latest advancements in orthopedics and receive updates regarding our practice and healthcare providers by exploring our blog.
READ MORE

Patient Stories


Discover the inspiring journeys of our patients who have experienced remarkable recoveries and life-changing transformations at The Bone & Joint Center. These real-life stories showcase the exceptional care provided by our dedicated team of orthopedic specialists.
READ MORE
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meet the Providers
  • Specialties
  • Procedures & Services
  • Blog
  • Contact & Locations
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy

Bismarck 310 N. 9th Street Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone: (701) 946-7400
Fax: (701) 751-4550

Copyright © · The Bone & Joint Center · All Rights Reserved

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

At The Bone & Joint Center, our compassionate orthopedic specialists provide a wide range of services including orthopedic surgery, shoulder replacement, hand surgery, shoulder scope, hip replacement, knee replacement, joint revision, minimally invasive procedures, ligament reconstruction, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Careers
    • Back
  • Meet the Providers
    • Bone & Joint Physicians
      • Duncan B. Ackerman, MD
      • Timothy J. Bopp, MD
      • Chad B. Carlson, MD
      • Joseph W. Carlson, MD
      • Derrick O. Cote, MD
      • Brian P. Dahl, MD
      • Timothy J. Juelson, MD
      • Steven Kraljic, MD
      • Brock A. Norrie, MD
      • Troy D. Pierce, MD
      • Back
    • Advanced Practice Providers
    • Therapists
    • Back
  • Specialties
    • Foot & Ankle
    • General Orthopedics
    • Hand & Wrist
    • Hip & Knee
    • Joint Replacement
    • Neurosurgery
    • Osteoporosis
    • Pediatric Orthopedics
    • Shoulder & Elbow
    • Sports Injuries
    • Trauma & Fractures
    • Back
  • Procedures & Services
    • Orthopedic Surgery
    • Shoulder Replacement
    • Hand Surgery
    • Rotator Cuff – Shoulder Scope
    • Hip Replacement
    • Knee Replacement
    • Joint Revision
    • Minimally Invasive Procedures
    • Ligament Reconstruction
    • Physical Therapy
    • Occupational Therapy
    • Hand Therapy
    • Back
  • Patient Resources
    • For New Patients
    • Therapy Protocols
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Patient Portal
    • Medical Records Release
    • Patient Education
    • Important Phone Numbers
    • Other Resources
    • Good Faith Estimate Notice
    • Notice of Privacy Policy
    • Back
  • Blog
  • Contact & Locations
    • Beulah, ND
    • Bismarck, ND
    • Dickinson, ND
    • Garrison, ND
    • Hazen, ND
    • Hettinger, ND
    • Linton, ND
    • Minot, ND
    • Turtle Lake, ND
    • Williston, ND
    • Wishek, ND
    • Back
  • Ortho Update 2025
    • Achilles Tendon Repair Rehabilitation
    • Achilles Tendon Ruptures
    • ACL Tears: Repair or Reconstructions?
    • ACL Rehab R Malm
    • Articular Cartilage Management
    • Changes over 40 years
    • Conservative Management of Low Back Pain
    • Conservative Treatment for Patella-Femoral Pain
    • Functional Core Stability
    • Imaging of the Spine for Physical Therapists
    • Interventional Pain Medicine
    • Isokinetics: What Can We Learn From the Test?
    • Managing Scapular Dyskinesia
    • Patellofemoral Management
    • Plyometrics
    • Post-op Managment of Slap Repair
    • Rehab Post Rotator Cuff Surgery
    • Remplissage and Latarjet Rehabilitation
    • Return to Sport, What’s New?
    • Robotic Shoulder Replacement
    • Rotator Cuff Disease
    • Shoulder Arthroplasty
    • Shoulder Instability with Bone Loss
    • Slap Tears
    • Spinal Stenosis
    • Total Joint Post op restrictions
    • Total Joint Replacements: Younger Patients
    • Total Knee Replacement Rehabilitation
    • Back
  • Patient Portal
  • Online Bill Pay