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What are the Symptoms of a Worn Knee Cartilage

Max. D Gray
By Max. D Gray. Updated: January 20, 2017
What are the Symptoms of a Worn Knee Cartilage

Over time, your body changes and loses strength, flexibility and stability. One of the unmistakable symptoms of this degenerative process can be a worn joint cartilage. This is one of the most common signs of arthritis caused by overexertion which places a strain on your joints, whether during movement or physical activities.

Your knees are one of the most common bones to suffer from this type of degeneration. Therefore you need to pick up on any signs so you can visit your doctor and remedy any aches and pains. In the following OneHowTo article we are going to explain the common symptoms of a worn knee cartilage. Pay attention so you can prevent or improve the condition of your joints by following some good basic habits.

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Why does the knee become worn?

A worn knee is a chronic joint disease that is generally caused by the condition of osteoarthritis. There are multiple factors that can cause degeneration of the knee. These are some of the most common:

  • Overexertion during movements
  • Excessive impact from physical activity
  • Genetic factors
  • Obesity problems

A worn knee occurs when there is a cellular alteration of the chondrocytes and subchondral bone within the joint cartilage. This disorder results in loss of elasticity, strength, resistance and pressure on the cartilage, so it gradually deteriorates. Furthermore, ageing and the passage of time produces degenerative changes in the bone and contributes towards the onset of arthritis. However, wear can be accelerated because of an injury such as a fracture, torn meniscus or any previous anomaly in the joint.

Worn knee symptoms

Amongst the most common symptoms of a worn knee, the following are highlighted:

  • Pain, discomfort or shooting pains in the knee while standing for a period of time.
  • Shooting pains or your knees giving way when climbing stairs or walking.
  • Pain when getting up after sitting for a period of time.
  • Severe pain when you initially move your knee.
  • Cracking in the knee when walking.
  • Joint inflammation. However, to rule out mere water retention, you must first establish that only the knee is inflamed. The legs, ankles or feet won't be inflamed in any case.
  • Knee deformation. When the case is very advanced, wear can be seen with the naked eye.

In all cases, pain, discomfort or inflammation are caused by knee stiffness as a consequence of worn cartilage. In addition, intra-articular synovial fluid may increase with a boost in pressure on the membranous cells that produce and secrete it. Overexertion of the knee will advance the progression of any wear and tear.

What are the Symptoms of a Worn Knee Cartilage - Worn knee symptoms

Preventing wear and tear on the knees

Knee wear and tear can be diagnosed by a medical examination. If you feel pain, discomfort or any other symptoms, don't hesitate to go to a professional who can carry out a thorough examination and give an accurate diagnosis. If the pain is unbearable or it is impossible to regenerate cartilage, you can always have a replacement prosthetic knee which can reduce your discomfort and improve your life.

Once you've established a medical diagnosis, it's time to launch a new lifestyle to help improve your knee's condition and prevent any further degeneration, whilst always following guidelines and treatment prescribed by your doctor. Try to avoid overexerting it which can accelerate the wear and tear of cartilage. For example, when it comes to walking, go on short walks and always take breaks.

What's more, following a healthy and balanced diet to maintain an optimal weight is really important for protecting your knee. You should include foods rich in calcium, phosphorus and magnesium (fruit, vegetables and nuts). Remember that your knees support your weight, so by avoiding being overweight, you can prevent progression of the disease. Additionally, you should increase the consumption of products such as cod, vegetables, eggs, gelatine or brewer's yeast, as well as foods rich in vitamin C (kiwis, oranges or lemons) if you want to regenerate cartilage.

Practicing some sport will help you stay in good shape, but if you have knee problems, you should avoid any impact sports and instead opt for swimming to improve your joint health and keep fit.

What are the Symptoms of a Worn Knee Cartilage - Preventing wear and tear on the knees

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to What are the Symptoms of a Worn Knee Cartilage, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.

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What did you think of this article?
3 comments
Rating:
JOHN EDWArds
IHAVE PLAYED A LOT OF SPORT ALL MY LIFE MY PAIN IS ON THE INSIDE OF MY RIGHT KNEE THE FRONT OF MY KNEE DOES NOT HURT WHEN I WALK !!
Rating:
Charles Lineker
A very good guide as to what to eat to help the situation and to seek medical attention .
Rating:
Annette Jairaj
Found this useful, have problems with worn cartilage and I am very worried. GP said Ostheoarthritis of knee and prescribed painkillers but that is not helping.
What are the Symptoms of a Worn Knee Cartilage
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What are the Symptoms of a Worn Knee Cartilage

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