What is osteoarthritis of the knee?
Osteoarthritis of the knee is a frequent disorder that affects many people and increases in frequency with age. It is commonly caused by a combination of hereditary disposition and damage to the knee joint. Appropriate exercise and training can protect against osteoarthritis. Exercise is also an important avenue of treatment if you already suffer from osteoarthritis.
Symptoms
Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition in which the cartilage in the joints gradually degenerates. The natural ability of the cartilage to absorb shock is thus decreased and this causes greater pressure on the bone itself.
The increased pressure on the bone can cause pain and a thickening of the ends of the bone, resulting in bony outgrowths and decreased mobility in the joint. Osteoarthritis is characterized by stiffness in the knee joint and pain that may occur, both during rest and movement.
