Osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the most chronic joint conditions. The points in your body where two bones come together are called a joint like the knee and elbow. A protective tissue called cartilage covers the ends of such bones. It ensures smooth movement of the bones. When a person develops osteoarthritis, the cartilage breaks down. This leads to excessive rubbing of the bones causing stiffness, inflammation, and pain. Using cold gel knee wrap is an effective way to get the much-needed relief from the mind-numbing pain.
Osteoarthritis is also called wear-and-tear arthritis and degenerative arthritis. Here is what you need to know about osteoarthritis:
Causes of osteoarthritis
The condition develops because of joint damage. The damage accumulates over time. So, age is a major cause of joint damage resulting in osteoarthritis. With age, your joints have had experienced more wear and tear. Other causes leading to joint damage are- torn cartilage, ligament injuries, and dislocation of joints. Your lifestyle also affects the health of your joints. Obesity and poor posture are, therefore, also potential causes of joint damage.
Common symptoms of osteoarthritis
Some of the most common symptoms of the condition are stiffness in the joints, inflammation, and pain. You may also feel tenderness or discomfort while pressing the area around the affected joint. As the condition becomes advanced, the associated pain becomes intense. Swelling of the joint may also be experienced. Put a cold gel knee wrap on the joint to manage the pain.
Stages of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition that has five stages, zero to four. Zero represents healthy joints. Four means severe osteoarthritis. Everyone who develops osteoarthritis does not reach stage four. Usually, the condition is stabilized before the fourth stage is reached. People who are in the last stage experience complete or massive cartilage loss. The associated friction of bones leads to symptoms like:
Increased pain- You will feel pain not only during activities but also while resting. The pain tends to increase as the day progresses.
Increased swelling- When the amount of synovial fluid increases in joints, it causes swelling of the area. Broken cartilage fragments may also float in the fluid increasing swelling and pain.
Instability of joints- Joints may become unstable. So, if you develop severe osteoarthritis of the knees, you may experience a sudden lack of movement or locking; or buckling when the knees give out. Both can result in injuries and falls.
Don’t postpone the visit to your doctor if you are experiencing pain in your joints. Use ice wraps to help ease the pain! You will find the best ice wraps for knee with us.