Steemit Learning Challenge-S21W2; Knee Osteoarthritis"

Osteoarthritis is a common illness that affect million of people across the world especially the older once. It happens when all the protective cartilage that support the ends of the bones gradually wears down over time. It can occur due to genetic factors but also due to sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, knee injury, Aging, Gout, obesity, hormonal imbalance and infection.

Knee Osteoarthritis is a disease condition commonly known as knee degenerative joint disease. As the name implies, Knee osteoarthritis is term to be a chronic degenerative disease that affect the articular cartilage in the knee joint breaks down enabling the bone to rub together. I believe you are aware that the friction makes the knees hurt, become stiff and sometimes swell as well.

From the experience we had from different people as a medical personnel, I understand that knee osteoarthritis is a condition that can only be managed to slow down it progress, ease the symptoms but it has no cure. It can also affect other joint like hands,hip and spine.

Unlike other health conditions, knee osteoarthritis has sign and symptoms. The most common symptoms is pain such an individual will definitely feel hurt during and after movement. There is joint stiffness of being inactive or waking up from morning sleep. Tenderness is also common in the affected part, loss of flexibility, grading sensation, bone spurs and swelling will be noticed depending on the severity of the OA.

Types Of Knee Osteoarthritis

There are several types of knee OA and each of them affects the joint in diverse ways. The most commonest type is primary osteoarthritis. which occurs due to natural aging and the gradual wear and tear on the knee joint. There is no known cause (idiopathic) but sometimes is due genetic predisposition.

Secondary this is a type where there's a known cause for the disorder. It can happen to any individual and mostly affects one's knee. It can be due to Diabetes, infection, Rheumatoid arthritis, dysplastic and Gout.

The primary and secondary is the two main types of Knee osteoarthritis, Post-traumatic osteoarthritis often occurs after an individual had a sustains injury to the knee example knee fracture and ligament injury. We also have knee osteoarthritis subtype, osteoarthritis based on location, severity other classification system.

Different types of knee Osteoarthritis has a different degree of pain, swelling, and mobility issues; some are mild, other are moderate and as well severe.

We have five grade of knee osteoarthritis.

This is classified based on the severity of joint damage and symptoms.

In grade 0, I can still classified it as a normal joint because there is no x-ray finding on this stage

Grade 1 is a very mild stage where there's a doubtful space reduction at the knee joint. Any victim will have small pain and stiffness but there is no limitations of daily activities.

Grade 2 is a moderate stage because there is a joint space narrowing approximately 25 to 50%.There is some limitations on each day activities.

Grade 3 this stage is classified into severe stage, there is a reduction knee joint pains with marked limitations on daily activities and significant pain.

Grade 4 is known as the very severe stage, there may be joint space loss and joint to joint contact may occur with very severe pains and stiffness. At this stage there is significant impairment.

Knee Osteoarthritis can be diagnosed in numerous ways and is all about meeting expert in this particular field of study. They will carry out combination of clinical evaluation, physical examination, Imaging studies and laboratory tests.

The first thing I know is that your doctor will perform a good physical examination to assess your knee mobility and check out for sign of pain or knee stiffness, range of motion, muscles strength and joint suitability. This means that palpation and proper inspection will be done on the knee.

Clinical evaluation comes with the medical history of a patient, how long he or she experience the symptoms, then the doctor will evaluated if there is any family history of knee osteoarthritis and the patient lifestyle factors which involves sports, knee trauma or occupation.

Images studies:The use of X-ray can be essential in showing the bone and changes in the cartilage. The x-ray shows if there is narrowing space between the joints, spurs, subchondral sclerosis and even thickening of the bone below the cartilage of the knee.

Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) is also a perfect option used in assessing if there is any cartilage thickness or ligament damage. This assessment help in providing a detailed images of the soft tissue of the knee for immediate action.

The use of ultrasound scan is relevant in detecting soft tissue abnormalities as well as joint effusion.

There are lots of laboratory tests for knee osteoarthritis, l know of few which are Synovial fluid analysis, C-reactive protein, Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate (ESR) and complete Blood count. All of the above test help in early detection of OA and prompt treatment.

Note that: It is advisable for all individual to seek prompt medical attention on each sign and symptoms we experience on daily basis.

The first exercise, I want to carry out on a healthy individuals was Calf & hamstring stretch

The essence of this exercise is to improve the shortened muscles because of the regular pain and immobility.