Knee Injury Surgeon Pottstown, PA
Many of our Pennsylvania patients come to us suffering from pain and stiffness of the knee. They often have a hard time climbing stairs, kneeling, and even rising from a sitting position can be painful and difficult. It turns out in a lot of these cases that the patient is suffering from kneecap arthritis. This condition can develop because of an earlier injury or it can occur over time as part of the aging process. A knee injury surgeon Pottstown, PA patients recommend from Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania can help.
There are a number of reasons why knee arthritis develops. These include:
- Injuries to the kneecap: If a kneecap is dislocated or fractured, there can be damage done to the cartilage on the kneecap and this can eventually result in arthritis.
- Wear and tear: As we age, cartilage throughout the body gets thinner. Cartilage is an elastic tissue that allows the boned to glide over each other with minimal friction. The cartilage that is located at the kneecap is the thickest throughout the body, which is needed because of how much bending and movement we do with our knees. But as the kneecap cartilage wears down and tears, it exposes bone to bone. The body can react to that and develop burn spurs. Unfortunately, this results in arthritis to the kneecap, also called osteoarthritis.
- Dysplasia: As a knee surgeon Pottstown, PA families trust can explain, if the kneecap doesn’t sit properly, (which can occur for a variety of reasons), then every time the knee moves, there is excess friction, pressure, and stress placed on the bones. This can lead to arthritis.
- High riding patella (patella alta): If the kneecap rests higher than it should, there is not enough to support it. This often leads to repeated dislocation and excessive movement that can damage the cartilage at the kneecap. This also can lead to arthritis.
Symptoms of Kneecap Arthritis
If a patient complains of pain at the front of their knee that gets worse when performing activities that put pressure on the knee – such as kneeling, getting up from a chair, or using stairs – this is a strong indicator of kneecap arthritis. In some cases, the patient may even hear a cracking, popping, or grinding sound when they move their knee. In patients with severe arthritis, the kneecap can get locked up.
Let a Knee Doctor Help
While there are many types of symptoms and conditions that will prompt people to seek out medical attention right away, many of us tend to ignore or put off having pain issues checked out by a medical professional. Many people tend to dismiss pain as something that occurred because they must have overexerted themselves, slept on it the wrong way, or even just attribute it to getting old.
If you are suffering from chronic pain or other health conditions that you cannot find relief from, you may be considering knee pain treatment. Call Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania today to schedule a visit with a Pottstown, PA knee injury surgeon.