Knee

Why does my knee hurt

The knee is described as a hinge joint, however it is far more complicated than this simplistic view. The bone surfaces that are in contact with each other are covered in cartilage, a very slippy material. This allows your knee to bend and straighten easily. The knee has three compartments to it; behind the knee (patellofemoral joint), inside (medial compartment) and outside (lateral compartment). Arthritis can affect any of these three parts in any combination. With time the cartilage can wear away leading to the exposed bone rubbing against other exposed bone, this causes pain and stiffness. The pain can be felt at the front, side, or deep inside the knee occasionally even in the hip (referred pain). Gradually mobility is affected and the pain can even disturb your sleep. In the early stages of arthritis people try oral supplements such as cod liver oil, chondrotin and glucosamine and tumeric to improve the pain of the arthritis. Other measures that can help are avoiding impact type activity such as running, exercising the knee, keeping your weight down, icing the knee and anti inflammatories (if you can take them). When the pain becomes unbearable then the only option other than living in pain is a replacement joint.

How can Mr Cope help me?

There are several options available depending on how the arthritis has affected your knee. If it is just behind your kneecap (patellofemoral osteoarthritis) then you may be suitable for a patellofemoral replacement (PFJ). If the inside (medial compartment osteoarthritis) is affected then you may be suitable for a unicompartmental knee replacement (half or partial knee). The majority of patients however have tricompartment arthritis affecting their knee throughout a total knee replacement (TKR) is then the only option. A cut is made down the front of your knee and the kneecap is turned outwards exposing the inside of your knee. The diseased bone ends are then removed and a new knee is inserted and cemented into position. The next day you begin your road to recovery and start to walk, initially with walking aids. You go home typically two days after the operation. The operation itself is only one part to your new knee and you have to put the time and effort in to gain the full benefit by performing the exercises regularly that you will be taught. This is to ensure that the knee moves as well as it is capable of. Around six weeks following the operation you are fit to drive and are usually walking unaided. Mechanical knees do clunk and make noise this is no cause for concern. This is meant as a guide only and all patients heal and recover at different rates.