What is the best treatment for bone-on-bone knee pain?

Are your knees giving you trouble, making movement hard, or causing pain with every step? If this sounds familiar to you, don’t think you are alone. Many others experience bone-on-bone knee pain that makes even simple activities such as shopping an uncomfortable chore. But there is good news: we no longer must suffer in silence! 

This article serves as your go-to source for dealing with bone-on-bone knee pain. Here, we cover what it is, what causes it, and what the best treatment is. Arming you with this knowledge will allow you to understand your situation, make informed choices for knee health, and ultimately return to living an active lifestyle!

What is bone-on-bone knee pain?

Bone-on-bone knee pain refers to pain caused by advanced osteoarthritis (OA). A healthy knee has a smooth layer of cartilage, which cushions where two bones meet, allowing for painless movement.

When osteoarthritis occurs, the cartilage gradually thins and wears away over time until, eventually, all its protective cushion is gone, and bones themselves begin rubbing together, creating inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the knee joint, which has earned itself the name “bone-on-bone.” 

What are the causes of bone-on-bone knee pain?

Osteoarthritis in the knee, the primary cause of bone-to-bone knee pain, can appear for many reasons. Here’s a breakdown of the key contributors:

• Wear and tear

With time, the knee joint undergoes constant stress and strain, which gradually causes the cartilage to deteriorate. This is commonly observed in people who participate in high-impact activities such as running and sports that require frequent changes of direction and jumping.

• Age

With aging, the body’s capacity to repair and regenerate cartilage, which is a natural process, is gradually lost. Hence, older adults are more likely to have osteoarthritis in the knee.

• Previous injuries

Knee injuries, which involve the tearing of ligaments, meniscus damage, or fractures, can cause cartilage degeneration to speed up. These damages can also result in joint misalignment, which then leads to uneven cartilage wear.

• Obesity

The extra weight overloads the knee joints. If your BMI is 30 and above, your chance of getting knee osteoarthritis is seven times higher than that of the person who has a lower BMI.

• Genetics

Some individuals have a genetic predisposition that makes them more likely to develop osteoarthritis. In such a case, you may have a family history of the disease, and so your risk may be higher.

• Gender

Women, especially women above 55 years of age, are more likely than men to develop osteoarthritis of the knee. This heightened risk is believed to be linked to hormonal changes that occur after menopause.

What are the symptoms of bone-on-bone knee pain?

Bone-on-bone knee pain, which is one of the main symptoms of OA in the knee, could put you in a lot of difficulty while performing daily chores. Here’s a breakdown of the common symptoms you might experience:

• Stiffness

This is particularly evident during the morning or following long periods of inactivity. The knee will be stiff and unbending or awkwardly bending in only one direction, thereby limiting your motion range.

• Pain

The dull or sharp ache is forever a companion in having a bone-on-bone condition. It becomes worse with weight-bearing activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or kneeling.

• Swelling and inflammation

Inflammation around the knee area can give you a swollen feeling and make the joint puffy. This will, in turn, be a limitation on movement and cause more discomfort.

• Grinding or creaking

When the bones come into contact with each other without adequate cushioning by cartilage, you might hear a grinding or grating sound as you move your knee joint.

• Instability

The knee can feel shaky and wobbly, which causes the person to worry that they may buckle or collapse. This instability can cause people to fall, and injuries may continue to happen.

What is the best treatment for bone-on-bone knee pain? 

Non-surgical treatment

Bone-on-bone knee is incurable; however, various approaches can help manage symptoms, improve function, and slow disease progression. Below is an overview of some effective therapies:

• Maintain a healthy weight

Shedding excess pounds that put strain on knee joints will be extremely helpful. Studies have even confirmed this effect of weight loss as an antidote against osteoarthritis symptoms.

• Exercise therapy

Physical activity strengthens the muscles surrounding the knee joint, improves flexibility, and alleviates any associated discomfort. A physical therapist could devise a program with exercises such as swimming, cycling, or walking on soft surfaces for this purpose. 

• Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications

Over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen provide temporary relief of mild-to-moderate discomfort. Furthermore, topical treatments like creams or gels could provide localized comfort solutions.

• Corticosteroid injections

Cortisone injections offer effective pain and inflammation relief by being directly injected into joints. However, their use should only be undertaken as necessary due to potential adverse side effects.

• Hyaluronic acid injections

Hyaluronic acid is an organic component found naturally within healthy cartilage that may be directly injected into knee joints to act both as shock absorption and lubricant, providing temporary respite over six months.

• Use supportive devices

Knee braces can ease the strain on joints by relieving stress, improving stability, and providing greater support in certain conditions. Shoe inserts known as orthotics may also come in handy, as correcting abnormal foot alignment could help distribute pressure more evenly over your knee.

• Physical and occupational therapy

Physical therapists play an essential role in relieving bone-on-bone knee pain by teaching exercises designed to strengthen muscles and increase flexibility and range of motion. Occupational therapists help by suggesting modifications or assistive devices designed to alleviate strain on your joints and ease stressors.

Surgical treatment 

Although non-surgical approaches tend to be the preferred method of relieving bone-on-bone knee pain, surgery is sometimes required in certain instances. Here is an overview of the major surgical approaches:

• Cartilage grafting

This procedure involves implanting healthy cartilage tissue from another part of your knee or from donors directly into damaged areas in order to fill gaps and restore functionality. This method is usually best suited for younger individuals suffering from small patches of cartilage loss.

• Knee osteotomy

Knee osteotomy surgery works to realign leg bones and redistribute pressure away from an injured area of the knee joint, offering relief to individuals suffering from bowlegs or knock knees. Though osteotomy delays total knee replacement surgeries, it does not restore lost cartilage.

• Partial knee replacement

When only part of a knee joint has become severely injured, partial replacement surgery is the optimal solution. Artificial implants would replace only damaged areas while leaving healthy structures undisturbed. Rehabilitation post-surgery will play a significant role in helping recover strength and mobility.

• Total knee replacement

If osteoarthritis severely limits the function of the whole knee joint, total knee replacement is the optimal treatment plan. Undergoing this surgery means replacing all parts of a damaged joint with prosthetic components in order to relieve symptoms and increase functionality. Although highly successful, total knee replacement surgery requires substantial commitment and extended recovery periods. 

Conclusion 

Bone-on-bone knee pain, which is a symptom of osteoarthritis, can, without a doubt, hinder your ability to perform daily activities. Nevertheless, the combination of conservative management approaches and, in some situations, surgical treatment can help you successfully control the pain, enhance mobility, and maintain a dynamic lifestyle.

If you are looking for knee pain treatment near you, Titan Orthopedics is the place where you can get the help you need. Their team of experienced healthcare professionals can give you the best advice and make a plan for you to recover and keep moving forward with confidence. Titan Orthopedics to make an appointment, take control of your knee pain, and empower yourself to live an active life.