Osteoarthritis of the knee in people over 50 - how do genetics, rheumatic diseases and trauma affect the development of the condition?

Knee degeneration is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions affecting people over the age of 50. The problem occurs in both men and women, and its development significantly affects daily functioning - limiting dexterity, causing pain and reducing the comfort of life. In order to fight it more effectively, it is worth knowing what knee degeneration is, what its most common causes are, and how genetics, rheumatic diseases and past injuries contribute to the condition.

From this article you will learn:

• What is knee degeneration?
• Knee degeneration - causes
• How does knee degeneration manifest itself?
• Treatment and prevention of knee degeneration
• Knee degeneration - modern treatment methods
• Summary - knee degeneration

What is knee degeneration?

Knee degeneration, also known as osteoarthritis of the knee, is a chronic degenerative process in which there is a gradual destruction of articular cartilage. This cartilage acts as a "shock absorber" - it protects bone surfaces from friction and allows smooth movement. When it begins to wear down, pain, stiffness and reduced mobility occur.

The disease develops slowly, and its first symptoms are often underestimated. In people over 50, the risk increases due to the natural aging process, reduced tissue regeneration and the accumulation of previous microtrauma.

Knee degeneration - causes

Although age is one of the main risk factors, the causes of knee degeneration can be varied. Here are the most important of them.

• Genetic conditions. Studies indicate that the causes of osteoarthritis of the knee may be hereditary. People with a family history of osteoarthritis are more likely to struggle with the condition. Genetics can affect, among other things, the structure of the knee, the quality of cartilage or the body's collagen economy.
• Rheumatic diseases. Inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout, accelerate the degeneration of joint cartilage. Long-term inflammation weakens joint structures and leads to faster development of degeneration.
• Past injuries. Fractures, dislocations or damage to the ligaments of the knee in youth can become a direct cause of premature development of osteoarthritis. Injuries lead to instability of the joint, disrupt its biomechanics and cause excessive stress on the cartilage.
• Additional factors. Osteoarthritis can also be caused by other factors, such as obesity (excessive stress on the joints), a sedentary lifestyle, strain from hard physical labor or intense sports, and hormonal disorders (such as menopause in women).

How does knee degeneration manifest itself?

The most common symptoms include:

• Knee pain that worsens during exertion,
• Stiffness of the joint, especially in the morning,
• Limitation of range of motion,
• Crackling and "skipping" in the knee,
• Swelling in the joint area.

Initially, symptoms occur sporadically, but over time they become a daily problem and can even lead to significant disability.

Treatment and prevention of knee degeneration

For knee osteoarthritis, the goal of treatment is to slow the progression of the disease, relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Uses include:

• Physiotherapy and muscle-strengthening exercises,
• Analgesic and anti-inflammatory pharmacotherapy,
• Delivery injections (hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma),
• Surgical procedures (endoprosthesis in advanced cases).

Prevention includes maintaining a healthy body weight, regular physical activity tailored to one's abilities, and avoiding overloading the joint.

Knee degeneration - modern treatment methods

1. low-dose radiotherapy

Low-dose radiation therapy (3 Gy in six sessions) can effectively relieve pain and improve knee joint function in patients with mild to moderate arthritis. Compared to placebo, 70% of patients showed improvement after radiation therapy, compared to 42% in the placebo group.

2. geniculation therapy (GAE)

An innovative method involving embolization of the geniculate arteries is showing promising results in treating pain associated with advanced knee degeneration. A study in Germany showed a 71% reduction in pain and an 87% improvement in quality of life in patients following the procedure.

3. supplementation and supportive medicines

Although supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, DMSO, SAMe or curcumin are popular in the treatment of OA, their effectiveness varies and depends on the quality of the preparations. It is important to remember that these supplements can support treatment, but do not replace drug therapy or physiotherapy.

4. delivery injections

Hyaluronic acid injections can improve joint lubrication and reduce pain. However, their effectiveness is controversial, with some studies suggesting limited effectiveness compared to other treatments.

Summary - knee degeneration

What is knee degeneration? In people over 50, it's a serious health problem that can result from a number of factors - from genetics to rheumatic diseases to injuries. Awareness of the causes and early recognition of the symptoms allow the appropriate treatment to be implemented sooner and keep you fit for longer.

It is worth remembering that knee osteoarthritis is one form of a broader condition, Osteoarthritis, affecting various components of the musculoskeletal system. Appropriate prevention and regular medical care can significantly delay the development of the disease and improve the comfort of patients' lives.

And if you want to see how the treatment of knee osteoarthritis went for our patients, we invite you to watch the story of Witold and Joanna.