Knee Arthritis Treatment in Mount Pleasant, SC
Knee arthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic knee pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Whether your symptoms make it difficult to walk, climb stairs, exercise, or enjoy everyday activities, early evaluation and personalized treatment can help relieve pain and preserve joint function. Blake Ohlson, M.D. provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for knee arthritis in Mount Pleasant, SC, helping patients improve mobility and maintain an active lifestyle.
Knee arthritis develops when the protective cartilage within the joint gradually wears away, causing the bones to rub together. Dr. Ohlson offers individualized treatment plans based on the severity of your arthritis, symptoms, and activity goals. Treatment options may include lifestyle modifications, physical therapy, medications, regenerative medicine, injections, or joint replacement surgery when appropriate. Patients throughout Mount Pleasant, Charleston, and Summerville trust Dr. Ohlson for advanced orthopedic care focused on reducing pain and improving long-term knee function.
What is Knee Arthritis?
The joint surface is covered by a smooth articular surface that allows pain-free movement in the joint. Arthritis is a general term covering numerous conditions where the joint surface or cartilage wears out. This surface can wear out for several reasons; often the definite cause is not known. Arthritis often affects the knee joint. When the articular cartilage wears out, the bone ends rub on one another and cause pain. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. It occurs with aging and use.
What are the Causes of Knee Arthritis?
There are numerous conditions that can cause arthritis but often the exact cause is never known. In general, but not always, it affects people as they get older (osteoarthritis). Other causes include:
- Trauma (fracture)
- Increased stress such as overuse and overweight
- Infection of the bone
- Connective tissue disorders
- Inactive lifestyle and obesity (overweight). Your weight is the single most important link between diet and arthritis, as being overweight puts an additional burden on your hips, knees, ankles, and feet.
- Inflammation (rheumatoid arthritis)
What are the Symptoms of Knee Arthritis?
Knee arthritis causes pain and decreased mobility of the knee joint. The cartilage lining is thinner than normal or completely absent. In the arthritic knee, there is an absent joint space that shows on X-ray. In the normal knee, there is a normal joint space. The capsule of the arthritic knee is swollen. The degree of cartilage damage and inflammation varies with the type and stage of arthritis. Bone spurs or excessive bone can also build up around the edges of the joint. The combinations of these factors make the arthritic knee stiff and limit activities due to pain or fatigue.
How is Knee Arthritis Diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose knee arthritis with a medical history, a physical examination, and X-rays of the affected joint. During the physical examination, your doctor will examine the affected joint for swelling, pain, tenderness, and assess the joint’s range of motion. An X-ray of the knee may show a loss of the joint space and bone spur formation.
There is no blood test for knee arthritis.
What is the Treatment for Knee Arthritis?
There is no known cure for knee arthritis. However, there are several treatments and lifestyle modifications that can help you ease your pain and symptoms. The objective of the treatment is to reduce pain, improve joint movement, and prevent further damage to the joint. The treatment of knee arthritis involves:
Medications: Medications may include different classes such as anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injections, artificial joint fluid injections, and other drugs.
Lifestyle modifications:
Some of the lifestyle modifications include:
- A moderate exercise program
- Use of heat or cold treatments
- Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet
- Getting adequate rest
- Losing weight
- Protecting your joints with the use of assistive devices such as splints or braces to support the weakened joints
Physical therapy: Your physical therapist will teach you exercises to keep joints flexible and improve muscle strength.
Surgery: Surgery is usually considered if non-surgical treatment fails to provide relief. Joint replacement surgery is considered as an option when the pain is so severe that it affects your ability to carry out normal activities.
Why Choose Dr. Blake Ohlson for Knee Arthritis Treatment in Mount Pleasant, SC?
Living with knee arthritis can significantly impact your quality of life, but the right treatment can help you stay active and independent. Dr. Blake Ohlson combines advanced orthopedic expertise with personalized care to develop treatment plans that address each patient's unique condition and goals.
Patients in Mount Pleasant, SC choose Dr. Ohlson because he offers:
- Fellowship-trained expertise in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine
- Comprehensive evaluation of all stages of knee arthritis
- Advanced imaging and diagnostic techniques for accurate diagnosis
- Personalized treatment plans tailored to your symptoms and lifestyle
- Comprehensive non-surgical options, including physical therapy, injections, and regenerative medicine when appropriate
- Expertise in minimally invasive and joint-preserving treatment options
- Advanced knee replacement surgery for patients with severe arthritis
- Coordinated rehabilitation focused on restoring mobility, strength, and function
- Convenient care for patients throughout Mount Pleasant, Charleston, and Summerville
Dr. Ohlson's goal is to help patients reduce pain, improve movement, and delay or avoid surgery whenever possible while providing advanced surgical care when it becomes the best option.
Knee Arthritis FAQs
What is knee arthritis?
Knee arthritis occurs when the protective cartilage inside the knee joint wears down over time, causing pain, stiffness, inflammation, and decreased mobility. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of knee arthritis.
What causes knee arthritis?
Common causes include age-related wear and tear, previous knee injuries, fractures, obesity, repetitive stress, inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, infections, and certain connective tissue disorders.
What are the symptoms of knee arthritis?
Symptoms often include knee pain, stiffness, swelling, decreased range of motion, difficulty walking, grinding sensations, bone spurs, and discomfort during everyday activities such as climbing stairs or standing for long periods.
How is knee arthritis diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically includes a medical history, physical examination, and X-rays to evaluate cartilage loss, joint space narrowing, and bone spur formation. Additional imaging may be recommended in certain cases.
Can knee arthritis be treated without surgery?
Yes. Many patients successfully manage knee arthritis with activity modification, weight management, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, injections, braces, and regenerative medicine therapies when appropriate.
When is knee replacement surgery recommended?
Knee replacement may be considered when severe arthritis causes persistent pain, significantly limits daily activities, and no longer responds to comprehensive non-surgical treatment.
Can losing weight help knee arthritis?
Yes. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces stress on the knee joints, which may decrease pain, improve mobility, and slow the progression of arthritis.
Is exercise safe if I have knee arthritis?
Yes. Low-impact activities and a structured physical therapy program can strengthen the muscles supporting the knee, improve flexibility, reduce stiffness, and help maintain joint function.
Schedule a Knee Arthritis Evaluation in Mount Pleasant, SC
If knee pain and stiffness are limiting your ability to enjoy everyday life, you don't have to continue living with discomfort. Early diagnosis and personalized treatment can help relieve pain, improve mobility, and protect your joint health.
Schedule your appointment with Dr. Ohlson for expert evaluation and treatment of knee arthritis in Mount Pleasant, SC. Proudly serving patients throughout Mount Pleasant, Charleston, Summerville, and surrounding South Carolina communities, Dr. Ohlson provides comprehensive orthopedic care using the latest non-surgical and surgical treatment options to help you move comfortably and stay active.