Could My Knee Arthritis be Caused by Genetics?

Arthritis is a common disorder among adults, causing inflammation and breakdown of the cartilage in the joints throughout the body. Although arthritis typically starts in the hands and wrists, it can affect any joint in the body and cause debilitating, painful symptoms. At Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta, Dr. Christopher Williams works with patients throughout Atlanta, GA, providing customized treatment plans to alleviate arthritic symptoms and improve their daily function.

What is knee arthritis?

Knee arthritis is inflammation and breakdown of cartilage in the knee joint. Symptoms are usually minimal to begin with and become gradually painful with time. In severe cases of knee arthritis, the cartilage wears away, causing the knee joints to move bone-on-bone, which severely restricts the range of motion for walking and other forms of mobility. At Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta, Dr. Williams helps patients identify and diagnose the type of arthritis affecting their knees and how to appropriately treat their symptoms before long-lasting damage can occur.

Symptoms of knee arthritis

Although symptoms may vary by person, common signs of knee arthritis include:

• Redness or swelling at the knee joint

• Persistent pain at the knee, particularly in the morning

• Pain at the knee worsens with cold weather or strenuous activities

• Pain may worsen with prolonged sitting

• Stiffness and decreased flexibility at the knee joint

What causes knee arthritis?

There are multiple causal factors for arthritis, depending on the person and the type of arthritis, including:

• Gender (women are usually at higher risk for developing arthritis)

• Joint injuries

• Obesity

• Age

• Genetics

• Certain lifestyle and dietary choices

Could my knee arthritis be caused by genetics?

In some cases, family history can determine if an individual is at higher risk for developing arthritis. Men and women can take proactive measures by examining their family history and consulting with a physician about preventive care before arthritic symptoms can occur.

Ways to prevent knee arthritis

For some adults, certain factors that are linked to arthritis are beyond their control (age, sex, genetics). However, there are ways to prevent or slow symptoms of knee arthritis down, including:

• Maintaining a healthy weight

• Eating nutritious meals

• Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol use

• Exercising regularly

• Avoiding repetitive injury to certain joints (i.e., squatting at the knees, bending at the back, etc.)

Treatment options available for knee arthritis

At Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta, Dr. Williams and his team of specialists offer patients with arthritis a wide variety of treatments to help alleviate symptoms and to improve daily function. Commonly recommended treatments include:

• Medications

• Steroid injections

• Occupational therapy

• Physical therapy

• Subchondral injections

Treatment plans are based on thorough assessments of your arthritis joints via the use of x-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to identify underlying medical concerns. If current treatments prove to be ineffective for your symptoms, Dr. Williams may recommend more aggressive interventions to restore your mobility.

Learn more about knee arthritis and treatment options

If you reside in or near Atlanta, GA and are living with debilitating symptoms of knee arthritis and would like to learn more about available treatment options, contact us at Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta and schedule a consultation today. Dr. Christopher Williams will work with you to create a customized, holistic interventional approach to restore your mobility and enhance your quality of life.