The Progressive Stages of Knee Osteoarthritis: Understanding the Journey of Joint Degeneration!

Hello Everyone!

In my previous blog, we explored some important facts about Osteoarthritis and how it affects millions of people in India and around the world.

Knee osteoarthritis is a condition that can slowly and silently take a toll on your daily life. Whether it starts with minor stiffness or occasional discomfort, it has the potential to progress over time, affecting your mobility and overall quality of life. Understanding the stages of knee osteoarthritis is crucial to recognizing the signs early and taking action to slow down its progression.

In this blog, I’ll explain each stage of knee osteoarthritis and its impact on your knee joint, & cartilage. helping you better manage the condition and maintain joint health.

There are 4 stages of osteoarthritis. The disease begins in stage 1 and is at its peak in stage 4. All these stages have different symptoms.

Stage 1: Minor (Early Stage)

When stage 1 occurs, very mild and normal symptoms are seen in a person. In this, usually you feel some enlargement of the bones near the joints of the bones, that is, abnormal growth in the bones.

• Impact on Joints: In the early stage, there are minimal signs of joint damage. The cartilage remains largely intact, but there may be slight wear and tear. The joint space is still normal.

• Symptoms: Mild or no pain, occasional discomfort, and slight stiffness after long periods of inactivity.
• Treatment Focus: At this stage, lifestyle modifications such as weight management and low-impact exercise can help manage the condition. Anti-inflammatory medications or supplements may also be recommended.

Stage 2: Mild (Moderate Stage)

Symptoms become more prominent in stage 2 osteoarthritis. When any bones or several bones are seen growing excessively on the joints, the doctor detects it through X-ray. In stage 2 osteoarthritis, tibial spiking is usually seen in the bones but the cartilage is healthy at this time. In this stage, the synovial fluid usually found in the joints is also sufficient due to which you do not face any problem in walking, sitting up, bending the knees etc.

But stage 2 patients usually suffer from joint pain while walking too much or doing too much hard work, or sometimes they complain of pain due to sitting at one place for hours or lying down.

• Impact on Joints: In this stage, the cartilage begins to thin, and small bone spurs (osteophytes) may develop. The joint space starts to narrow, indicating mild joint damage.
• Symptoms: Increased joint stiffness, particularly after resting or upon waking up. Some pain after physical activity, but it's manageable.
• Treatment Focus: Physical therapy, strength training, and joint-supporting supplements like New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel Extract & Glucosamine can help slow the progression. Regular exercise and joint protection strategies are essential.

Stage 3: Moderate

This is the middle stage. In this stage, the patient's cartilage starts getting affected little by little and the space between the bones starts shrinking. Patients with stage 3 osteoarthritis often complain of pain while walking or bending. Their bones often become stiff after sitting for a long time. The problem of swelling in joints can also be seen after walking and hard work.

• Impact on Joints: Significant cartilage erosion occurs, and the joint space continues to narrow. The bones in the knee begin to rub against each other, causing more friction and damage.
• Symptoms: Persistent pain, swelling, and stiffness. Pain becomes more noticeable during regular activities like walking, bending, or standing for extended periods.
• Treatment Focus: Stronger pain relief medications, Corticosteroid injections, and physical therapy. Assistive devices like knee braces may be recommended. Supplements like New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel Extract may slow down the progression of joint damage

Stage 4: Severe (End-Stage Osteoarthritis)

By stage 4, osteoarthritis becomes “severe”. Stage 4 patients have to face severe pain in this disease. In this stage, it becomes very difficult for the patient to walk as severe pain is felt just by moving the limbs here and there.

In this stage, the space between the bones between the joints shrinks a lot and the cartilage is almost completely destroyed. The synovial fluid between the patient's bones also reduces significantly. Due to which the lubrication between the bones gets lost.

• Impact on Joints: By this stage, the cartilage has worn away almost completely, and the joint space is severely reduced. The joint is severely damaged and often leads to deformity. Bones are rubbing directly against each other, causing significant pain and inflammation.
• Symptoms: Chronic pain, severe stiffness, swelling, and limited mobility. Activities like walking, climbing stairs, or even standing become very difficult. The joint may feel unstable, and the person may struggle with daily tasks.
• Treatment Focus: At this stage, surgery such as knee replacement may be necessary to restore function and reduce pain.

Knee osteoarthritis can become a long and painful journey if not managed early. Each stage of OA gradually worsens joint damage, highlighting the importance of timely diagnosis and intervention. Taking action in the early stages can significantly slow down joint deterioration, helping to preserve both mobility and your overall quality of life.

"Remember, it’s never too late to start caring for your joints. Stay active and make lifestyle changes that will support your knees through every stage of life."

 

Upcoming blog: Know about your Knee!