Two basic types of arthritis may cause knee pain: osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis. Osteoarthritis pain is caused by cartilage that cushions the bones of the knee start to erode, eventually allow the bones of the joint to grind or rub together.

In rheumatoid arthritis the pain is caused by cartilage that wears away and the cushioning fluid in the joint (the synovium) becomes inflamed (swollen)- inflammation causes chemicals to be released that damage the cartilage and bone of the affected joint.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Testing
• Plain X-rays
• Lab Work
• MRI

Diagnosis: A targeted history and physical examination combined with appropriate testing should help the clinician identify and properly treat this condition. Treatment: Drug Therapy Physical Therapy Heat and Cold Therapy Knee Injection with Steroid and/or Hyaluronic Acid

Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa, a small sac of fluid that cushions and lubricates an area where joint-related tissues—including bone, tendon, ligament, muscle, or skin—rub against one another.

The types of bursitis that can be diagnosed in the knee are:

• Suprapatellar Bursitis
• Prepatellar Bursitis
• Superficial Infrapatellar Bursitis
• Deep Infrapatellar Bursitis
• Pes Anserine Bursitis
• Signs and Symptoms:
• Achy Pain
• Stiffness
• Burning

Testing: Plain X-rays MRI Electromyography Diagnosis: A targeted history and physical examination combined with appropriate testing should help the clinician identify and properly treat this condition.

Treatments: Drug Therapy Knee Brace Injection of the Bursa