Arthritis pain can begin suddenly, but it is most likely to develop gradually over time. You may first experience pain when waking up in the morning or when you stand up after sitting for a while. Eventually you may notice that the pain has taken control over your ability to complete everyday tasks. It may hurt to walk, climb stairs, or even sit down. You may not be able to bend or straighten your knee as you once could. You may also feel a grinding sensation in your knee or popping and cracking sounds when you walk. Arthritis can even wake you up in your sleep. The appearance of your knee may change and become deformed due to the breakdown of the joint.
There may come a time when you decide that you need help. Please speak with your physician if your symptoms for arthritis aren’t responding to non-surgical solutions, or your pain can no longer be controlled by medication and is unbearable. The most common surgical knee intervention performed for treatment of OA (Osteoarthritis) is a total knee replacement. During the procedure, the natural knee joint is removed and replaced with an artificial implant. This treatment option is usually offered to patients with advanced osteoarthritis of the knee.