People often mistakenly associate knee arthritis with older age. It can affect youngsterstoo. Its early signs could be subtle and probably mistaken for routine aches and pains due to exercise. It is their early recognition that makes all the difference in the treatment of that condition and having a healthy, active life. The following guide by knee replacement specialist in Delhi considers the first signs that could indicate arthritis in a young person’s knees and will help you know what to look for and when to seek an appointment with your doctor.

Early signs of arthritis of the knee in young people by orthopedician in Dwarka, Delhi

Pain 

Pain is among the early signs of knee arthritis. It can be a sharp ache or soreness inside the knee, mostly after specific stressful activities such as running or sitting for long. The pain may get worse when you move your knee or stand on it, which somewhat complicates frequent actions. Entailing persistent knee discomfort is essential since it may be an early warning to the body that arthritis or some other reason for the pain could be developing.

Swelling of Knees

Swelling in the knee occurs when the area surrounding the knee becomes puffy or swollen, usually owing to fluid buildup. It can make your knee appear larger than usual and may feel heated to the touch. This swelling can occur as a result of inflammation within the knee joint, which is a common indication of arthritis. You may sense it more after being active or even sitting quietly. Swelling can make your knee feel tight and difficult to move, so pay attention to this symptom and consult a doctor if it occurs frequently.

Stiffness in Knee joint

The term stiffness in the knee means that your joint feels rigid and hard to move, more importantly, after resting for some time. For instance, you may have trouble bending or straightening your knee at the time of getting up from bed in the morning or from sitting for a long period. This typical morning stiffness improves with movement but can make simple activities like walking, climbing stairs, or getting up from a seated position more challenging. Recurrent stiffness, mostly in your knees, may be a forerunner of arthritis, and thus you should seek medical intervention if it persists or occurs quite frequently.

Reduced mobility is among the signs of arthritis

You find that your knee is less mobile, flexible and readily movable than it used to be. Maybe you are suffering a little difficulty in bending or straightening your knee fully. It becomes hard to walk, climb stairs, sit, or stand in such a case. Stiffness in your knee may be more marked in the morning or after you sit for a long time. The most common first sign that arthritis of the knee may be present is a diminished range of motion, and it will let a person know whether the joint is becoming significantly less flexible due to inflammation or injury.

Weakness or instability 

You feel unbalanced—at times, as though the knee will buckle when walking or standing. It is in case the weakness or instability of the knee is such that the muscles that support it are less strong than they should be, and the actual joint is not stiff enough. You may especially feel this while getting up and down stairs or from a seated position. It’s a signal that something isn’t quite right in the knee, and it’s important to pay attention to this by seeing a doctor if this is occurring all the time.

Crackling sound of bones

If you move your knee or any other joint too much and it makes cracking or popping sounds, these could be the first signals of arthritis. The noise is caused by “crepitus,” because the smooth cartilage that pads your knee joints has roughened or worn down. When this happens, the bones and tissues of your knee rub on each other, which causes the noises. While these are not always uncomfortable sounds, at times, they can be indicative that there is something wrong inside your knee and that you must visit a doctor.

Warmth or inflammation 

Warmth in your knee suggests that the joint is inflamed. It happens when arthritis makes the tissues around your knee swollen and inflamed. It may feel warmer to the touch when compared to other parts of the body. That warmth is the means your body has of letting you know that something is going wrong in the joint. Similar to the way your skin feels warm if you have a fever. If you have warmth in your knee, sometimes accompanied by other symptoms like pain or swelling, you should see a doctor.

One should never overlook chronic pain, swelling, stiffness, increased limitation in the range of motion, or warmth in the knee since these could be indicative of the development of arthritis.

You can book an appointment with a orthopedician in Dwarka Delhi to know more.