Expert: Gerald Anzalone, D.C. - 11/6/2011

Question
I am 26 years and old and consider myself to be overweight. I weigh 13 1/2 stone and I'm 5ft 7" tall. Over recent years I have been experiencing an aching pain and slight swelling in my left knee, especially when its cold. It first appeared around 3 years ago and seems to reappear during winter or when its cold. I have tried resting my leg and also tried painkillers such as paracetamol to take away the pain, both are affective, but it reappears either after resting or the painkillers wear off. Could there be a problem or could I have a possible medical condition?.

Answer
Hi Stephen,

Thank you for your question. My original response seems not to have gone through, so I am responding again to your inquiry.

I can't diagnose your condition over the Interet, but for general information purposes, your symptoms appear consistent with knee osteoarthritis. I recomomend seeing your primary care physician for appropriate evaluation, which may involve a two or three view radiographic series (x-rays).

In general, non-heavy impact exercise (such as walking) and non-weight-bearing exercise (such as pool therapy) and weight loss are very helpful in slowing down the progression of osteoarthritis. Obesity and poor diet make the situation worse. The severity of the condition determines the treatment approach.

Conservative management generally consists of anti-inflammatory medication, physiotherapy, and light to moderate exercise. More severe conditions may warrant a corticosteroid joint injection followed by physiotherapy; some more advanced presentations of osteoarthritis may benefit from injections of Hylan G-F 20, a compound similar to synovial fluid, a substance that occurs naturally in the joints. Synovial fluid acts as a lubricant and shock absorber. Bone-on-bone cases, the result of severe, advanced degenerative change, require total knee replacements (usually seen in people in their 60s and older).

Here are some links for additional information regarding osteoarthritis in general and knee OA in particular:

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/0301/p841.html

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/osteoarthritis/article_em.htm

I hope that this helps to answer your question. Best of luck.