The two most common types of knee arthritis are called Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Osteoarthritis (OA). The former is a progressive condition where the knee joint cartilage slowly wears away. OA most often happens after midlife. In comparison, RA is an inflammatory condition that can develop regardless of age. It is categorized as an autoimmune disease. Many people get arthritis after a knee injury, such as a torn meniscus, knee fracture, or ligament injury.

Your local knee doctor can let you know whether Fluid Flow Regenerative Medicine Therapy could benefit you. Here are signs that it’s probably time to consider this non-surgical alternative for treating your knee arthritis:

Gradual Increase in Pain

Arthritis pain tends to begin slowly, but there are instances where it can appear suddenly. Initially, you may observe pain in the morning after waking up, when rising from a seated position, or when kneeling. The pain may still be present even when you are sitting or resting, and you may find it unbearable to go on walks.

For RA in particular, symptoms usually start in smaller joints and are more likely to affect each side of the body symmetrically. The joint may have a reddish color around it and feel warm to the touch. With OA, symptoms may develop rapidly or over the course of many years, depending on the person. Factors that can make it worsen are stress, excessive movement, and cold weather.

Tenderness and Swelling

Knee arthritis can cause inflammation. With OA, symptoms can include soft swelling or hard swelling, in addition to swelling that is more noticeable after being inactive for an extended period of time (like waking up in the morning). Swelling is also common in RA, along with other symptoms such as tiredness, fever, and generally not feeling well.