Understanding Knee Arthritis and Joint Structure

Dr. Narendra Vaidya, Chairman of Lokmanya Group of Hospitals and Chief Orthopedic Surgeon, provides valuable insights into knee arthritis and its impact on people. His expertise serves patients in Pune, Mumbai, Thane, Kolhapur, and overseas, offering modern treatments and raising public awareness about bone health.

Raising Awareness About Knee Problems

Dr. Vaidya emphasizes the importance of public awareness in preventing and treating joint diseases, especially arthritis. Through education, people can avoid or manage conditions like knee arthritis by seeking timely, advanced treatments. Knee pain and arthritis are increasingly common, affecting 60-70% of people at some point in their lives.

Knee Joint Structure

To understand knee arthritis better, Dr. Vaidya explains the structure of the knee joint. The knee is made up of three main bones:

• Patella (Knee Cap): The bone at the front of the knee joint, also known as the kneecap.
• Femur (Thigh Bone): The upper bone of the leg that forms part of the knee joint.
• Tibia (Shin Bone): The lower leg bone, which also forms part of the knee joint.

Additionally, the knee joint contains four key ligaments that help stabilize it:

• Collateral Ligaments (on the sides)
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL): Located in the center, often injured in sports.
• Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL): A strong ligament at the back of the knee.

A special cushion, called the meniscus, lies between the two bones to absorb shock and prevent friction. This cushioning helps prevent pain and damage to the joint, but it can also be injured, especially in sports.

Cartilage and Its Role in Knee Movement

The smooth articular cartilage on the knee bones ensures that the knee joint moves without pain. When the cartilage is intact, there is no discomfort, even in younger individuals. However, with aging, this cartilage can wear down, leading to a condition called osteoarthritis, which is often responsible for knee pain.

Conclusion

Dr. Vaidya concludes by noting that as people age, the knee joint naturally experiences wear and tear, making it more susceptible to osteoarthritis. In the next video, he will discuss more about osteoarthritis and the modern treatments available for it.