The Knee Diaries: Degenerative Joint Disease
September 25th 2006 |
A 65 year old male with chief
complaint of knee pain, presenting with
bone on bone osteoarthritis of left knee was referred to
us by his physician for prevention of total knee
replacement. Patient past history is positive for a
Basketball injury in 1980, which was followed by a knee
surgery.
He is otherwise healthy, does not smoke and drinks only
on social bases. There is no family history of
osteoarthritis.
His symptoms are specific to pain, stairs specially
bother him. He experiences stiffness after sitting more
than 10 minutes. On the exam the knee is extremely
bowlegged.
Discussion:
Bowlegged ness produces
a disturbance in the biomechanics of the knee and
misalignment between the involved muscular skeleton
system . This contributes to Degenerative Joint
Disease. A recent Northwestern University study
concluded that people with arthritis or DJD
(Degenerative Joint Disease) whose knees are
misalignment with their ankles and feet have up to five
times the risk of their getting worse.
It is very
important for the knee to be be aligned properly.
Patients who become bowlegged is usually because of more
pressure on the medial (inner aspect of the) knees. This
condition is also known as "Genu Varus." This
abnormal distribution of weight causes wearing of the
cartilage and joint to accelerate and makes arthritis
worse. In this condition legs are bowed outwards in the
standing position .
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