Noisy knee joints 'may be a sign of osteoarthritis'

This study suggests that if these people have noisy knees, they are at higher risk for developingpain within the next year, compared with the people who do not have noisy knees. "Future studies that target people who have X-ray signs of osteoarthritis, who do not complain of pain but do report noisy knees hold the promise of identifying interventions that can prevent knee pain." Arthritis Research UK's view Natalie Carter, head of research liaison and evaluation at Arthritis Research UK, said:"Osteoarthritis of the knee affects more than four million people in the UK and can cause daily pain and fatigue. "We know that some of the first signs of osteoarthritis, other than pain and stiffness, can be a creaking, crunching or grinding sensation when you move the joint. Osteoarthritis of the knee affects different people in different ways, so we can't predict how it'll progress. That's why early detection is important in finding more effective treatment. "The findings of this study highlight the importance of looking at symptoms other than just pain and stiffness. If anyone does experience pain or stiffness in their joints, we would advise them to speak to their GP."
Source: Arthritis Research UK - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news