Osteoarthritis symptoms: Do you make a clicking sound when you bend your knees? Do you ever hear a cracking or popping sound in your knees? If yes, then be careful because it can be a sign of a serious disease like osteoarthritis, which affects the knees and other joints. This disease usually occurs with increasing age, causing unbearable pain in the knees and difficulty in walking.
In osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, the cartilage (protective layer of bone joints) present in the joints begins to deteriorate. As a result, crepitus (cracking, grating or popping sound) is heard in the knees. Recent research has proved that these sounds indicate the progression of osteoarthritis, and there is no pain in the initial stage, but this condition can gradually become serious.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are more than 100 types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the most common type. This disease usually occurs after the age of 50-60 years, however, in women it can also start at the age of 40-50 years. Apart from this, those who are overweight can also be at risk of this disease.
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis can be the following:
Mild or severe pain in joints.
Stiffness and swelling in joints.
Increase of pain after physical exertion.
As the disease progresses, pain persists even at rest.
Feeling weakness in joints.
Sometimes a creaking or grating sound is heard from the knees.
According to health experts, crepitus or crackling sound in the knees occurs when the cartilage of the knees starts breaking down and the bones start rubbing against each other. This sound is heard but there is no pain, but it can lead to the risk of osteoarthritis.
Aged – As age increases, the risk of arthritis increases.
Women are more at risk than men – Women are more likely to become victims of this disease.
Overweight or Obesity – Being overweight puts pressure on the knees, which can increase this problem.
Injuries in sports or any accident – Injuries can also increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
Genetic Factor – This disease can also occur due to genetic reasons in some cases.
