One of the common types of arthritis that can cause knee joint pain is rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an autoimmune disease that causes your body to attack your joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis in the knee causes pain, stiffness, swelling, lose of motion, and thickening and swelling of the tissues inside the knee.

In the knees of rheumatoid patient’s, the immune system can cause inflammation of synovial membranes releasing inflammatory chemicals in the fluid that cause cartilage destruction creating pain and swelling. The swelling is from increased fluid production and the overgrowth of the synovial lining of the knee. Over time, RA can result in significant cartilage and knee joint damage and bony changes that can limit function.

Unlike osteoarthritis that is a degenerative arthritis, an can affect just one joint, rheumatoid arthritis commonly attacks both knees at the same time and usually affects many other joints at the same time.

Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis Of The Knee

There are now many different treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with RA are usually under the care of a rheumatologist and are treated with several medications that can reduce the destructive effects of the disease.

However, when the disease has become severe and the pain is no longer controlled with the medications available, knee RA can require knee replacement surgery. Total Knee replacement is the only surgical option for most patients when the disease has damaged the knee to reduce the pain and restore mobility and knee function.

Dr. Buechel offers surgical treatment for knee rheumatoid arthritis patients using the Mako Robotic Total Knee Replacement system. If you suffer from knee rheumatoid arthritis, contact our office to schedule a virtual consultation or an office visit to discuss your situation.